First of, I want to say that I totally understand that animals aren't toys that can be given away when you don't want them anymore. I had my Golden Retriever his whole life and I have three cats, one of which I've had since kitten hood and he is now about 8. I have two other cats, who I've also had since kittens. I'm telling you this because I have never made it a habit to get rid of my animals, no matter what happens. But I am 17, living under my parents roof and we are in terrible financial standings. We don't have money. And when we do, it goes to make up for the past due bills. We have our Golden and a Cocker, and 3 cats. Two of my cats I couldnt imagine my life without so I would never get rid of them. But the third cat I have just never connected with. She doesn't like me, in fact she has bitten me several times. I would never wish anything bad to happen to her but in my eyes she is just another mouth to feed. And with us not having the money right now, and with the cats eating as much as they do (we go through about a 3 lb. Bag a week) I'm really considering rehoming her. I feel bad because I brought her home but my parents pay for food and right now the last thing I want them to have to worry about is feeding my animal.

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RIP to my Golden Boy Cruz; <3 Gone but never forgotten. "My old friend this song's for you
Cause a few simple verses was the least that I could do
To tell the world that you were here
'Cause the love and the laughter will live on long after
All of the sadness and the tears
We'll meet again my old friend"

I honestly would first sort out where this cat will go next. If you have a home lined up and this will be a forever home where this cat will be provided for and never want or need anything - I'd do it.

If there was any uncertainty - then no. I would not want that surrendered animal on my conscience. Especially considering the surplus of cats who need homes.

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Always loved, never forgotten, all our previous boys -

I'm not sure what the answer is for your question but I will tell you what I told my kids when they were your age. And I mean this in the nicest way....if you have a pet you have to get a part time job to buy pet food.

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I agree. Like I said, I wish nothing bad on her, but I have never had a connection with her. & I wouldnt just pawn her off to the first person that wanted her, i would genuinely want the best for her, especially because I havent been able to provide for her like I wish I could. (she has sadly never had any shots and isnt spayed because of financial reasons.)

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RIP to my Golden Boy Cruz; <3 Gone but never forgotten. "My old friend this song's for you
Cause a few simple verses was the least that I could do
To tell the world that you were here
'Cause the love and the laughter will live on long after
All of the sadness and the tears
We'll meet again my old friend"

Oh but your mistaken, I do have a job. I babysit most every day after school for my sister who is in school full time and working part time I just don't get payed for it most of the time and shes pretty broke too. I'd get an actual paying job but that would mean my sister would either have to drop out of school or hire someone to watch the kids which she can't afford to. When we got this cat, everything was going great for us finanicaly otherwise my parents would have never allowed me to bring her home

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RIP to my Golden Boy Cruz; <3 Gone but never forgotten. "My old friend this song's for you
Cause a few simple verses was the least that I could do
To tell the world that you were here
'Cause the love and the laughter will live on long after
All of the sadness and the tears
We'll meet again my old friend"

I don't want to lecture, but the humane society offers low cost spay/neuters and vaccines. There's absolutely no excuse for not taking a cat in to have them fixed. I'm neutral about neutering/spaying dogs, because it's much easier to control them and keep them from sneaking outside. Cats on the other hand will inevitably get outside at some point in their lives.

My sister and her boyfriend recently adopted a cat that somebody had abandoned at the apartment complex where the boyfriend lives. Spaying the girl cost $50. Neutering a boy cat would have cost $25.

I wanted to strangle somebody I worked with who owned 4 or 5 cats who she let wander loose during the day. And all of them were intact male cats. She used the excuse that she couldn't afford to neuter them - which was baloney.

/end rant

Before you rehome her, please get her fixed. Spaying her might calm her down too.

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Always loved, never forgotten, all our previous boys -

Curious, How long have you had this cat?

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Practically speaking, I am not sure how much money you will save getting rid of one cat just by cutting down on a little cat food...I just don't think it will be significant enough for you and your family to notice a huge difference. Especially since this cat doesn't require any medical care and hasn't had any in the past.

With that said though, it sounds as though the deciding factor is because you haven't really connected with her. I can understand your frustration, especially since you are in a hard financial situation. I think it is obviously ideal to not get rid of your cat. It is used to being in your home with your other animals and humans. However, I agree that if there is no other option, then you would need to find a loving forever home, and not take it to a shelter.

What do your parents say? It sounds like an awfully big decision for a 17 year old to make on their own. I am sorry you are going through this...

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Have you discussed this with your parents? If not I would before doing anything.
Another thought - how much would that really save your folks by re-homing the one cat. And I am NOT saying they should all be re-homed. Just don't think it would make that big a difference.

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Hank and the girls

Lucy - UDX RN MX MXJ WC CCA VCX Can CDX WC

Oriana - UDX VER WC CCA VC

Brooke - UD CCA

Waiting at the Bridge

Brandi - CDX (1992 - 2003)

Kizmet - Am/Can CD (2005 - 2007)

Keeper - Can OTCh UD RN SH MX MXJ OAP AJP WC CCA VCX OD Can AGN WC VC (1996 - 2010)

Our cat eats Solid Gold cat food at the cost of $10 per month (plus treats, but she could do without those). Litter is about another $10 per month. We buy her toys, but she doesn't play with them anyway. We take her to the vet once a year. That usually costs around $100.

Compared to a Golden, cats are awfully inexpensive to own.


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Grasslands Liberty Belle "Bella" CGC (5-7-2012)