Cat owners - thoughts please

[chickenmama]

Went to visit RSPCA today and found a lovely cat. Was very keen to go ahead until I saw the prices - he's an older one, so will cost £75... could have been £90 or even £105 if he'd have been younger. With this the cats are neutered, vaccinated, micro chipped and it includes a compulsory donation. And he's a lovely temperament, and good around kids. But still, it's a lot more than I expected to pay...

I haven't owned a cat before so was wondering, am I getting a bargain here or is it worth looking elsewhere for a cheaper moggy?

It does depend where abouts you are but just as an idea vaccine course approx £60 neutering costs male approx £50 microchip costs approx £20 if you get all these done for yourself. I'd say a good bargain. Please though make sure you are prepared to deal with ongoing health costs before you make the choice to take him. Arrange pet insurance for him (assuming he is young enough) so you don't get any heavy bills that will not be covered - all that will cost you then will be the insurance excess.If he is too old to insure then only take him if you are in a situation where you could afford him if he needs veterinary attention.
Sounds like you love him already so hopefully he is coming home soon

Cats come at a price and are an ongoing expense, but they give so much. Please take him.

Oh dear, coming on here is like talking to my dd - she spotted him first and keeps asking when her cat is coming to live at her house

Thanks for the insurance tip, I hadn't thought of that. He's between 1 and 3 (they can't be sure, so falls into the cheapest band) so not old at all really and he's very playful, seems quite kitten-like to me.

Looks like I'll be putting my deposit down on Monday

The biggest outlay is most definitely at the beginning. The neutering op costs a fair bit and the first run of vaccinations. Our pet insurance is about a fiver a month.

Apart from the insurance, we just pay for cat food and occasionally some litter if we are going away for a weekend/holiday. Neighbours can easily take care of a cat.

We got our kitten for free but once we had the neutering op, the jags, the bed and carrier etc, there was a considerable initial outlay. So I wouldn't think that price is too much.

See the £75 as helping towards the cats upkeep that aren't being taken and payment for the centre looking after your puss cat until you found him.

Ours were £50 each nearly 5 years ago, as kittens.

I would get him if that's the only thing holding you back.

We have often sat here and said they were well worth the money

i got a young cat from RSPCA for £95 and she is lovely, has been neutered, vaccinated and micro chipped.

I also privately bought a kitten for £50 with none of the above. (RSPCA wouldn't let me have a young kitten as my youngest isn't yet 5). My little kitten will definately end up being the more expensive as neuering and micro chipping is fairly expensive.

Rescue centre pets are definately more cost effective!

I agree, I had a rescue (sort of) cat that cot me £100 but had everything done, and bought 2 kittens for £20 each. The kittens definatly worked out a lot more expensive.

we found an abandoned kitten a couple of years ago

the jabs and microchipping cost over £80 alone , then the cost of castration on top , which i think was about £45

for that price, your puss is a bargain.

think of all the years of loving she is going to give you!

we got our mog for free and was already microchipped.
pdsa tell me its £19 for neutering. now just waiting for her to come out of season!