People with only 1 cat

Hey Everyone

I was just wondering do you ever feel bad for leaving your cat at home. I have been thinking about getting another cat, but I really can't afford it. I work and go to school, I get home at like 11:30 at night, I spend like 30 mins to an hour playing with her, then I go to bed. I wake up in the morning around 8:30 play with her for like 15 mins, then get ready and go to school. Then after school I come home for like a hour, then go to work and get home around 11, and sometimes I feel so bad for her, that I think about giving her to someone else, but I know I cant do that because I love her to much. What do you do to keep your cats happy. I also plan on getting more toys for her. Thanks for your help :-)

Nicole

I just recently got another kitten to keep my first kitten company because I didnt want her to be lonely and I have been told from many people that ifyou are unable to spend a lot of time with your cat that you should get it a playmate. If money is a concern there are animal shelters that you can adopt them from, they have free advertisements in the paper for kittens/cats and where I live we have a place called Catopia where a women rescues kittens that are going to be put to sleep and gets them checked out by a vet and then just gives them away to a good home.

We have just one cat now (his choice, not ours), but he isn't left alone much, because we both have very different work schedules. A bad week (rare) would mean he's left alone a total of about 21 hours. Last week it was just 5. He has toys, an enclosed balcony where he can communicate with his dog pal next door, a cat tree, and window perches, and I play with him whenever he wants. I try to make the house a bit more interesting by regularly giving him big cardboard boxes to play in, and sometimes allowing forays into "restricted" areas, like the cellar or attic. I do think it's better for cats (actually almost all pets) to have an animal companion, and most will accept "competition"; ours won't, even in the form of human children.

I am glad I saw this. I am going to the Plainfield Humane Society along with a few other shelters tomorrow to see about adopting a cat or cats. I want to get two kittens because I know that I would be a great and loving owner but the Plainfield one wants $372 ($186 ea kitten) which includes spay/neuter, rabies, distemper combo, leukemia test, fecal exam, worming, avid microchip, and capstar, plus $57+/- for year supply of heartworm med. I know that all of these shots and stuff is very important and needs to be done, but $186 each sounds kind of high for a shelter. I know that it is a very good shelter because a friend at work takes his dog to the animal clinic/vet portion on the shelter and raves about them.

What to do?

Jason

Jason,

I have sent you a pm - but their website states

"Notes: Lots and Lots of kittens available. In honor of june being ADOPT A SHELTER CAT MONTH all kittens adoption fees have been reduced. Come and visit." and other link states the same thing but has the fee of $126.00

Nicole,

I also recently added a new addition to our household for exactly the same reasons as your stating. I think most people in here will think that 2 are much better than 1 especially if you have limited time at home...

but you do have to be able to afford it - have a think about it

Huggles,

That $129 doesn't include the $57 one year supply of heartworm med that they require you to by when you are adopting kittens. I am not sure if they require this for all cat adoptions, but they do with kittens.

Jason

oh okay - sorry my mistake.

I think its sounds okay - but having said that I am in australia so I dont know what the normal costs over there are
hmmm think I better stay out of this one

I go through this all the time, I can't decide. I mean he is happy here, and it's *his* place you know...I just don't know if he would take to another. Yet he is social...I see him go over to this house where there are other cats and kind of sit in front waiting for them. And when other cats come into the yard he is very friendly...

I was gone for 6 days recently, he did do ok. A neighbor came over and hung out with him and when I returned he was in great spirits and left no "messages" for me.

I take adopting another so seriously I worry it wouldn't work out, and I have a small place. I can't deal with them chasing each other all night, and don't know if I have the patience for a kitten right now. Yet at the same time I know it might be easier for him to adjust to a kitten. But chances are if I got another it would be a grown up...

Originally Posted by animallover4

I am glad I saw this. I am going to the Plainfield Humane Society along with a few other shelters tomorrow to see about adopting a cat or cats. I want to get two kittens because I know that I would be a great and loving owner but the Plainfield one wants $372 ($186 ea kitten) which includes spay/neuter, rabies, distemper combo, leukemia test, fecal exam, worming, avid microchip, and capstar, plus $57+/- for year supply of heartworm med. I know that all of these shots and stuff is very important and needs to be done, but $186 each sounds kind of high for a shelter. I know that it is a very good shelter because a friend at work takes his dog to the animal clinic/vet portion on the shelter and raves about them.

What to do?

Jason

Click to expand...

Jason, when I think about how much I spent the first few months on all that stuff just for JC, $186 sounds reasonable to me. Many shelters have "high" prices because they also have to cover the costs of running the place and caring for animals that aren't adopted, and also because they want to discourage people who think pets are "worthless throwaways".

I've only been in the "cat" world since last July when I got Charlotte. So, I'm still learning all about cats from every aspect. Charlotte is my only cat. I bought her toys, but her favorite and most entertaining ones are FREE. These include hair scunci's (ties), paper or plastic bags, styrofoam peanuts, wooden clothes pins, pen.... okay...she just NOW grabbed the tennis ball is and rolling around with it!!! She also has fish to harrass in my 20 gallon aquarium. She does like to look out the window and watch the birds and other creatures.

She often brings her scunci to me and gets into stalking position when I pick up the toy. Sometimes she'll tackle my legs almost as if she's saying "you're it". It's cute. To me, she's being social and wants to play. I'm her playmate.

Sometimes I think it would be good for her to have a cat playmate. However, sometimes I think she's too territorial and wouldn't welcome another cat. At this point, I live in a small apartment and only have space for one litter box. Eventually, I will probably get another cat. For now, I'm happy just being able to spoil one.

Marge...I don't know how old your current cat is..but if he is over 2 or 3...I wouldn't recommend a kitten. The rescue group I volunteer with has a foster to adopt program...you get 2 weeks to see if it is working before you pay the adoption fee. Lots of people like that when they are trying to decide if they should "add" a second cat. I would suggest you find a rescue where you can do a foster to adopt or something similiar.

Katie

Jason..WOW....the rescue group I volunteer with charges $150 for one cat....$200 for 2 cats or kittens. That being said...you do get a TON for your $186. You could also drive a couple of hours and see what other rescue groups charge.

Katie