The cost of spaying!

If you can get it for $65, that's quite reasonable. Vets do have to pay for the supplies and anesthetic, rent and utilities for the office, salaries for employees, plus the vet's time. Most vets actually offer spays/neuter with a very small markup or even a slight loss, because they know how important it is. But everything costs a lot now. So see if you can get a voucher. You can also try to contact other cat rescue agencies to see if any of them have assistance programs.

At least it only has to be done once in her life! It's really quite a bargain when you consider the alternatives .

Keep her inside until she's spayed! It might be difficult but it's better than another litter.

Is there an Animal Friends within travel distance of where you live? They offer an entire package of spay, vaccinations, de-worming, and flea medications for about 20 dollars. They give further discount for low income people, and some will do it for free if it is a stray and you live in the city of the clinic. If there isn't one near you, I would advise that you keep the cat indoors and make an appointment with the Humane Society for a week from now. The heat usually lasts about 7-10 days. If she's still in heat the day before the appointment, reschedule it. The reason vets charge more for spaying a cat who is either in heat or pregnant is because it is a more difficult surgery with more blood loss. It's best to wait until she's not in heat as long as you can keep her inside. She will likely be very noisy, though I understand your frustration about rising veterinary care costs, I face the same struggles caring for 6 cats with an income that is lower than it used to be. I suggest that you request the 3 year rabies vaccination instead of the 1 year shot. There is a very slight chance of carcinomas from the 3 year shot, but I still use these shots and have not had a problem with any of my cats. Some vets no longer give the 3 year shot, but the Humane Society does. After the spay and vaccination, if she is a healthy cat, you don't have to worry about vet costs for another three years (fingers crossed).     

Yes, it's a shame that vets have to charge so much but I think cities and counties are wising up to the importance of providing the service much like a county health department.  Our city provides tax incentives for a local spay/neuter clinic which provides the distemper and rabies vaccine along with spay/ neuter for 30.00.  I think they give them a cash grant as well.  You have to prove you're low income...(under 40,000 per household per year.)

Win, win, win, all the way around.

Yes, $65 is reasonable for a spay, females do always cost a little more to fix than males as its a slightly more complicated surgery, not too much though. Good thing is, its only a one-time deal. I do hope that you can get her fixed. I do think it is strange that the Humane Society would charge an extra $25 if she is in heat. Did they mean dogs by accident? As cats are nearly constantly in heat unless they are either pregnant or spayed. Could you call them again and double check?

It's not a mistake. Most vet clinics charge about 25 dollars more to spay a cat that is either in heat or pregnant because the surgery is more complicated and there is more risk involved and more bleeding. One of the female ferals I had spayed was in heat and she had complications during the surgery and had a long recovery. When a female is in heat, her uterus is swollen and bleeding occurs more heavily. Spay is a more complicated surgery than a neuter for a male, which takes about 5 minutes, because it's basically a hysterectomy. I think the only time a female in heat should be spayed is in the case of trapping a feral, because you can't hold them in a trap until after they go out of heat, but in general, I think it's better to wait until the cat goes out of heat if one is able to keep them indoors and has the patience to tolerate the yowling.

My Vet told me its a little more complicated but they'd rather have them fixed as they more likely to escape no matter how careful you will be. Also that with cats, the bleeding would not be as bad as if it were a dog. I'm not sure how valid that is but it was what I was told.

Yes, if there is a chance the cat will get out while in heat, it's better to spay right away. I was just explaining why vets generally charge more if the cat is in heat. The spay is more complicated than a neuter because it involves cutting an incision into the cat and removing its uterus and ovaries and either stitching, stapling, or gluing the incision. It takes weeks to heal. If the cat is in heat or pregnant, there will be more bleeding during the surgery and more risk involved.  Male cats are generally active and back to normal after about a day--a neuter is much less intrusive. This is why some clinic charge more for a spay than a neuter. The best option is to find a low spay clinic like Animal Friends, where the fee is the same for all spays and neuters. I hope the OP can find one in her area.

Yeah, my exotics vet said he can't recommend against or charge more for spaying an in-heat cat or rabbit, because they're pretty much always in heat unless they're pregnant. Even if you wait a week for them to stop calling, their reproductive organs are in a state of constant inflammation. He does prefer not to spay a dog in heat, and will charge more if the owners insist. But you just don't have that option with cats or rabbits.

I'm surprised a low-cost place would charge more for any reason. You'd think they wouldn't want to discourage anyone from having it done ASAP.

Where do you live?

This is super frustrating, and I definitely feel your pain. I thankfully live in an area that has a large free program for stray and feral cats to get fixed. They even offer free traps and shots to the kitties. Are you nearby a vet school? Sometimes you can call them and get a discount. Ask your local vets about any discounts they have -- AARP, student, military, senior, low income, etc.

We just had Mowgli spayed today. It was 65 dollars. There is an animal alliance in Montgomery Alabama that offers low cost spay/neuter. I think if you adopt from the shelter it is free. You don't have to show proof of income or anything. And you can bring them from anywhere. That is for the procedure and pain management. you can however give a donation. I think they also give discounts for ferals. We found Mowgli but she was not a feral. They did an outstanding job. I am worried about our baby. I will be glad when she is back to her normal michevious self !!