How to help strays when money is really tight?

I'll try to keep this short since I tend to write long, rambling posts. But for those of you who help ferals and strays, while still taking care of your own cats, I'm curious how you do it.

The short version of my situation is this - I have 11 of my own cats and one rabbit. They all live inside my house and they all get routine vet care, along with any vet care needed when they are sick. I'll pay whatever I have to to keep these kitties all healthy. But 11 cats is my max. 10 was supposed to be my max, yet we ended up with 11. I refuse to end up on Animal Hoarders, so I have to know my limits and when I can't properly care for another animal.

But with that being said, I'm also currently taking care of a stray cat that I trapped at a hotel about a month or so ago. He's living outside in a large dog crate until I get him neutered. I've already spent a bit of money on him because he was looking pretty sickly and beat up when I first trapped him. Ideally, I'm going to find this guy a home, but I haven't been successful with that yet. I'll probably end up bringing him inside once he is neutered and hopefully stops spraying, but then if I can't find him a home, I'll have 12 cats. Which will put me 2 cats over what I said my max is.

Meanwhile, a few weeks ago ANOTHER stray cat showed up in our backyard. From talking to the neighbors, this guy has been roaming the neighborhood for a few years now. No one likes him and wants him around. Our next door neighbor told us that everyone tries to scare him away because they don't want to deal with him. Its seriously one of the saddest things ever. The day he showed up in our yard we pet him. Thats all we did - we just pet him. And he hasn't left our yard since (other than occasionally wandering away for an hour or so.) The fact that all it took was petting him to make him stay in our yard was heartbreaking to us. It just seems like all he ever wanted was love, and he never got that. I know cats will stick around once you start feeding him. But we didn't even feed him to make him stick around. All we did was show him that our yard was safe for him and he seems to really know that. So now of course, we're feeding him. He follows my husband around every single day as he waters the yard and garden. He's literally glued to my husband's side and when he hears our back door opening he runs to it from whenever he is at the moment. When he first showed up he seemed beat up and rough looking, but healthy. My husband and I agreed that we would feed him, attempt to find someone to give him a home (which is hard when we can't even find the first stray a home), and we'd get him neutered. But as I said in a previous post about the other cat. The city requires that a cat have a rabies shot for at least 3 weeks before getting neutered at their low cost clinic (which is only for strays and house pets - not ferals). So our plan was to get the shot and get him neutered and that was all. As much as we want to, we just can't afford the medical care of a 13th cat. We want to provide him with a safe haven (our yard) but we simply can't afford the vet care of one more cat. We've reached a point where we really can't take care of another one without it negatively affecting our lives and the lives of our other cats.

This wasn't a huge dilemma at first. Ideally, we would have loved to take him in for a full checkup, but he seemed healthy, so we agreed - nothing more than food and a safe haven and eventual low cost neutering. However, I should have known it wouldn't be that easy. As of 3 days ago I've noticed his third eye lid is showing a bit and he seems to be having a little trouble breathing. My gut instinct is that its a simple URI, but obviously I could be completely wrong. Whatever it is though, its getting worse, not better, and I really think he needs a vet or antibiotics (both preferably).

So I guess my question is, what do you do when you just can't take care of them anymore? I can't kick this guy out of our yard. Its apparently the only yard he's actually safe and secure in in the entire neighborhood. But money is limited and I can't compromise the health and well being of my other cats that I've already dedicated myself to.

The shelters here are completely useless when it comes to help. I learned that when I called around looking for help with the other stray cat that I have. There's no low cost vet clinic that I have been able to find-  other than a vaccine clinic and a spay/neuter clinic.

So my plan for right now is to put Lysine in his water outside and hope that it helps, and attempt to find an inexpensive solution to getting him health care.

I hate that I have to limit the number of animals that I can care for, but I just have to at this point. Please don't think I am a bad person for that. If I was rich, I'd buy a huge house and open up my own rescue, but thats just not possible.

I know that a vet visit is what he needs, but its also what I can't afford. Is there a way to get antibiotics for a cat somewhere? Online maybe? I know that isn't an ideal solution, but it seems like it would be better than just watching him get sicker each day. I'm still searching around for a low cost option or a vet that will take payments (I do have Carecredit, but we have that budgeted into the care of our other cats - I currently have a pretty high balance that I'm trying to pay off each month, so based on what goes onto that card for my other cats, I can't realistically put more money onto it for a stray cat.)

Please, please don't lecture me about how a vet is the only option. I know this. My cats get the best vet care I can find. But everyone has to know when to say "no" to more animals because its just not affordable anymore, and I've reached that point. I just didn't plan on having a sick cat show up in my backyard, and then make my yard his home. But when every neighbor does whatever they can to kick this guy out of their yard, I can't turn him away. I know and understand that I can't afford to take care of him, but I also see no reason why my backyard can't be a safe zone for him.

If anyone has any advice I would really, really appreciate it. The stress I'm feeling from being at my limit isn't a very good feeling .

You and your husband have the biggest heart's and I can't believe yet another stray has found you. Have you googled TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) in your county??? There has to be an organization like that in Washington, I HOPE :cross:..... If so - that will only cost you about $35.00 to get the cat his rabies, distemper, worming, flea product and sterilization. Most of these organizations will help with the cat, even if he is "friendly". He is still a roaming stray and breeding - that is the goal of TNR - to stop the stray/feral cat's from breeding and adding to the already serious over-population dilemma. I am sorry to hear that your local shelters/rescues/foster network's could not step in and take this friendly, lost stray. That is just terrible to hear - I think I would still make the calls because the "hotel" kitty is feral and this new stray is friendly. The rescue's might be more open to assisting you with this one :cross:

:heart3: I understand the dilemna, believe me. We have 8 indoor only cats - all feral rescues. We've TNRd (on our own, the closest low-cost clinic is about 1.5 hours away ) 32 cats since the summer of 2008 and between 2 local foster networks, 15 cats/kittens have been rehomed (and we adopted 2 as indoor-only kitties). But it took time to develop the relationship with both the vet and the foster networks to enable us to do this - because of my hubby's medical situation, we haven't had steady employment since 2006. We started TNRing in 2002, so have known the vet that works with us on this for almost a decade. We pay what we can when we can, and they carry the balance. When we have no balance due, we pay what we can, when we can and build up a credit on the account, so it's there - whether it winds up being used for our kitties or the TNR kitties.

We have four cats outside that are here for almost every meal (we leave dry out during the day and provide them with wet food am and pm. We include the wet so the schedule's set, making it easier to trap when unaltered cats show up - which they almost always do in the winter). One is adoptable, but FIV+. We feel terrible about leaving him outside - but at 8 inside... I mean, we do live in an RV!

One of the ferals sprained her ankle or broke her leg or something this past spring. We tried to trap her to get it fixed, but she was having none of it. Thankfully, it healed on its own, and watching her limp but not allow us to help nearly broke our hearts. But until then... whenever they've been sick, for whatever reason, it's been easy to just crate them (no matter how feral) and get them to the vet.

All of that said... the vet understands we NEED to save on the cost of care, especially on the ferals. So if we suspect something like lung worm, (common here), we trap/crate, take the cat in, and instead of charging us for a vet appointment or taking x-rays or doing other diagnostics they normally would, they give a listen to make sure we're not off-base, give the cat the shot of ivomec and charge us cost. If we suspected a URI, we'd probably be able to pick up antibiotics without an appointment to bring the cat in.

I know you're looking for a vet that will take payments... but have you already found a vet for your kitties' care? Rather than using the care credit for the care of the strays, without rescues or TNR orgs in the area that are willing to help, your only real choice is to talk to your pet kittes' vet. I mean, 11 cats is going to be a good, long term relationship. When you have the chat, explain that you know they're in the business for profit - but as you'll be a volume, repeat customer ( :lol3: ), is there any way they'd be willing to work with you on caring for TWO dumped/abandoned friendly cats that no one else wants to take responsibility for? After a chat like that, they may be willing to let you pick up antibiotics. :dk: And depending upon the size of the practice, either talk to the vet owner, or the office manager. :nod: And get to know the staff... and feed them. :lol3: Home baked brownies and cookies and such around the holidays or "just to say thank you!" can really help their willingness to work with you on things like this. :nod: :cross:

Otherwise... I don't know where to buy medicine that isn't available without a prescription.

Feralvr - I actually just updated my profile to change my location. I didn't realize that I hadn't changed it since I moved, but I'm not in Washington anymore. We're now in Corpus Christi, Texas - a town that is about as backwards as I've ever seen regarding all animals. There's no TNR program in town, but there IS a cat rescue that may be about to start one. But I've only heard that from a friend who knows a person who works there, so I'm not sure how reliable that info is. I do know that out of all the shelters and rescues I called about the hotel kitty, this place was the friendliest (though they still treated me like I was attempting to dump my own cat on them), so maybe there's hope that they will get a TNR program started. I've found info about the university here TNRing a bunch of cats on their campus about 2 years ago, but from what I can find, that seems to be about the extent of the city's involvement in TNR. I also found an article about the town just north of us where a lady has been feeding and TNRing a whole colony of ferals and she's been fighting with the city to keep taking care of them. The comments on the article were really discouraging to read. I've read plenty of stuff about TNR and of course there's always a handful of people who are screaming "Don't do it - it won't work - just kill the cats - etc..." but this was well beyond a handful of people saying that. I'd say the majority of the comments were all AGAINST TNR. So like I said - this is a very backwards place regarding animals .

I did just find out though (literally about 10 minutes ago when I decided to do a little more research) that San Antonio has a city wide feral cat TNR program. I don't know if they will take cats from outside of their city, but I'm going to look into that a little more. Thats only about 2 hours north of here so I would gladly go up there to save a little bit of money. Even with the cost of gas, I think I'd still save some money if I can get everything done at once, for a low cost.

I miss living in a place where good TNR programs exist and low cost vets exist. We actually lived in Corpus about 4 years ago and things were backwards then too, but I have to admit that I was a little surprised to see that nothing has really changed in 4 years.

As for a good relationship with a vet - I'm working on that!! I'm hoping I'll eventually be able to get to the point where I can call the vet and just get medicine I need without having to be seen. Back in Washington I had a great relationship with my vets. It was a practice with 3 different vets, and all of them knew my cats and me VERY well by the time we moved away. I also had a good friend who was a vet tech there, and she was good friends with one of the doctors. So while I never hung out with the doctor on my own, I did go to holiday dinners that she was at and stuff like that. So my point is, I definitely would have been able to call her, ask for some antibiotics and get them without an appointment. I'm obviously not a vet, but the vets that I dealt with there knew me well enough to know that I may not be able to diagnose a major problem or fix a major problem on my own, but I was capable of saying something like "This one has a URI - I need meds" and they would trust me on that. It was also a practice that didn't allow payment plans, but several times I was able to pay things off gradually to them. I never had to use a major payment plan other than my CareCredit card, but I definitely walked out of there with a bag of prescription food that the receptionist didn't add to my total bill for the day, with her saying "Oh no worries - we'll just put it on your tab and you can pay for it next time" more than a few times. I know that wasn't typical of them to do for people, but they always knew that I would be back. I also had a cat with a major blockage, who needed surgery and hospitalization, and since that bill just kept adding up, they just let me pay what I could pay, when I could pay it. I really hate that we moved, because that was the kind of vet/client relationship that I need right now!

When we lived here 4 years ago we used the same vet clinic, but the doctor that I had used the most back then (there are 5 of them at this practice) isn't here anymore. We were only here for about a year then, and only had 3 cats back then, so I never had the chance to build up a relationship with the other doctors. This time we will be here for at least 3, and possibly more, years so I guess I have time to build a relationship with them. It would just be really helpful if I had that relationship now. We've already only been here for about 3 months, but we buy a big bag of prescription food every two weeks, and I've already had 3 of the cats in, plus the hotel kitty, for checkups. I think I'll talk to them about payments or a plan like LDG mentioned where I just pay what I can, when I can, and point out that I've already been a repeat customer and I've only been here for a few months .

I should also point out, when I said that this new stray is getting sicker, he doesn't seem THAT bad yet. I think he definitely needs medicine. But he's still eating like a pig, drinking and running around our backyard. I know cats are good at hiding sickness, but I also know that when they are REALLY sick you'll know. I don't want it to get to that point obviously, but right now I'm fairly certain this is just a standard URI. I need to get him checked for leukemia too at some point. I lost an 8 month old kitten to leukemia a few years ago, and that kitten came from here. I know leukemia is everywhere, so this may be completely irrational of me, but Cledus (the kitten that died) initially tested negative, so when he got sick and then tested positive it was a HUGE shock to us. And the very first thing that we noticed wrong with him was that his third eyelids were showing. I know the third eyelids can mean numerous different things and isn't necessarily a symptom of leukemia, but I think the trauma of going through that experience, is making me really nervous right now. My gut is saying that its just a standard URI, but my paranoid brain is making me think the worst.

I have to take one of my other cats in for a follow up appointment in a week, so maybe I can chat with the vet then. I have to admit that sometimes I wish I had it in me to just turn them all away. I know that sounds horrible, but it does occasionally cross my mind . Clearly, everyone else in this neighborhood has turned this stray away - for a few years. Why can't I just say "go away"? I don't know. I honestly don't want to have a bad heart like that, but it does occasionally occur to me that life would be a lot easier if I didn't care so much .

ETA: I love the idea of feeding the vets. I love baking, so "bribery" by cookies and other baked goods seems like a good way to go. I think I'm definitely going to try that .

I only have 2 indoor cats and that's my limit. I only feed 5 strays, got all of them fixed and vaccinated as soon as they were old enough as kittens at a low cost spay/neuter clinic for strays. I had to trap them all when they were young I couldnt pet them, but after being fixed within months they all let me pet and brush them and they like to chase a shoelace and play with catnip toys I buy. No new males come by, no sperying/fighting, and no new kittens are born, so the number is low and manageable for my area when at one point I used to see over 25 cats!. I have 2 outside shelters built for them with a cat flap and lined with straw (hay gets damp too easily), and a food and water dish I change the water every day. If you can keep the shelters clean year round, and constantly putting out food isnt an issue, then they dont have to be indoor cats, yet they still will be happier and healthier than before.

The most common health issues outdoor cat get are internal parasites,fleas,injuries from fights,ear mites, and sometimes a poor coat if they are older or sick. If you do get them fixed get them vaccinated, de-wormed, frontline put on, a good ear cleaning, and if they are friendly one good bath will be plenty but that would have to be Before they are fixed.

For the short-term problem with the antibiotics... why not call the old vet? Or your vet tech friend, or whoever you know at the clinic? Just explain the situation! Have them call in a scrip to a local pharmacy! Our vet calls in scrips to the pharmacy for us all the time if the med is cheaper there.

And hope the San Antonio TNR clinic option works out!

I know you were moving but didn't know where :dk:... Well - that is just so discouraging to hear about Corpus Christi ..... I absolutely would call the San Antonio TNR org. They actually might very well have some information for you on a place closer OR they might have a list of TNR vet's closer to you. We can hope :cross:. Then you could take both the "hotel" boy and the new boy in together and it will be very reasonable for you that way. OH and you can get them tested for FeLk/FIV very reasonably along with the other things. My TNR vet only charges $5.00 for the snap test Most of these vet's who have big hearts and work with these organizations to do TNR's, understand that the people bringing in the cat's are doing so out of the goodness of their own heart and are completely broke . :heart3:

I also, as Laurie mentioned about her vet, have a very wonderful vet that will even put up meds for me if I think a cat is very ill, without even seeing the stray. OR if I bring the cat in, he will charge me a extremely minimal brief office visit exam, bypass major tests, and just give me medications that we think will help the cat. But I have a long standing relationship with him and he knows I have much experience and knowledge and he trusts my judgement. He actually pokes fun at me when I bring one of my cat's in to see him. He says to me - "So..... Dr. Lauren, what do your book's or the internet say about what your kitty might have. Come on, give my your diagnosis" I have also had to go on payment schedules with him from time to time and they are very, very willing to always make it work for me. I don't even bake for them :anon: :lol3:

Don't feel bad about thinking at times you wish you could just look the other way . I may have thought it from time to time too - that my life would be less stressful and less worrisome without doing what I am doing - the TNR caretaker. But that thought never lasts because I feel I was meant to be caring for and saving strays/feral's. I just think of all of the poor little darling kitten's that are being born out there in the wild due to some irresponsible cat owner who let their house cat roam and breed. Just burns me up inside, the suffering, starvation, disease, terror and fear, and just trying to fight to survive each and everyday of their lives nfire: because of ONE careless, idiot cat owner. :stomp: If I and other's don't stand up and take responsibility for these innocent kitties, who will . I know that the feral's lives are better off with at least someone caring for them and getting them sterilized, than if not. And the worry hno: that comes along with being a feral caretaker, does cause me pain in my heart, but it is worth the risk :nod:. Yes, it can be expensive, especially of someone gets sick, but I find that is not too common. In all actuality, my feral's are more healthy than some of the inside kitties I have had . I guess I just feel that this is my "calling" :lol3: to help as many feral/stray cat's as I can. The money - well - it hasn't been easy. I just really live a frugal life in other areas and make cut-backs whenever possible. I always think of the money I am going to spend and ask myself, do we really need this - this money could go into my emergency cat fund instead - and it usually does go into the emergency cat fund instead :bigthumb: My hubby is the same way and he knows how much all of the cat's mean to me. :heart3: We don't even take many vacations ....... because I hate leaving my cat's and because it is just too expensive and that money could go a long way to giving a cat medical care instead... Guess I am rambling now :lol3: WE just :heart3: love to ramble in the name of helping kitties :happy3:

There is a loophole in the prescription antibiotic situation. Antibiotics sold for fish and birds do not require a prescription. I don't recommend that people do this--it requires a decent knowledge of dosing and what kind of antibiotic is needed--but it is a possibility.

Try to contact a rescue or shelter. Often, they keep antibiotics like clavamox on hand, which is probably what you need right now fo rthe URI. See if they'll give you, or let you buy a bottle. It's not expensive at all. Also, try to build up a repertoire with a no kill rescue. I volunteer with one, and we are all very close, and basically, if any of the volunteers find a stray, or take in an animal from a bad situation, the rescue will take care of the vet costs as long as you foster it. They also have let me use their discount when i have needed something big done that I couldn't afford, or put it on their balance and pay it back. Having friends in rescue helps out a ton! Good luck!