A question I don't want to hear

[Pixilated]

So I had to ask my brother for financial help -- again. I am looking for work, and he's aware of that, but he also reminds me periodically that I need to look at my expenses. I am going to head back to Niagara and get rid of 90% of the stuff in my storage unit -- including most of my books but at least they will go to a good cause: an annual booksale fundraiser for battered women's shelters.

However, he also pointed out that my cats also cost me money.

Well, yeah. But I had to ask for help with my auto insurance, which is $200 a month. Getting rid of my cats is NOT going to get me noticeably further ahead with that expense. They haven't even been to a vet in years (they're strictly indoor cats, so I'm not too worried about it). All they cost me is kibble and litter.

I have to admit, that scared me, more than a little. I didn't want to get into a huge argument with him over it, because he has helped me above and beyond since I lost my job. But they are a comfort to me, and in today's economy, especially in My Hometown, I don't know what their lifespan would be if I had to turn them in to the nearest shelter. The one is very eye-catching; he might find a new home quickly. The other is very much a Plain Jane (or John, LOL, since they're both male).

Horrible as it is, I'm starting to understand why some people have their pets euthanized, rather than turn them over to a shelter.

(Please note: he wasn't making a demand that I get rid of them RIGHT NOW. But if my job situation doesn't improve, it may come to that. If I can get student loan approval again, I will be okay once September rolls around -- but of course there's always next summer.)

I didn't sleep well last night.

[AnaKhouri]

Not to butt in, but $200 a month for car insurance seems awfully high. Maybe you can try shopping around; I saved $600 a year when I switched my insurance to the same company as my husband's, and my stepdad (who admittedly is retired and has lots of free time) calls around every 6 months and changed companies if he finds a better deal. It's not really a big hassle to change, I promise!

And unless your cats need special food/medicine, they're not really that expensive. My cat costs me about $20 a month in food and litter, about $4 a month in treats, and around $90 a year for the annual vet trip.

Good luck!

[Bright_Star]

Whatever you do, DON'T get rid of your cats! The monthly cost for taking care of a cat isn't that much. I have 3.

[iradney]

Maybe point out to your bro that you are working on cutting down on material possessions, but the emotional investment you receive from your cats is worth more than the few bucks you fork out a month for them. Point out that keeping pets has been shown to have beneficial health effects, including improving your mood and decreasing your blood pressure and stress.

[Pixilated]

Thanks very much, guys, I appreciate the support. I don't mind (much, LOL) getting rid of the inanimate stuff, but ...

AnaKhouri, you are correct that it's high, but that was due to my colossal f*ckup: I let my previous insurance lapse. This of course made me a bad risk. There was no way my previous company would take me back so it was basically a case of "take what you can get." In 3 years, IIRC, my lapse will be off my record and I can start comparison shopping.

Bright_Star, that is a point I did not think of last night. Wish I had. Well, if it comes up again, I will raise that very issue.

iradney, thanks for more ammo (if I need it). That is very true; there were times in the year before I moved back to My Hometown when the only thing that kept me going was my cats.

Obviously, if I'd seen the layoff coming, I would not have taken on two new cats when I did, and I would now be cat-less. But they are here, and I am responsible for them.

Of course, the whole issue will die of its own accord if I can boost my income. I'm going to call in the next day or so to look into emergency welfare assistance. And I'm going to really, really pray that I get approved for a student loan again this fall. That means I just have to struggle through the rest of the summer somehow. (Note the Scarlett O'Hara mentality regarding next summer )

[wolfie]

Not to butt in, but $200 a month for car insurance seems awfully high.

Depends on where you live. I'm in Toronto, and pay around $175/month even though I've "topped out" on the accident-free discount. Of course, this includes commuting over the threshold distance (and there's no discount for commuting weekly instead of daily).

[MoonCat]

Your brother may not understand that pets are not "things." They are living creatures, and they are part of your family.

When you are settled, check with the local food banks and shelters and see if any of them give out free pet food or litter for those in financial difficulties. Some places have started doing that since the economy went wonky. The veterinarians in the area might be aware of places that do this, too. That will help torpedo any suggestions from your brother or anyone else about rehoming your cats.

[Pixilated]

MoonCat: you may be right; he and his family have no pets and never have. If it comes up again, I will lay out the dollar figures, first, and then tell him, "Pick something else for me to give up and I will do it with no argument."

Thanks for the suggestion about the food banks; I will do that! (Ironic you should say that; I dropped by the food bank for myself just today. Never thought to ask about pet food. Once I am back on my feet, I will make sure my food bank donations include pet food, even if it's only kibble!)

[JustaCashier]

Pixilated, Definitely check with the Food Bank for cat food and litter.

You may also want to do a little research, and see if there are any other agencies or non-profit groups in your area that help with pet food, supplies, and veterinary care. If nothing else, even though your kitties are kept indoors, you never know when there may be an emergency.

A good friend of mine, is the Leader of one such non-profit in my City, that assists low-income and Homeless folks and their pets.

The Mission of her group is to keep people and their pets together, by providing healthy food, litter, supplies such as feeding/water bowls, harnesses and leashes, even toys. They also assist in Spay/Neuter, vaccines, and emergency Vet care.

If you have no other choice to re-home the cats, and opt to go the shelter route, make absolutely sure that they are a bonafide no-kill. I'm not proficient in determining that myself, but I've heard my friend say repeatedly that just because a shelter claims to be no-kill, doesn't always mean that it is.

Instead of the shelter option, see if there are any legitimate pet adoption organizations. Preferably one that has a fairly strict policy of making absolutely certain that the pet is a good match for its potential new home.

Craigslist is an absolute no-no. It's against their TOS anyway. (But that doesn't stop people from posting pets for sale type ads, although I believe those are mostly the sleazy "backyard" breeders).

If you choose/need to adopt them out yourself, make it clear that you will require potential adopters to let them see where the cats will be living. Set high standards and stick to them.

If you have to make this last resort decision, you'll want them going to the best, safest, loving home possible. Some people that purchase pets from private parties, will use them as "bait" for fighting dogs, and other nasty shit.

Best of luck to you in every aspect of this dilemma you are currently in, and I sincerely hope you and your kitties can stay together. To be forced to be separated, will be traumatic for both you and them.

Mike

[MoonCat]

If you have to make this last resort decision, you'll want them going to the best, safest, loving home possible. Some people that purchase pets from private parties, will use them as "bait" for fighting dogs, and other nasty shit.

This. If you need to rehome, check with the local vets. Often they will be willing to post flyers about animals that need a new home. This way at least you know the people who see the flyers are people who regularly visit the vet with their own pets, and are more likely to give the cats a good home.

But I truly hope that this is not something you have to do. Kitties are necessary!

[Pixilated]

JustaCashier, I've heard horror stories of Craigslist. They would definitely not go there. I went to the unemployed help centre today to start planting my community garden plot (got 4 plants in and then the skies opened, LOL) and while I was there I dropped in at the food bank to ask about catfood. Sometimes they do carry it (they have none at present but I don't need any right at the moment) so I will keep that in mind in future.

Apparently the local humane society does offer emergency food but it's only a one-time thing. So that's something to keep in mind as well.

Thanks for the rest of your advice as well. I don't think it will come to that, but if it does, I will do the best I can by them.

MoonCat, I never thought of vets' offices! Thanks; yes, if people see the posters there, I can be reasonably sure they would go to good homes. But kitties absolutely are necessary (cat hair, after all, is a fashion accessory!) I too hope it won't come to that, and I think in the end we will be okay.

I went online today and started the process of applying for welfare. Given my housing costs and my income, I think I will qualify. Apparently they also have access to jobs that the general public doesn't (government-sponsored jobs and so on). So I am crossing my fingers that I will get either welfare benefits ... or work! In a day or so I should get a phone call for an actual appointment with an "intake counsellor."

[Seshat]

My vet takes in strays themselves. Only a few at a time, and if they have too many they will sometimes have to pass the extras to the major shelters in the area.

But sometimes when we're out walking, we'll find a friendly stray. The vet's office is close enough to A's walking route that she and the dog and the stray can just drop in.
The stray situation around here is so bad that our dog-walking belt has poo bags, a folding water bowl ... and a spare leash that can also act as a makeshift collar-and-leash. So we can leash the stray to take it to the vet.

(Note: we're not stupid. UNfriendly strays, we make a note of where we found them, and call the Lost Dog's Home; which is the shelter whose animal control officers handle our area.)
But oh, we've found some sweet, sweet strays. One time I was home alone and had to call for an officer to come fetch the stray I'd found. By the time the officer came, I had tears in my eyes sending him off.
But he would need a much more active human than I can be. And the LDH does their best to rehome the animals they get. The officer who took him thought he was a darling too.

[PepperElf]

Not to butt in, but $200 a month for car insurance seems awfully high. Maybe you can try shopping around!

Indeed. I'd recommend looking around too.

If you really do feel you need to find another home (or homes) for the cats, I recommend checking PetFinder to see what shelters are around. http://www.petfinder.com/awo/index.cgi? - just put your zip code into the search bar and it will tell you who's around.

However, you've also already mentioned how little the cats actually cost you - just food & litter. So you may want to consider whether or not the request is actually a financially based request or ... if it's something more personal. It could be that the person doesn't see the value in the pets & therefore perceives the expense as greater than it really is, or that they're annoyed and subconsciously know it will hurt (or scare) you to consider not having the cats.