VOLUME 2, ISSUE 2

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Some potential adopters ask us why "kittens cost more" to adopt.

Well, actually it's that adult cats "cost" less!

Both cats and kittens need food, fresh water, a clean litter box, time, attention, and loving care.   But kittens typically need much, much more.

Many if not most come from feral mothers or from mothers some kind-hearted family has rescued from stray or abandoned situations before turning them over to Folsom Feline Rescue.

It is not uncommon at all for these kittens, if weaned, to be found thin, hungry, dehydrated, flea-ridden, with ear mites, worms, and infected eyes.  After being treated for these all too common signs of the typically desperate feral existence, some also come down with "upper respiratory", the equivalent of the common cold in humans.  This malady must be treated with antibiotics for a minimum of ten days.  Some kittens also have any of a number of debilitating parasites (which can cause life-threatening diarrhea and dehydration) which first must be diagnosed, then treated.

If the kittens are orphans, they must be hand-raised which means formula, lots of not inexpensive formula.

If the kittens are rescued with the mother as newborns or close to it, then there are still weeks of care before they are old enough to be weaned, become accustomed to eating soft cat food, then kitten kibble, given the first of a series of vaccinations, wormed, tested, and neutered or spayed.  Only then, having been judged in perfect health, are they ready for adoption.

Lastly, the kittens also need to be socialized - but we don't charge for that because it is one of the most enjoyable and rewarding tasks of fostering kittens.

On the other hand, adult cats' time spent in Folsom Feline Rescue's foster system can be quite short.   A beautiful calico was surrendered to us when her owner had to go into a nursing home.  She was already spayed and in perfect condition.  We brought her up to date on her shots, wormed her, put her on flea prevention, and then had her examined and tested for FELV/FIV.

The following weekend, she was adopted her first time out.

Another example is a friendly "blue" female, who was left homeless when her owner abruptly moved out of the apartment complex, leaving a bewildered cat to wander around looking for her owner.  This beauty was picked up by us on Saturday, wormed, given her shots, and put on flea prevention on Sunday, examind, tested, and spayed on Tuesday, and adopted out the following Saturday at her first event.

Of course, some adults are with us for weeks or even many months, but these are exceptions rather than the rule.

So kittens "cost more" because kittens typically need much, much more in the way of veterinarian visits, medicine, vaccinations, and food. 

But whatever cats and kittens "cost," the "return" in love and affection is - priceless.