Upset at the Ottawa Humane Society

[nonamian_girl]

I have to disagree once again sandra. I've volunteered at the Humane Society this summer and the adoption of a cat--spay/neuter included, costs only $150, and I'm sure the Humane Society would not be giving away animals at a price which would actually put them at a financial deficit.

Percy's Mom had a good suggestion.

[fairysari]

The Ottawa Spay-Neuter Clinic: Spay/Neuter Clinic

[this_lil_piggy]

The last time I checked with my vet on spay/neuter prices it was $65.00 for cats, and then dogs were $65, $75, or $100 depending on which weight category the dog fell into.
I know the Humane Society does spay/neuter drives quite a bit at the Petco in Southaven Ms too. You can take your dog/cat there during the drive and register them to be sterilized and the cost is like $15.00 for the operation. I have also heard that the Humane Societies here offer spay/neutur of dogs and cats of low income families for $15.00.

[sandra]

Originally Posted by nonamian_girl

I have to disagree once again sandra. I've volunteered at the Humane Society this summer and the adoption of a cat--spay/neuter included, costs only $150.

One thing for sure is that spay/neuter prices in Canada sure aint even close to the US spay/neuter price... Weither its $150C or $200C (not all vets have same pricing), at the vet near my place it is $200C and bigger goes close to $250C, thats a fact... so I dont know why you said you desagreed with me!?! weird. Looks like Canada prices are MUCH higher than US prices...

[nonamian_girl]

Oh well I don't disagree that they may be higher than in the US, I just think that if you shop around a little you can find a better deal is all.

[sandra]

Originally Posted by nonamian_girl

Oh well I don't disagree that they may be higher than in the US, I just think that if you shop around a little you can find a better deal is all.

True. I know that Vets gotta make a living....But if spay/neutering is extremely important, they should lower their prices. If vets in US can... why not here?! A single consultation without any other treatment is already $35.... Add up spay/neutering + time pet will have to stay at the vet + taxes..... it is costy!!

[nonamian_girl]

I'm sure if you did look into getting it done at a place associated with a Humane society, they would give you a deal.

Even if it's expensive, it is a one-time expense and a worthwhile one at that.

I'm not trying to be condescending or anything, I just think, especially after reading the above-stories, the risk by far outweighs the cost and I wouldn't want to take that risk personally.

I used to think that spaying/neutering is gross, unnatural and inhumane, but now that I'm older and I see how many homeless animals there are, I've definitely changed my mind, especially coming from a country (Poland) where all the strays just roam free yet NO one fixes their pet.

Yes it's different here, especially if your pet is indoor, but the bottom line is that you just never know, and if it is available and accessible and the cost isn't TREMENDOUSLY high (which it's really not, that just comes with owning an animal), then I just don't see a reason to not do it.

[Coiler]

Hi Sandra, Unfortunately, it is very expensive to spay/neuter a cat. I did find a vet with reasonable prices in Boucherville (forget reasonable in Montreal) Cats : female=60$ male=41$ Dogs : female=115$ male=88$ If your pet is not vaccineted or you cant find his papers, vaccines are 24$ For those who dont have a car or someone to help you with transport, someone will pick up your pet and brim him back to your place for 25$. Hôpital vétérinaire d'ArgensonDr Jean Demers DMV17 rue D'Argenson, Boucherville450-655-7773 argenson@msn.comI&quot If you need help, I can have your cat picked up here because I'm not sure they go to Laval. I know you are in Ottawa but just in case you can bring your cat with you when you come to Quebec. I'm writing the infos here for anyone else who needs it. Good luck

[Percy's Mom]

Originally Posted by sandra

Add up spay/neutering + time pet will have to stay at the vet + taxes..... it is costy!!

Obviously you've already made up your mind. You're convinced that because nothing has happened for 9 years, nothing ever will happen, and you're thinking with your wallet. Going with the "wallet" mentality, which would be more expensive, having your cat spayed now or in the event of an accidental pregnancy gone wrong and your cat ends up with a prolapsed uterus, an emergency spay has to be done then? Believe me, the $200C could end up being $500C+.

I know you think it's impossible for anything to happen to your cat, but that's an incredibly naive viewpoint. If your cat is in heat and the door happens to be open for any reason, a stray would be very likely to rush in, not only to get out of the cold this time of year, but to mate with your intact cat. It's also not at all uncommon for a cat that's advancing in years to run out the door, whether they have ever done it or not.

I sincerely hope that you're right, and you never have any tragic problems or unexpected litters. I wouldn't be willing to take the chance though, and if it were my cat, I'd be positively ill if something did happen to her someday that I could have easily prevented.

[exsNohs]

the door happens to be open for any reason, a stray would be very likely to rush in, not only to get out of the cold this time of year, but to mate with your intact cat.

I've never in my LIFE had an animal in my house that just "rushed in the door."

possibly even breaking a door or windowpane.

I also have an alarm system and if anything like that were to happen, the alarm would immediatly sound.

My best guess is that my husband took her out for a potty break and didn't watch her,

The point is, it only happens when you dont WATCH your pet and know where they are and what theyre doing every minute. Like a child.

[Sabriel]

Just a question here, but do we even know if Sandra lives in a house? For all we know she could live on the 11th floor of a high rise apartment or condo. She does live in a large metropolitan area, so it is likely. I just find that most of these hypothetical situations are more likely to happen in a house or town home and not so likely to happen in a large apartment complex.

[Percy's Mom]

Originally Posted by exsNohs

I've never in my LIFE had an animal in my house that just "rushed in the door."

Then you're very lucky. It happens quite often.

I also have an alarm system and if anything like that were to happen, the alarm would immediatly sound.

If you're home when it happens, I hope you are quick enough to catch a feral tom cat with his mind set on mating, and in some cases have good insurance to pay for the injuries you might incur trying to stop him. If it would happen when you're not home, I certainly hope you have money to pay for vet bills.

The point is, it only happens when you dont WATCH your pet and know where they are and what theyre doing every minute. Like a child.

And accidents still happen. Cats, dogs, guinea pigs are all wiggly, and if they want to get away from their owners they will.

[Coiler]

exsNohs you have been lucky so far .... And, alarms for pets ? I live in an appartment on the second floor and that did not stop one of my cats to escape through the window that had no screen (mosquito net) I was lucky to find her. Before that an other cat (spayed) escape through an open door when I was talking to someone. My son and I never saw her passing through ! When we did find her she had been hit by a car and had to be euthanased because her injuries were so bad. And you know what exsNohs ! I think you are writing those stupids comments only because you love the attention. GET A LIFE ! ASAP !

[VoodooJoint]

I do believe that the chances of Sandra's cat getting pregnant are slim. However, I do know that the chances of her cat having reproductive organ illnesses, mammery cancer, having the stress of false pregnancies and the susceptibility of other illnesses are greatly increased. Did you know that 50% of unspayed cats get mammery tumors compared to 1% of cats that are spayed before their first heat cycle?

The argument isn't really if Sandra should or shouldn't spay her 9 year old cat. It's about the fact that spaying/neutering at an early age is in the animals' and owners' best interests.

It's also about why the SPCA would not adopt out to someone with an unaltered animal. In my opinion they should not make an adoption in a case like that unless there is a valid and documented medical reason for the animal not to be spayed or neutered (like a heart condition that makes surgery too risky).

As I stated before there are many good reasons to spay a cat. They only reasons not to are for breeding and the cost. As we know breeding is irresponsible and medical problems later in life that can result from not spaying an animal will be more costly then the spay would have been.

[exsNohs]

And you know what exsNohs ! I think you are writing those stupids comments only because you love the attention. GET A LIFE ! ASAP !

Excuse me.. im writing comments on this forum because thats what a forum is FOR. umm... duh?? I dont need any attention. Im stating how I feel about the subject, just like EVERYBODY else is doing. Just because you dont agree doesnt mean you need to say my opinions are stupid. Sounds to me like you need to "get a life" if you cant handle the fact that everybody in this world doesnt agree on everthing. Your comment sounds a little "stupid" to me...

I live in an appartment on the second floor and that did not stop one of my cats to escape through the window that had no screen (mosquito net) I was lucky to find her. Before that an other cat (spayed) escape through an open door when I was talking to someone.

..umm, probably because you werent responsible enough to WATCH her.. thats why you didnt see her. Maybe when opening the door you should've picked her up first for the chance of her running out. Be more smart about the situation and you wont have those types of things happen to the animals. Ecsecially if you have a window open or without the screen.. mine are all SECURED with the screens ON them, thanks.

[VoodooJoint]

It's getting personal folks. Time to step back, cool down and take a deep breath.

Debating is fine but this is bordering on name calling and personal attacks. I don't want to have to start handing out impactions.