80-90% of U.S. cats are neutered/spayed

In their latest newsletter, that fine organization Alley Cat Allies
reports that more cat-owners in the U.S. are waking up to value of the
human practice of neutering and spaying their pets. Here's what they
say:

"Alley Cat Allies' research on cats living in U.S. households, their
neuter status, and the relationship between neuter status and
household income appeared in the April 15, 2009, Vol. 234 edition of
the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the most
widely distributed veterinary medical journal. The peer-reviewed study
reports that the vast majority—at least 80%—of pet cats in U.S.
households are neutered, with middle-to higher-income households
reporting rates of over 90%. This very positive finding indicates that
neutering cats is an accepted, established practice among the large
majority of Americans with pet cats. As a result, our nation’s pet
cats are living healthier lives."

Jofirey wrote:

Now, most places here, a free kitten from a shelter or rescue group
really isn't going to be free. I think we ended up paying about $80
for Molly. But that helped to reimburse the rescue organization for
the cost of her vet care, spay and shots etc. They would have waived
the fee if we had asked but it was for a good cause.

It's been said before, but another good reason to charge money is to
discourage impulsive adoptions. People are much more likely to take it
seriously when they have to plunk down some cash.

And while I don't think that only rich people should be allowed to have
pets, it does give one pause to consider that if you can't afford the
adoption fee, what are you going to do for veterinary care?

Keeps the more malicious people away, too - the ones who want bait for
dog fights, or to sell to a lab. They're not going to pay for that,
especially in the latter case - what would be the point?

--
Joyce ^..^

To email me, remove the XXX from my user name.

On Jun 11, 3:38*pm, wrote:
Jofirey wrote:

* Now, most places here, a free kitten from a shelter or rescue group
* really isn't going to be free. *I think we ended up paying about $80
* for Molly. *But that helped to reimburse the rescue organization for
* the cost of her vet care, spay and shots etc. *They would have waived
* the fee if we had asked but it was for a good cause.

It's been said before, but another good reason to charge money is to
discourage impulsive adoptions. People are much more likely to take it
seriously when they have to plunk down some cash.

And while I don't think that only rich people should be allowed to have
pets, it does give one pause to consider that if you can't afford the
adoption fee, what are you going to do for veterinary care?

Keeps the more malicious people away, too - the ones who want bait for
dog fights, or to sell to a lab. They're not going to pay for that,
especially in the latter case - what would be the point?

--
Joyce * ^..^

To email me, remove the XXX from my user name.

Some people act shocked when they come to the shelter and find out
that
"adoption fees" are $75, and make noise about not being able to afford
it.
It's ridiculous. They're getting the cat/kitten, which is neutered
(which the
vet would charge them around $100), plus feleuk testing ($40), plus
vaccinations ($55). It's a bargain. If they cannot afford $75 for all
that,
they can't afford the cat.
I absolutely loathe it when I see a "free kittens" sign.

Sherry

"Sherry" wrote in message
...
On Jun 11, 3:38 pm, wrote:
Jofirey wrote:

Now, most places here, a free kitten from a shelter or rescue group
really isn't going to be free. I think we ended up paying about $80
for Molly. But that helped to reimburse the rescue organization for
the cost of her vet care, spay and shots etc. They would have waived
the fee if we had asked but it was for a good cause.

It's been said before, but another good reason to charge money is to
discourage impulsive adoptions. People are much more likely to take it
seriously when they have to plunk down some cash.

And while I don't think that only rich people should be allowed to have
pets, it does give one pause to consider that if you can't afford the
adoption fee, what are you going to do for veterinary care?

Keeps the more malicious people away, too - the ones who want bait for
dog fights, or to sell to a lab. They're not going to pay for that,
especially in the latter case - what would be the point?

--
Joyce ^..^

To email me, remove the XXX from my user name.

Some people act shocked when they come to the shelter and find out
that
"adoption fees" are $75, and make noise about not being able to afford
it.
It's ridiculous. They're getting the cat/kitten, which is neutered
(which the
vet would charge them around $100), plus feleuk testing ($40), plus
vaccinations ($55). It's a bargain. If they cannot afford $75 for all
that,
they can't afford the cat.
I absolutely loathe it when I see a "free kittens" sign.

Sherry


I agree. I lambasted a local newspaper's online forum when people were
complaining about the high "fee". At our local shelter, includes (normal
prices in parentheses):

+Spay/Neuter (normally $50-100, depending on vet you choose, and the
size/weight of the pet (some vets go by weight of dogs))

+FELV/FIV testing for cats/kittens ($30 lab fee)

+Heartworm testing for dogs/puppies ($30 lab fee)

+Age appropriate shots ($8-12 each)

+De-worming for intestinal parasites (this includes heartworm preventative
on dogs/puppies) ($20+ each)

+Flea/tick preventatives during their stay at the shelter ($20+ per
monthly application)

+Microchip ($25 registration fee, plus vet fee for insertion of the chip).

I then went on to call them "country bumpkins" who.... well, some people
took offense... but I chuckled at them, since this paper is from my
hometown (and only a county south from where I live now).

Here's a link to the thread, I'm known as Jeep
http://www.tmnews.com/stories/commen...A0Njk0NC50bXM=

--
^..^ This is Kitty. Copy and paste Kitty into your signature to help
her
wipe out Bunny's world domination.
--
The ONE and ONLY
lefthanded-pathetic-paranoid-psychotic-sarcastic-wiseass-ditzy
former-blonde
in Bloomington! (And proud of it, too)©
email me at nalee1964 (at) comcast (dot) net
http://community.webshots.com/user/mgcmdjeep

On 6/11/2009 3:16 PM, Christina Websell wrote:

I really don't know where I would get a "free" kitten where I live. It may
be different in other parts of Britain.
There are no feral cat colonies where I live either, but if somecat came
along homeless I would consider her/him to live with me. It's too soon yet
from KFC.
Except, what would I say if one came? You have to wait 6 months? No.


I've always found that the healing power of a new kitten is too strong
to resist for any length of time.


--
Nik Simpson

On Jun 11, 5:05*pm, "Magic Mood Jeep" wrote:
"Sherry" wrote in message

...
On Jun 11, 3:38 pm, wrote:





Jofirey wrote:

Now, most places here, a free kitten from a shelter or rescue group
really isn't going to be free. I think we ended up paying about $80
for Molly. But that helped to reimburse the rescue organization for
the cost of her vet care, spay and shots etc. They would have waived
the fee if we had asked but it was for a good cause.

It's been said before, but another good reason to charge money is to
discourage impulsive adoptions. People are much more likely to take it
seriously when they have to plunk down some cash.

And while I don't think that only rich people should be allowed to have
pets, it does give one pause to consider that if you can't afford the
adoption fee, what are you going to do for veterinary care?

Keeps the more malicious people away, too - the ones who want bait for
dog fights, or to sell to a lab. They're not going to pay for that,
especially in the latter case - what would be the point?

--
Joyce ^..^

To email me, remove the XXX from my user name.

Some people act shocked when they come to the shelter and find out
that
"adoption fees" are $75, and make noise about not being able to afford
it.
It's ridiculous. They're getting the cat/kitten, which is neutered
(which the
vet would charge them around $100), plus feleuk testing ($40), plus
vaccinations ($55). It's a bargain. If they cannot afford $75 for all
that,
they can't afford the cat.
I absolutely loathe it when I see a "free kittens" sign.

Sherry

I agree. *I lambasted a local newspaper's online forum when people were
complaining about the high "fee". *At our local shelter, includes (normal
prices in parentheses):

+Spay/Neuter (normally $50-100, depending on vet you choose, and the
size/weight of the pet (some vets go by weight of dogs))

+FELV/FIV testing for cats/kittens ($30 lab fee)

+Heartworm testing for dogs/puppies ($30 lab fee)

+Age appropriate shots ($8-12 each)

+De-worming for intestinal parasites (this includes heartworm preventative
on dogs/puppies) ($20+ each)

+Flea/tick preventatives during their stay at the shelter ($20+ per
monthly application)

+Microchip ($25 registration fee, plus vet fee for insertion of the chip)..

I then went on to call them "country bumpkins" who.... well, some people
took offense... but I chuckled at them, since this paper is from my
hometown (and only a county south from where I live now).

Here's a link to the thread, I'm known as Jeephttp://www.tmnews.com/stories/comments/cmt.php?sto_uri=L3N0b3JpZXMvMj...

--
*^..^ This is Kitty. Copy and paste Kitty into your signature to help
her
wipe out Bunny's world domination.
--
The ONE and ONLY
lefthanded-pathetic-paranoid-psychotic-sarcastic-wiseass-ditzy
former-blonde
in Bloomington! (And proud of it, too)©
email me at nalee1964 (at) comcast (dot) nethttp://community.webshots.com/user/mgcmdjeep- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

You GO, girl. That was a good response. There are two kinds of people;
the ones who just don't do the math and need
to be reminded what vets charge, and the ones who wouldn't pay for a
spay/neuter or probably vaccinations anyway.
Sherry

Christina Websell wrote:

I really don't know where I would get a "free" kitten where I live. It may
be different in other parts of Britain.
There are no feral cat colonies where I live either, but if somecat came
along homeless I would consider her/him to live with me. It's too soon yet
from KFC.
Except, what would I say if one came? You have to wait 6 months? No.

Tweed

My cats have all been 'free' - that is, I didn't pay anyone for them,
but of course I covered their vet fees when adopted. In fact, in the
case of Betsy, I kind of figured she was officially my cat, even in the
extremely unlikely situation of her former owners returning from out of
province to claim her or find he a home, because I'd just spent $X
(forget the exact amount) on her, and dammit, that made her MY cat!

You'll know when it's time. I knew when I opened an email about an
unwanted cat and looked at the pictures and thought - he looks like a
nice cat. Maybe I'll just enquire about him.....

Cheryl

On Jun 11, 10:54*pm, hopitus wrote:
On Jun 11, 9:03*pm, Sherry wrote:





On Jun 11, 5:05*pm, "Magic Mood Jeep" wrote:

"Sherry" wrote in message

....
On Jun 11, 3:38 pm, wrote:

Jofirey wrote:

Now, most places here, a free kitten from a shelter or rescue group
really isn't going to be free. I think we ended up paying about $80
for Molly. But that helped to reimburse the rescue organization for
the cost of her vet care, spay and shots etc. They would have waived
the fee if we had asked but it was for a good cause.

It's been said before, but another good reason to charge money is to
discourage impulsive adoptions. People are much more likely to take it
seriously when they have to plunk down some cash.

And while I don't think that only rich people should be allowed to have
pets, it does give one pause to consider that if you can't afford the
adoption fee, what are you going to do for veterinary care?

Keeps the more malicious people away, too - the ones who want bait for
dog fights, or to sell to a lab. They're not going to pay for that,
especially in the latter case - what would be the point?

--
Joyce ^..^

To email me, remove the XXX from my user name.

Some people act shocked when they come to the shelter and find out
that
"adoption fees" are $75, and make noise about not being able to afford
it.
It's ridiculous. They're getting the cat/kitten, which is neutered
(which the
vet would charge them around $100), plus feleuk testing ($40), plus
vaccinations ($55). It's a bargain. If they cannot afford $75 for all
that,
they can't afford the cat.
I absolutely loathe it when I see a "free kittens" sign.

Sherry

I agree. *I lambasted a local newspaper's online forum when people were
complaining about the high "fee". *At our local shelter, includes (normal
prices in parentheses):

+Spay/Neuter (normally $50-100, depending on vet you choose, and the
size/weight of the pet (some vets go by weight of dogs))

+FELV/FIV testing for cats/kittens ($30 lab fee)

+Heartworm testing for dogs/puppies ($30 lab fee)

+Age appropriate shots ($8-12 each)

+De-worming for intestinal parasites (this includes heartworm preventative
on dogs/puppies) ($20+ each)

+Flea/tick preventatives during their stay at the shelter ($20+ per
monthly application)

+Microchip ($25 registration fee, plus vet fee for insertion of the chip).

I then went on to call them "country bumpkins" who.... well, some people
took offense... but I chuckled at them, since this paper is from my
hometown (and only a county south from where I live now).

Here's a link to the thread, I'm known as Jeephttp://www.tmnews.com/stories/comments/cmt.php?sto_uri=L3N0b3JpZXMvMj...

--
*^..^ This is Kitty. Copy and paste Kitty into your signature to help
her
wipe out Bunny's world domination.
--
The ONE and ONLY
lefthanded-pathetic-paranoid-psychotic-sarcastic-wiseass-ditzy
former-blonde
in Bloomington! (And proud of it, too)©
email me at nalee1964 (at) comcast (dot) nethttp://community.webshots..com/user/mgcmdjeep-Hidequoted text -

- Show quoted text -

You GO, girl. That was a good response. There are two kinds of people;
the ones who just don't do the math and need
to be reminded what vets charge, and the ones who wouldn't pay for a
spay/neuter or probably vaccinations anyway.
Sherry

I save a lot of money by bringing my cats to regularly scheduled
"wellness vet
clinics" at our local animal control/shelter, which staffs such with
vet tech students
from local colleges and their forensic vet supervisor. Ditto
"immunization clinics" and
in this area (rumored nationwide) some manufacturer of pet microchips
has donated
thousands of their products to all local vets and shelters of this
area (MileHigh and
its 'burbs) so last time we went, free chips for all....and I
understand they still have
much of the 150,000 donated locally. The college vet people get hands
on experience
at the clinics, and *we* save big bucks instead of using vet practices
for these routine
needs for our pets.Even a senior discount is given. Can't lose.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

That's a great idea. In fact, I think every municipality should host a
vaccination
clinic once a year for discount vaccinations, either in cooperation
with local vets
or shelters or whatever. Everyone benefits; the cats are protected,
the owners
save money, and the community sees a decrease in disease. The
participating
vet even has the opportunity to meet potential new clients.

Sherry

Sherry wrote:

they can't afford the cat.
I absolutely loathe it when I see a "free kittens" sign.

I hope you don't think I was bemoaning the fact that I couldn't get a free
kitten. I don't want a kitten.
The point I was trying to make was that if the spaying/neutering program is
very successful and kittens become scarce and therefore cost supply/demand
money, does this attract some people to keep their cats entire to allow them
to breed?
Kittens are as rare as rocking horse sh*t where I live. "Ordinary" kittens,
not pedigree ones. Kittens that are advertised in the local newspaper are
snapped up and the prices keep rising. They could soon become a cash crop
for someone who has two or three girls at 4-6 kittens each at 30-50 quid
each kitten every six months.

We might get kitten farmers.

Tweed

Christina Websell wrote:
Sherry wrote:
they can't afford the cat.
I absolutely loathe it when I see a "free kittens" sign.

I hope you don't think I was bemoaning the fact that I couldn't get a free
kitten. I don't want a kitten.
The point I was trying to make was that if the spaying/neutering program is
very successful and kittens become scarce and therefore cost supply/demand
money, does this attract some people to keep their cats entire to allow them
to breed?
Kittens are as rare as rocking horse sh*t where I live. "Ordinary" kittens,
not pedigree ones. Kittens that are advertised in the local newspaper are
snapped up and the prices keep rising. They could soon become a cash crop
for someone who has two or three girls at 4-6 kittens each at 30-50 quid
each kitten every six months.

We might get kitten farmers.

It'll be either that, or few if any cats as pets, obviously, if very
large areas have all "ordinary" cats spayed or neutered. Pedigreed cat
owners have their own mechanisms for breeding and selling cats, and
fixing ones they don't want to breed; 'ordinary' cat owners don't.

Either extreme - too many unwanted cats or too few and too expensive
cats for most people to have as pets - isn't good.

Cheryl