Homeless kitten with broken leg

I work for a hospice agency and a resident of one of the Assisted Living Facilities I visit captured a kitten that is about 6 weeks old. The kitten has an obviously broken front leg. The resident cannot afford to treat the kitten's broken leg and cannot keep the cat in the facility. I was wondering if anybody knows approximately what the cost is to amputate the leg of a kitten. In my preliminary reserach I have seen anywhere from $200 and up. Also, if I take this kitten to the Humane Society is it likely they would keep the kitten and cover the cost of the surgery? Or would the euthanize the kitten? I already have 2 cats, one of which is diabetic and receives very pricey insulin injections twice per day and I cannot afford to pay for this poor little kitten's surgery. Nor do I have the space to keep another cat. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

There are organizations that help people that cannot afford emergency medical care. The application process is sometimes rather extensive and the types of cases they help are quite specific but it doesn't hurt looking into that. I know that there is one organization that especially helps good samaritans that have found an injured or sick animal. Give me a little bit of time and I'll dig up the names and contact info to a few organizations.

As far as your question about the Humane Society goes it varies a lot from place to place. Different shelters are ran very differently. Some would definitely euthanize any animal that comes in with a broken leg while others will go above and beyond to help any animal that comes in. Privately ran shelters tend to be much better when it comes to things like this. City or county shelters are usually ran on a small budget and are therefore high kill. The best thing you can do is to call and ask. They should be honest with you.
You don't have to stop at your local shelter for help. Also call other shelters in the area - as far as you are willing to drive - to see if any of them can help. Try rescues too. Most rescues communicate with people mainly via e-mail so to get a jump on things I'd start e-mailing as many as you can tonight. Even if they can't take the kitten they may be able to point you in the right direction. The best way to find local shelters and rescues is to do a search on www.petfinder.com . On the left hand side of the screen there is a place where it says "Find Animal Welfare Groups". Put in your zip code and you'll find what is in your area. Most shelters and rescues are very full so in order to find one that can help you it's best to contact many places.
If you can foster the kitten it may be easier to find a rescue that will help. If that's the case you should mention that in the emails.

Would you mind telling us where you are located? Maybe someone that reads this is in your area and can help you.

If you are able to pay for it yourself in installments you could always use Carecredit. Most vets take care credit. If you explain the situation you may evenbe able to find a sympathetic vet that will give you a deal.

Thank you for caring for this little kitten. He's lucky to have found you.

Here is the complete list that I have of organizations. Some don't apply to you but you can weed through them yourself. Go to their websites to read their funding requirements. I'm posting all of them in case they can help someone else too.

American Animal Hospital Association
> http://www.aahahelpingpets.org/home/
> "The heartbreak happens all too often ? a pet owner is unable to
> afford treatment and their sick or injured companion animal pays the
> price. If the owner is elderly, disabled or on a fixed income, the
> cost of care may be too much of a stretch for their pocketbook.
> Perhaps they have been victimized by crime, property loss or a job
> layoff and are experiencing a temporary financial hardship ? making it
> too difficult to afford pet care. And some animals, brought to clinics
> by Good Samaritans, don't have an owner to pay for treatment. Whatever
> the situation, the fact remains the same: When sick or injured animals
> are unable to receive veterinary care, they suffer. Through the AAHA
> Helping Pets Fund, veterinary care is possible for sick or injured
> pets even if they have been abandoned or if their owner is
> experiencing financial hardship."
>
> Angels 4 Animals
> www.Angels4Animals.org
> "Angels4Animals, a non-profit organization and a program of Inner
> Voice Community Services, has a mission to serve as the guardian angel
> of animals whose caretakers find themselves in difficult financial
> situations. At Angels4Animals we believe that animal owners should not
> have to say goodbye to the animals that they love. Our work is
> accomplished in conjunction with veterinary clinics across the
> country, eager to assist as many animals, and their owners, as
> possible. Our services range from financial aid to complete treatment
> to those pets and pet owners in need."
>
> Care Credit
> www.carecredit.com
> A credit card company for health care, including veterinary care.
> "CareCredit, the leader in patient/client financing, has helped more
> than 3 million patients/clients get the treatment or procedures they
> needed and wanted. With a comprehensive range of plan options, for
> treatment or procedure fees from $1 to over $25,000, we offer a plan
> and a low monthly payment to fit comfortably into almost every
> budget."
>
> Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance (FVEAP)
> http://www.fveap.org/sys-tmpl/door/
> "The NEED & The HELP: Seniors, People with disabilities, People who
> have lost their job, Good Samaritans who rescue a cat or kitten - any
> of these folks may need financial assistance to save a beloved
> companion."
>
> The Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Program is a nonprofit 501
> (c)(3) organization that provides financial assistance to cat and
> kitten guardians who are unable to afford veterinary services to save
> their companions when life-threatening illness or injury strikes.
>
> Help-A-Pet
> http://www.help-a-pet.org/home.html
> "Our efforts focus on serving the elderly, the disabled, and the
> working poor. For lonely seniors, physically/mentally challenged
> individuals and children of working parents, pets represent much more
> than a diversion."
>
> IMOM
> http://www.imom.org
> "Mission Statement:
> Helping people help pets. To better the lives of sick, injured and
> abused companion animals. We are dedicated to insure that no companion
> animal has to be euthanized simply because their caretaker is
> financially challenged."
>
> The Pet Fund
> http://thepetfund.com/
> "The Pet Fund is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit association that
> provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who need
> urgent veterinary care. Often animals are put down or suffer
> needlessly because their owners cannot afford expensive surgery or
> emergency vet visits. Companion animal owners must often make the
> difficult decision to put an animal down or neglect urgent medical
> needs because of the costs involved. The purpose of the Pet Fund is to
> work towards a future where decisions about companion animal medical
> care need never be made on the basis of cost."
>
> United Animal Nations UAN VET SUPPORT $$$
> http://www.uan.org/lifeline/index.html
> "The mission of LifeLine is to help homeless or recently rescued
> animals suffering from life-threatening conditions that require
> specific and immediate emergency veterinary care. We strive to serve
> Good Samaritans and rescue groups who take in sick or injured animals.
> In certain cases, LifeLine can also assist senior citizens and
> low-income families pay for immediate emergency veterinary care."
>
> UK Assistance with Veterinary Bills (this is in England)
> http://www.petloversonline.co.uk/financial.htm

> "Most of us can cope with the financial commitment involved in the day
> to day care of our pets. However, how many of us come out in a cold
> sweat when our pet is ill or injured and we know we have to take it to
> the vet? Most of us are fortunate enough to be able to afford it but,
> some of us who love our animals dearly cannot. Unfortunately we do not
> have a PDSA or a RSPCA Centre within our area, but there are a few
> charities who may be able to help."
>
> Other Groups Who are Breed or Injury Specific:
>
> Corgi Aid
> http://www.corgiaid.org/ <http://www.corgiaid.org/>
>
> Dachshunds Needing IVDD surgery
> http://members.rushmore.com/~dds/applyforhelp.htm

>

> HandicappedPets.com
> http://www.handicappedpets.com/Articles/help/
> "From time to time, HandicappedPets.com recognizes a caretaker of
> handicapped pets that need some special attention, and a little extra
> help. There are those who are so selflessly dedicated to their animal
> families that they give up a little more than they can afford."
>
> Labrador Lifeline
> http://www.labradorlifeline.org/success/2005-abbey.htm

>
> LabMed: Rx For Rescued Labs
> http://www.labmed.org/aid_main.html

> Organizations that offer financial assistance
>
> GENERAL
>
> In Memory of Magic (IMOM) is dedicated to insuring that no companion
> animal has to be euthanized simply because their caretaker is
> financially challenged.
> http://www.imom.org; <http://www.imom.org;>
> In Memory of Magic
> http://www.imom.org/pin/cases.htm
> IMOM, Inc
> PO Box 282
> Cheltenham, MD 20623
> Phone (866)-230-2164 Fax (301)-599-1852
>
> United Animal Nations established the LifeLine fund in 1997 to aid
> companion animals in times of life-threatening emergencies when their
> caregivers, with low or no incomes, are unable to afford the entire
> cost of treatment.
> http://uan.org/lifeline/index.html
> United Animal Nations
> P.O. Box 188890
> Sacramento, California 95818
> Telephone: (916) 429 2457 fax: (916) 429 2456
>
> Help-A-Pet is a nonprofit organization which provides financial
> assistance for the medical care of pets whose owners are unable to
> afford the expense http://www.help-a-pet.org/home.html
> Help-A-Pet
> P. O. Box 244
> Hinsdale, Illinois 60521
> telephone: (630) 986-9504 fax: (630) 986-9141
>
> Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Programs provides financial
> assistance for emergency medical care for cats.
> http://www.fveap.org/sys-tmpl/door/
>
> FVEAP
> 1641 Elizabeth Lane
> Yuba City, CA 95993
> Fax: 888-301-4264
>
> AREA-SPECIFIC
> California
> Los Angeles area
> Actors and Others for Animals is a Southern California community-based
> organization serving the greater Los Angeles area. Among other
> services, the organization provides financial assistance for emergency
> medical procedures for those of limited income.
> http://www.actorsandothers.com/emergencyhelp.html

> Sue Freeman's Guide to Rescue Cats website contains a list of pet
> financial-assistance resources in Los Angeles and the surrounding area.
> http://rescueguide.com/aid.html
>
> Redwood City area
> Pets In Need provides assistance to low-income individuals for
> veterinary care, including spaying and neutering for their dogs and
> cats, on a funds available basis. Also assists senior citizens with
veterinary care.
> Regular clinics are held at Senior Centers throughout the area. Senior
> citizens can bring their companion pets for an examination by a
> veterinarian and vaccinations for only ten dollars. Low-income seniors
> can also obtain assistance for other more comprehensive veterinary
> care through the Crockett Memorial Fund.
> http://www.petsinneed.org/Services.html

>
> Bay Cities area
> Nike Animal Rescue Foundation (NARF) is fortunate to have many
> hospitals and clinics who offer reduced rates and/or the ability for
> you to pay your veterinary bills on a monthly basis.
> http://www.narfrescue.org/services/v...ry_support.htm

> Colorado
>
> Dreampower Animal Rescue's Forever Home program provides assistance to
> pet owners in need of assistance.
> http://www.dreampower-arf.com/ffriends.cfm
> Harrison Memorial Animal Hospital offers veterinary services to
> individuals, over 60 rescue and shelter groups, and to non-profit
> organizations that are in need of veterinary care for service animals
> or therapy animals. Our team of seven staff veterinarians and our pool
> of referral surgeons allow us to care for critically injured animals
> as well as routine procedures.
> http://www.hmah.org/pageinpage/whatwedo.cfm

>
> Massachusetts
> The Nantucket MSPCA offers a number of subsidy programs that provide
> financial assistance to pet owners.
> http://www.mspca.org/site/pp.asp?c=gtIUK4OSG&b=127232

> New York
> NY SAVE, Inc., serves the pets of New York City residents living in
> Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island by providing
> funds to low-income pet owners whose pets need emergency veterinary care.
> http://www.nysave.org <http://www.nysave.org>
>
> North Carolina
> http://www.ashleyfund.org/
> Oregon
> http://www.bearenfoundation.org/
> Rhode Island
> Volunteer Services For Animals (VSA) is an organization of volunteers
> dedicated to animal well-being and the promotion of the human-animal
> bond through programs of education, advocacy, and assistance. VSA
> provides financial assistance to pet owners for veterinary care.
> http://www.volunteerservicesforanimals.org/

> The website of the Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association has a
> list of agencies that offer financial assistance to pet owners in need.
> http://www.rivma.org/financialaid.html

>
> Washington
> The Good Samaritan Fund at Washington State University's College of
> Veterinary Medicine is used exclusively to treat ownerless or special
> needs animals that, ideally but not exclusively, also present a
> teaching opportunity for the veterinary students.
> http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-prd/gsf.asp

> Utah
> Pet Samaritan Fund provides financial assistance to individuals unable
> to afford medical care for their pet(s).
> http://www.petsamaritan.org/Medical/index.htm

> BREED-SPECIFIC
> If you have a specific breed of dog, contact the national club for
> that breed. In some cases, these clubs offer a veterinary financial
> assistance fund. Here are a few websites for groups that provide
> financial assistance for specific breeds:
> Bernese Mountain Dog http://behaf.com/index.html

> Corgi http://www.corgiaid.org/

> Doberman (special needs) http://www.doberman911.org/

> Great Pyrenees
> http://www.angelfire.com/bc2/pyramedic/summary.html

> Labrador Retriever http://www.labmed.org

> Labrador Retriever http://www.labradorlifeline.org/

> Pit Bull/Staffordshire Terrier
> http://www.pbrc.net/fund/financial.html

> Westies http://www.westiemed.com/

>
> DISEASE-SPECIFIC
>
> Diabetes
> IMOM Diabetic Pet Fund
> http://www.imom.org <http://www.imom.org>
> Diabetic Pet Fund:
> http://www.petdiabetes.net/fund/
>
> Special Needs cats
> Cats in Crisis:
> http://www.catsincrisis.org/crisisFund.html

> Blind Dogs
> IMOM Blind Dogs Fund:
> http://www.imom.org <http://www.imom.org>
>
> Chronic Renal Failure (CRF)
> IMOM Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) Kitties Fund
> http://www.imom.org/funds/crf.htm

> Cats in Crisis Mesa Fund
> http://www.catsincrisis.org/mesaFund.html

> Cats - Heart and Thyroid
> Cats in Crisis Stripes Fund
> http://www.catsincrisis.org/stripesFund.html

> Cats Neurological conditions and mobility impairments Cats in Crisis
> Gillie Fund http://www.catsincrisis.org/gillieFund.html

> ASSISTANCE DOGS
> Assistance Dog Partners
> http://www.iaadp.org/VCP.html

> FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATIONS (Specific animals needing veterinary care):
> http://www.catsincrisis.org/
> http://www.imom.org <http://www.imom.org>
>
> The Mosby Foundation
> [email protected] <mailto:info%40themosbyfoundation.org>
>
> For anyone who would like to know more about Mosby please read his story
> on www.themosbyfoundation.org If anyone would like to contact me,
> please feel free. Our e-mail is listed above, our phone number is
> 540-939-4035.
> Our Mission Statement:
> The Mosby Foundation is organized exclusively for charitable purposes,
> to assist in the care of sick, injured, abused, neglected and /or
> homeles dogs in order to ready them for placement in loving and permanent
homes.
> It's really very simple. A rescue group, foster person, shelter or vet
> has a dog that requires medical care and there aren't sufficient funds
> for that treatment. The Mosby Foundation is contacted by a licensed
> veterinarian with case details. Our Board decides whether we can help,
> and if so, how.
>
> Many rescued dogs need medical or rehabilitative care prior to adoption.
> Often dogs lack current vaccinations, need spay/neuter, or have other
> medical needs.
>
> For example, if there is a dog at a shelter who a vet certifies is
> healthy, yet has tested positive for heartworm, The Mosby Foundation
> could decide to provide a portion or all of the funds required for
> heartworm treatment. The dog would then be healthy and adoptable to a
> permanent home.
>
> The Mosby Foundation is totally funded by donations and run by a
> committed group of volunteers.
> Carole Adams
> President, The Mosby Foundation
>
>
> Animal Wish List
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AnimalWishList/

> The "Animal Wish List" yahoo group is a Charitable group where pet
> owners, animal rescuers and sanctuary owners, and animal lovers come
> to post messages about the items, supplies, volunteer work, and/or
> funds they need in caring for animals. Items needed can range from pet
> food coupons, pet housing and bedding, bathing and grooming materials,
> building materials needed for barns and fencing, etc.., to funds
> needed to help pay vet bills or kennel bills etc...and even volunteer
> work to care for pets.
>
>
> Fundraising4pets
> Getting some ideas that could prove useful in bringing in much needed
> funds to pull and vet the animals. Be sure- that if you do join, you
> sign up for the 'daily digest' so you do not get swamped all day with
> mail daily digest allows you to get the days worth of info in one
> email newsletter. Its worth a look-see.......we can all use some
> inspiration and new ideas.
> [email protected]
>
> http://www.handicappedpets.com/
>
> http://www.themosbyfoundation.org/what.html
>
> Ahimsa Foundation
> B6 Devonshire Street
> Boston, MA 02109
> Fax: 617- 227 -3794

website where owners of pets can go to apply for financial assistance
> for these situations.
> http://thepetfund.com/default.htm

Could one of the moderators put this up top with a sticky? This is a great list.

Originally Posted by Brokenheart

Could one of the moderators put this up top with a sticky? This is a great list.

Click to expand...

excellent idea
Sending TCS prayers and vibes that you get assistance for the kitty very soon!