Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6

Original poster

Apparently I shouldn't have a cat because i'm disabled and need to use the PDSA

145 replies

Tobythecat · 22/03/2018 11:25

I'm a bit upset, i'm autistic and moved out of parents home a few years ago and decided to get a cat for company as I'm unable to work as i'm autistic. The cat was a stray and a family member had to get rid of him as his other cat wasn't getting on with him, so I took him in and he's such a lovely cat.

I use the PDSA for his treatment as i'm on a low income, and my "friend" said that I shouldn't have a cat because I rely on a charity for his treatment.

My lovely cat means the world to me, but because of the misfortune of me being autistic and unable to work, I should be denied the love and company of a pet? He brings me so much joy. I always donate for his treatment.

OP posts:

LanguidLobster · 22/03/2018 18:14

I didn't realise before this thread that PDSA had a budget for some pet bills.

The budget has to go to someone though, doesn't it? So it's going to someone who is taking care of a healthy, loved cat??

Honestly even nice people can come out with all sorts of bizarre rubbish at times, best to ignore it - easier said than done.

MissPiggysKarateChop · 22/03/2018 18:16

I now have Cat's Protection adverts on MN flaunting lovely cats at me as if it knows I badly want another one.

AlpacaPicnic · 22/03/2018 18:51

Matthew hopes Toby is well, and invites him to share his corncob...

Apparently I shouldn't have a cat because i'm disabled and need to use the PDSA

ApocalypseNowt · 22/03/2018 19:02

PDSA helped my gran with her dog. They were always lovely and I'm sure having her much loved dog as a companion gave my gran a few more years than she may have otherwise.

Your cat is lovely OP. Very handsome chap.

manicinsomniac · 22/03/2018 19:02

Oh my goodness, I'm so glad you posted this.

I have a friend who can't work (severe, chronic mental health problems rather than being disabled but same principal, I would think). She begged her landlady to let her have a cat and, now landlady has relented, the cat has made the biggest difference imaginable to my friend's life. But it's an old cat and my friend is terrified about not being able to afford vet bills.

I've never heard of the PDSA and, given how worried she is, I doubt my friend has either. I'm going to phone her and tell her about it right now. Sounds like a lifesaver.

And YANBU!

MsMims · 22/03/2018 19:09

He’s gorgeous and it’s brilliant that he has a home with you around in the day for him.

One thing I would say, is please do budget for about £20 per month for pet insurance if you can. Having had cats who needed specialist treatment, the bills ran into the many thousands very quickly. I don’t know for sure, but doubt the PDSA would cover costs of treatment at a specialist?

AnnieAnoniMouse · 22/03/2018 19:13

He’s gorgeous.

He definitely looks very pissed off though! I think he thinks you should be opening those packets, not pissing about taking photos 🤣

MorningsEleven · 22/03/2018 19:30

Don't cats always look pissed off?

Daifuku9 · 22/03/2018 20:00

Alpaca, Matthew is just too adorable.

LanaKanesTerfyVagina · 22/03/2018 20:12

Oh op.

Your cat is just beautiful. He looks so healthy and he definitely has that look in his eye.
Your so called friend is a complete arsewipe and twatbadger.
I donate to the PDSA precisely so pets that otherwise wouldn't be rehomed can be taken in by people who couldn't otherwise afford it.
Especially people for whom having a pet can mean the difference between loneliness/severe depression or company/a better mental health.
I literally donate for you.

Please don't ever feel guilty.
Pets need homes, loving, happy healthy homes, and if it requires a charity for that, instead of the poor things being stuck in a rescue or out on the streets, then I for one am happy with that.

Thank you for being the kind of person to take in a stray and nurture them.

Give him a tummy rub from me op

Original poster

Tobythecat · 22/03/2018 20:37

Alpaca What a beautiful boy Matthew is!

Tobycat always looks pissed off, i don't know why! He has such an expressive little face, love my tuxedo boy!

Lana Thank you so very much from both me and Toby

OP posts:

AlpacaPicnic · 22/03/2018 20:42

Aww, thank you daifuku and Toby! He's a quirky cat aren't they all? and he's a little gannet... he'll eat anything visible. He loves gnawing on a used corncob and licking shower water. The furry weirdo.
He and his brother bring so much joy to my life, I'm so glad that Toby brings joy to you.

zukiecat · 22/03/2018 21:03

He's gorgeous! I love tuxedos and have two myself

I also use PDSA and they're wonderful, one of my cats was a rescue and the other two (one is a tabby and white) came from a farm, so god knows what kind of life they would have had

I also donate to the PDSA, with money and also food bowls, and things to use for bedding

My cats have seen me through many a tough time, I don't think I'd still be here if it wasn't for them

Ontheboardwalk · 22/03/2018 21:04

Erm I sorry but you are being YABVVVU how can you make Toby pose for a picture with Dreamies still in the packet!!

I also didn’t know PDSA had a budget for vet bills. I've made a donation on Toby's behalf.

DairyisClosed · 22/03/2018 21:05

The cat is cared for. The charity is fulfilling it's purpose. What is the issue?

Miscella · 22/03/2018 21:08

Only one way to deal with ‘friends’ like that - take plenty of no notice.

Your cat is gorgeous, obviously well loved and I’m sure he gives loads of love back.

Stillscreaming · 22/03/2018 21:17

That's a lovely cat and his treatment is exactly why people donate to the PDSA. You need to think about rehoming the 'friend'.

DumbledoresApprentice · 22/03/2018 21:25

This is exactly why the PDSA exist. I make a donation every month by direct debit precisely so that people like you can get treatment for your pets. It is the whole point of the charity.

caoraich · 22/03/2018 21:26

Och. He is absolutely lovely! He looks happy, healthy, well-groomed and well fed. And you have put a collar with one of those sensible wee tags on them on him - all signs of an excellent pet owner / cat slave.

This is just what the PDSA are for - they help make it so that people in positions like you are able to keep pets in a lovely home and the pet doesn't end up in a shelter. They're a great charity and their ethos is why I donate to them. I'd happily tell that to your "friend", who doesn't sound like much of a friend at all!

Now come to the litter tray board, tell us what he's up to and post cat pics to your heart's content

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 22/03/2018 21:35

Op you have a gorgeous tobycat.

Mumsiecat is black and white and looks very like your gorgeous one.

Do not let your "friend" get into your head.

You deserve your cat-and the joy a lovely pet brings.

Puffycat · 22/03/2018 21:39

A home is not complete without a cat! The PDSA exsists for reasons like yours, enjoy your cat, you also give donations so yar boo sucks to your friend!

CoolCarrie · 22/03/2018 21:46

What a lovely cat he is ! Lucky you and lucky cat!

duckfilledfattypuss · 22/03/2018 21:52

OP I think you and your cat are incredibly lucky to have found each other. I hope you have a long, healthy and happy life together (and yes, your friend is a numpty)

happynapper99 · 22/03/2018 21:56

He is a gorgeous boy.

I'm going to make a point of nominating PDSA as a charity we support at work - we pick one every month.

Ellendegeneres · 22/03/2018 22:03

Oh Toby is gorgeous!

Op if it makes you feel any better, I’m out of work, also disabled and took on our rescue knowing it’d be unlikely I’ll ever be able to work again. I had her spayed- thanks cats protection! And she is now living the life she deserves. My dc and I adore her and she loves attacking feet if I wear fluffy socks which doesn’t suit me since my disability is a physical one and she’s made me fall more than once already.
But she makes me. She actually makes me. My dc make it worth getting up in the morning, she makes it worth making them go to bed so I get kitty cuddles on the sofa 😂

Do you see Toby as a therapy cat? I do with our poppet. She calms me, with every stroke of her velvety fur, I feel the stress leave me. She can’t take away my pain- even my pills don’t do that- but she makes it bearable. So if Toby does any of that for you while giving you love- tell your friend to fuck off from me.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6