AIBU thinking this is just really irresponsible to get a kitten!

It's awful to get a vulnerable, dependent thing without properly planning and finding out about it first. I'd love lots of pets (and more kids) but as I can't afford, in either time or money, to do that properly, I don't.
Wish people had to pass a test/get qualifications as they do before they're allowed to drive. Obviously there's some idiots on the road/people who ignore the laws, but if licences/insurance/MOT became optional, imagine how much worse it could be.
None of my business? It makes me angry when I see animals, or kids, suffer because of people like your friend, OP. I know someone who works in animal welfare, and too many people think it's "free like it is with kids" (as in the taxpayer will sort out medical bills/food-did this friend think she'd get extra benefits or free food/vet bills?

I hope to God they're either female, or neutered. You wouldn't credit it, but some dumbarses think that cats won't mate if they're in the same household - because they're like brother and sister, don't you know?

Have a now 13 yo cat. Very bad idea not to get insurance!

And the cost of insurance for older cats is crippling!

But the woman is clearly an irresponsible idiot who hasn’t bothered to do even basic research. It’s this kind of person who ends up with a litter of kittens & either sells them with no idea what kind of homes they’re going to or abandons them for someone else to take responsibility.

The OP said the woman doesn't have insurance or spayed the first cat, presently she won't do for the new car either, so the only extra coat is food

And indoor cats need a lot more entertainment & enrichment. They’re not the easy option. My 7-year-old has a cat-proofed balcony & the flat is more or less a cat adventure playground.

Indoor cats can still get fleas and worms and need to be treated the same as outdoor cats do. They also still need vaccinations if they're ever going to go into a cattery.

Insurance doesn't just cover accidents from going outside - what about illnesses, dental treatment, a broken leg because the cat jumped off the sofa and landed wrong, for example?

Indoor cats can still get arthritis, cancer, thryroid trouble, dental problems - plenty of reasons that they might need expensive vet treatment.

Are you the lady OP is talking about?

I just got two kittens and our only cat died two years ago - so have the numbers to hand.

2x cat food, 2x litter, 2x insurance (which keeps going up!), 2x vet bills… Yeah, they share toys!

We can comfortably afford it, but I was rather unimpressed by the cost increase.

Spaying a cat costs about £130. Anyone who can't afford to do that for their cat can't afford to have one and care for it properly.

Em, what are the costs of grooming a moggy?

Poor cats. Unspayed females can also get a life threatening uterine infection - Pyometra. There may be local charities or rescues that offer discounted neutering.

I understand why you'd feel that way, OP. Someone I know has just gotten a puppy, after rehoming their kitten a few months ago. The reason being that the cat didn't like their baby! Poor cat was only about a year old. The baby is now scared of the dog instead.

It’s cruel not to spay / neuter cats, even indoor cats. And I know because I’ve fostered cats who were waiting to be done.

From the age of about 4 months, female kittens / cats who aren’t spayed will go into heat every few months & be desperate to find a mate. They’ll be restless & wailing. Even if the cat is usually happy to stay inside, your stupid neighbour might find she manages to get out.

Unspayed female cats are also more likely to get various cancers.

As for unneutered males, they’re aggressive, restless & again, more in danger of getting various diseases.

If she contacts Cats Protection they may be able to help.

www.cats.org.uk/what-we-do/neutering/financial-assistance

Indoor cats are much cheaper to keep as they won't need fleaing, worming or vaccinations as they aren't coming into contact with other cats or hunting mice. Also cats groom themselves, there are no grooming costs usually. Maybe won't need insurance either as they are not at risk of accidents as they don't go out. I don't think it's worth making a fuss about it really.

I disagree. Cats are territorial and don’t like living in close proximity. Unless the house is big enough or they can go out to get some space most cats only tolerate each other at best, at worst there will be spraying and behavioural issues- been there.

cynical me suspects they have a male cat, and are intending to sell kittens.

if she’s on benefits there are schemes to spay and neuter pets. Not affording it isn’t an excuse.

My vets has finance options for bigger vet bills so maybe that would be an option. Not saying I agree with the woman getting another pet, but this option does exist in some vets

If a cat is uninsured then when it gets too ill to be treated cheaply it will be put to sleep

I think it’d be awkward to stop being friends with her when your daughters are so close to be honest, maybe back away a bit but I wouldn’t be making my kids life harder because she’s made a different choice to you. Like you said she’s not exactly neglecting her pets

Are both cats the same sex? Because if not and they’re not getting spayed/neutered she may well have a few more than 2 to feed and care for in a few months.

Amazing! Could you please point me in the direction of the insurance company, vets and food brand that do 2-4-1?

They definitely can't

It is the height of stupidity. I have seen so many people 'adopt' rescue cats and dogs with zero idea how much it costs to keep them. If you cannot afford to feed them, spay/neuter them, have them groomed/insured/yearly boosters/flea and worm treatments etc then you simply do not get one. I wont even go into the people who get dogs and never bother their arses to walk the poor things.

Gofundme sli expect. It seems full of please help me because I didnt get insurance and now I have bills to pay requests.

Thats a joke, right?