Is a very cheap cat adoption a red flag for new pet parents?

You can find people giving them away for free on places like Craigslist. However, these cats may or may not be healthy and will need some level of basic veterinary care (vaccines, spay/neuter and deworming), which can be $300 or more. The most cost-effective option for getting a cat is through a reputable, local shelter (i.e. SPCA, Humane Society, etc.). They will charge an adoption fee (about $100- $150), but you will be getting a cat that has been checked by a veterinarian, vaccinated, spay/neutered, dewormed and other treatment or testing as necessary. I hope that helps and all goes well with your search.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Since this is a pure bred cat check for pedigree papers. Check to see if the cattery is feline leukemia and FIV free. Check about any kittens/cats dying from Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP). Which vaccinations has it had and has she been dewormed. Has she had kittens before. Has she lived in a cage her whole life or was she free in the house, does she use the litter box (HUGE issue). Then check for sneezing, coughing, eye or nose discharge (as she is a Persian). Good luck!

Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach is an international network of vets and pet health advisers, we are not in any position to sell or send animals. You should contact your local vet clinics , shelters and animal charities for further advice

You can buy a cat from Craig's list for example, but I do not recommend buying a cat sight unseen. I never recommend that. You should always check out the home where it's coming from, you can assess it's condition, and seeing the cat makes sure you are getting the animal you have paid for. In addition, there are no websites where you can just buy a cat and have it shipped to you. I hope this helps.

I'm not quite sure what you're asking, here - feel free to post again if I'm not answering your question. The cost of obtaining a cat will depend on where you're getting it - different rescues and shelters will all have their own policies regarding adoption fees and whether they are different for spayed/neutered vs. intact animals. There are normally no significant differences in the costs of taking care of spayed/neutered animals vs. intact animals long term.

Are you 100% of the diagnosis? Was it made with a skin scrapings? It is not impossible, however it would be highly unusual, to get this diagnosis in a 6 month old kitten. Before you adopt her I suggest you get that information. If only a presumptive diagnosis has been made, then you should take her to a veterinary dermatologist to get a confirmative diagnosis. This is not a disease you want to treat them for if they don't actually have it. Diagnostic tests that should be performed include cytology, surface skin scrapings, and deep skin scrapings. If no problem is identified with these screening tests, and there is a clinical suspicion for pemphigus, then biopsies should be collected and cultures should be submitted to a laboratory for analysis. Cultures are recommended to rule out a topical disease process from bacterial or fugal infections. I cannot give you an overall cost associated with this disease as it would depend on which medication is used (all have different price points) and her response to the therapy. She would need at minimum yearly blood testing (cbc, chemistry, thyroid) for sure which can run ~$150-$200. The prognosis is very good. In cats even though most cats will require lifelong therapy to maintain remission. Hope this answers your questions. The first step is to make 100% of her diagnosis before adoption.

Hello. The cats & kittens offered at Petco are actually managed by individual rescue groups. Prices will differ from rescue to rescue. All cats can do well if they are played with & fussed over once you get home. Can they get into trouble & sometimes make a mess? Absolutely. If you do not want hair & dander & kitty litter tracked all over the house, you should not have a pet. Cats may need to have their claws trimmed ( NOT REMOVED ) & plenty of opportunities to exercise their claws, otherwise they will scratch your furniture, moldings & walls. You will need different types of scratching surfaces, plenty of toys, a water & food dish, litter box ( or 2 ), & lots of patience. All cats are individuals, so when you go looking to adopt a cat, take your family & give yourself plenty of time to spend with your potential pet, & ask lots of questions about them. Good luck & thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.