Rescue a Stray or Adopt a Shelter Cat?

Sometimes it's a better idea to bring a stray cat to a shelter then to rescue it yourself. There are costs associated with adopting a stray that a shelter would absorb.

When you first bring a stray cat home to rescue it, you will need to keep it separate from your other cats, if you have any. The stray cat will most likely have fleas and worms. There are also different types of worms, so the kitten or cat you're rescuing might have both. Getting fleas in your house is also not a small problem. It's possible to spend months getting rid of them because it's so hard to kill their eggs.

Your stray cat's first veterinarian appointment will include deworming, a checkup, and some shots. This is not cheap, but varies depending on where you take it. They will also test the stray cat for FIV, or Feline Leukemia. This disease is why you need to keep the stray away from your pets - it's contagious between cats. Chances are, the vet will also give you Frontline or another flea medication for the stray cat. Spaying and neutering may be an issue as well.

After all of the medical costs, your new stray cat or kitten will need food and supplies. If you don't already have cat supplies, they're not going to be cheap. You'll need a litter box, litter, toys, two bowls (one for food, one for water), some kind of scratching item, and food. If the cat is a kitten, kitten food is best. If the stray cat is underweight, the vet might suggest wet food in addition.

Even after all of that is over with, you might have to deal with behavioral problems. A stray cat isn't likely to notice you've rescued it at first - it will be scared, confused, and not used to being around people. An exception to this is a stray that was recently a pet but ended up on the streets somehow. If the stray cat you've rescued scratches up your walls or carpet, and you're renting, it could cause problems. If the cat is unaltered, then a male's spraying can cause a lot of household problems, too.

Shelters can be better than rescuing a stray because they charge a flat fee for adoption. Many of the cats at shelters are already spayed or neutered, and if not you receive a voucher to save money on it. All of the cats from shelters are already vetted, and often the people working at the shelter will know of any behavioral problems.

It's very hard not to adopt that stray kitten you found next to the dumpster at work, but take into consideration all of these factors before getting in over your head with a very expensive pet.