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Numerous ads on classified platforms like Kijiji and Craigslist offer kittens for free. These ads make people question why they should adopt from a rescue and pay an adoption fee. However, nothing is truly free.
A "free" kitten" may seem appealing, but do not be allured by the idea of zero upfront cost. Read the comparison below to learn more that "free" adoption is laced with hidden costs.
Kitten Care
When adopting a kitten, it is important to provide proper care, which includes deworming, vaccinations, and spaying or neutering. These are necessary to ensure the kitten's health and prevent issues like diseases and overpopulation.
Kittens can become sexually mature as early as 5-6 months. Females go into heat frequently, displaying signs like excessive affection, restlessness, and loud vocalizations, while males may spray urine to attract mates. Spaying and neutering help reduce these behaviours. Additionally, spaying and neutering can prevent certain cancers and control the stray cat population.
Hidden Costs to a "Free" Adoption
Now, let us consider adopting a "free" kitten from these classified ads versus a rescue.
When initially adopting a “free” kitten, pet owners should factor in initial vet visit for vaccination, health check, spaying/neutering and also microchipping. Additionally, there is also costs for deworming and flea treatment. So, owning a "free" kitten can cost between $500 to $1,000 or more.
On the other hand, adopting from a rescue will cost pet owners one time adoption fee charge of around $325. This fee often covers initial vet care of the kittens and the kittens will go home with their initial care mentioned above, completed.
In the end, a "free" kitten is not free after considering the necessary expenses for responsible pet care.
