Yearly Cat Booster Jabs - do you?

Sazzyukrafc

But if you can afford to get your cat neutered why can't you afford to get vacinations? To me, they are both as important as each other. Actually, having a pregnant cat or a tom getting others pregnant is not as bad as a cat dying from catching a disease or spreading it to others.

Trudij - I agree with your point about leaving with neighbours/friends. Our friends look after our boys when we're away for the weekend. I was so worried when we were going away and the thought of leaving them with a stranger was killing me! Luckily, my auntie and uncle own a cattery/kennels and took them in I hated the thought of them being alone and not knowing where we were, but at least I knew they were with someone I trusted. My mum and dad went to see them too a few times.

I personally just wouldn't risk my boys' health for a small amount of money, which I bet you spend on clothes without even thinking.

Notsosharp

Hi,

Sorry about yesterday it was a case of fingers typing before the brain was fully in gear! I do think that when you let a cat out you take the risk of it going missing or getting hit by a car and I think there is probably more chance of that happening then it catching an illness but I am probably wrong. It is a preventable risk though and I have thought about it and called the vets to see how much it would cost, turns out its £52.50 which is not as bad as I thought (when my Mum had a cat vaccinated last it cost her something like £60 for just one jag!). So now all I need to do is save the money which could take a while unfortunately.

I could afford to have my two neutered because its not that expensive to get a male cat done and plus I got vouchers from the CPL towards the cost. I don't spend money on clothes very often, most of my stuff comes from charity shops etc so I rarely buy new.

Sazzyukrafc

Do the CPL not do vouchers for vacinations? You could try that route, you never know unless you ask

Sazzyukrafc

That was supposed to be a smiley face....does this work... lol!

harryharp

I have 3 cats, and my vet has a scheme where you can pay by monthly direct debit for yearly vaccinations, and it includes a supply of monthly flea (Frontline) and 3-monthly worming treatments. If you're on the scheme you can also get 10% off any products you buy at the vet, such as food. It costs us £28 per month for all 3 cats.

simontheiceman

harryharp wrote: »

I have 3 cats, and my vet has a scheme where you can pay by monthly direct debit for yearly vaccinations, and it includes a supply of monthly flea (Frontline) and 3-monthly worming treatments. If you're on the scheme you can also get 10% off any products you buy at the vet, such as food. It costs us £28 per month for all 3 cats.

Excellent - I run such a scheme and am about the same price - £9 per cat and if more than 1 then 10% discount on top. Also discount routine consults, food and dentistry under the same scheme as a bonus. I even do one where the dentistry is included - up to as much is required by the pet. This works well where a client cannot pay up front the whole amount - so we ask for a deposit and then monthly budgeting commitment. These will be the future as we have continuously grown the number of clients on the scheme for 4 years now and have held the prices for the same time (Whilst increasing prices for Pay-as-you-go). PDSA clients particularly like it due to the budgeting element. Next step is a basic healthcare cover like the PDSA (limited treatment but perfectly adequate), for about £10 per month. I am specifically aiming at those who cant afford to insure but cant get on the PDSA scheme. Should be launching 2009.

harryharp

Sounds good.

Frankly, I feel those people who have managed to get their cats to a ripe old age without vaccinating them, have been very lucky. tbh (and I know I'm going to get up some people's noses by saying this), I feel that vaccination is part of responsible pet ownership. If you can't afford to look after your pet properly, despite of any easy payment schemes or help from outside agencies, then you should really not be keeping a pet at all. It is not fair to the animal.

Sazzyukrafc

Great schemes there, I'm looking into pet insurance at the moment for my boys.

Harry - completely agree!

Notsosharp

Yes you are getting up my nose Harry, its an especially judgemental thing to say.

I don't think its fair that we should be denied the chance to give pets loving, secure homes just because we don't have as much money as some. Would you say we should also not have children because we cannot afford them? Lots of money does not always equal lots of love.

Just because people have a lot of money it does not mean they will be responsible pet owners, look at Paris Hilton. And I was watching X-factor on Saturday and Cheryl whatsherface just let her dog pee in the hotel and didn't even react leaving other people to clean up.

I am responsible, they are neutered and they are insured, it just so happens that I can't afford the jags right now. Even if I had the money I am not sure I would do it.

hotmama

Having read all the above i think i fit in the 'moron' category. My 'Minx' is 18 months and has been neutured. i think it may be ignorance but i really did not know cats were due an annual MOT. My vet said nothing!! She has had no jabs and is i guess healthy. When i go away she stays with my mum, whcih she is more than happy to do, so never needed a cattery to know about these things.

I think i will now take heed and look into the jabs and try and protect my moggie.:o