Imagine waking up to the sounds of your playful kitten. A kitty that calms your nerves. Imagine that this kitten will love you, stay with you, and provide entertainment for you. How much does it cost to adopt a cat? There are many animals in need of adoption. You can support a great cause and get a very adorable addition to your family in return. Supporting the adoption of animals is a great way to build your own collection while also giving cats that need a home the chance to have one. It’s a win-win situation if you ask me. I thought it would be better just to make my own list of how much does a cat cost to adopt. Maybe I’ll update it as more cats are adopted and sent off into new homes! In the future, I might even write an article on other animals that could use support during their adoption process.
How much does a cat cost to adopt
Adoption fee
The adoption fee is the first thing you’ll pay when adopting a cat. It’s a non-refundable payment that will vary between shelters and animal rescue organizations, but it’s usually somewhere between $25 and $200 per cat.
This fee may seem high—especially if you’re buying your cat from a breeder or pet store—but keep in mind that it covers all of the costs associated with caring for the animal during its stay at the shelter or rescue facility, including vaccinations, spaying/neutering, medical care, food and litter (if applicable), housing fees (such as electricity), etc.
Vet visits
One of the best ways to ensure your cat is happy and healthy is by taking them to the vet.
Adopting a kitten or adult cat is an exciting time, but you should always have a plan in place for veterinary care.
If you don’t already have a veterinarian, it’s important that you choose one who offers affordable services and accepts your insurance plan (or offers reasonable payment plans). Once you’ve found a vet, make sure he or she knows about any medical conditions your cat might have before treatment begins.
It’s also important to know how often your cat needs checkups so that he can stay healthy without breaking the bank on vet visits. For example, most cats need vaccines every year—but if yours has been vaccinated in previous years with an annual rabies shot at six months old then there won’t be much reason for him to go back into the vet until he turns three years old!
Microchipping
Microchipping is the most effective way to identify lost pets and reunite them with their owners. A microchip is a tiny electronic device that’s implanted under your cat’s skin and stores a unique number that can be read by a radio scanner. It’s an inexpensive way to give your cat some peace of mind, as well as increase its chance of being found if it gets lost. Most shelters use scanners that can read the chips in-house, so there’s no need for animal control officers or staff members to bring cats back home with them.
Microchips are relatively inexpensive (about $20), but they do have disadvantages: The information stored on them may not always be accurate; some vets don’t have access to scanners; you might forget when or where you had your pet implanted; or even how long ago it happened!
Litter box
A litter box is a must-have for any cat owner, and it’s one of the most important items you’ll purchase for your feline friend. The litter box should be placed in an area that’s quiet and away from any loud noises or children. Most cats tend to prefer privacy when using their toilet, so don’t feel bad about putting the litter box in another room or behind closed doors. It’s also not uncommon for owners to use furniture like cabinets, bookcases or closets as hiding places for their litter boxes.
The size of your cat doesn’t matter when picking out a new litter box—it can range anywhere from 4 inches by 6 inches up to 18 inches by 24 inches (or larger!). Cats have very small bladders compared with humans, so we recommend getting something on the smaller side if possible. You’ll want something large enough that your pet has plenty of space inside but compact enough that it won’t overwhelm any room you put it into!
Food and water bowls
Food and water bowls are inexpensive, ranging from $5 to $15 for a set of two (depending on the brand). This is one of the least expensive items to purchase.
Cat food
While cat food is less expensive than dog food, you’ll still want to spend a decent amount of money on it.
It’s worth paying more for high-quality cat food. Cheap brands tend to use lower quality ingredients and fewer nutritional benefits, which can lead to health problems down the line. If your budget is tight, try switching your cat’s diet gradually over time so they get used to the change. You should also buy smaller packages of food so that you don’t go through it too quickly—just make sure it doesn’t go bad before you finish using them up!
If making homemade meals isn’t for you, there are other ways of saving money on pet supplies, such as:
- Buying in bulk when possible (but remember: these things should be stored properly)
- Using coupons at grocery stores or wholesale clubs like Costco; these places often have some great deals on pet items!
Toys and scratching post
Some cats are more playful than others and need plenty of toys to keep them entertained. If your cat is a little on the quiet side, there’s no reason not to give him some fun things to play with. Toys also help your cat stay healthy by exercising his mind and body so he can run around, jump up on stuff and generally be in motion.
There are lots of different kinds of toys out there that can be both inexpensive and fun for your cat — but it’s important to consider safety too! If you get something that’s too small or flimsy or dangerous (like a string) then it could hurt your furry buddy if he gets tangled up in it or swallows part of the toy while playing with it.
If you’re looking for non-toxic but still interactive options then perhaps consider purchasing a laser pointer pen so they can chase after these red dots all day long! Or maybe even some cardboard boxes just waiting for some paw prints drawn onto them? And if all else fails: toilet paper rolls!
Cat carrier/travel crate
The first thing you should know is that there are many different kinds of cat carriers, and each has its own benefits. Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing one for your new pet:
- A soft-sided carrier can be used as a bed or playhouse in addition to transporting kitty from place to place.
- You’ll want a carrier with good ventilation so that your cat doesn’t get too warm while riding around town. If he seems uncomfortable, try placing a towel or other soft material on one side of the box and letting him lay down on it so that he can escape the sun’s rays (or at least not bake).
- Look for carriers with locking latches so that you don’t have any unwelcome visitors coming through the door unexpectedly when your cat is inside! Cats may be small but they’re also strong; if they really want out, no amount of human strength will stop them from clawing their way out of their cage!
You can adopt a cat for under $200 if you’re willing to make a few big purchases up front.
You can adopt a cat for under $200 if you’re willing to make a few big purchases up front. First, you’ll need to buy a kennel or carrier that’s big enough to transport your new cat home. If you want something fancy, expect to spend anywhere from $50-100 on this. Next, you’ll need some kind of litter box so the cat can use the bathroom while they get used to their new home. This could be as simple as an extra storage bin with some sand in it (or even nothing at all), or it could run into the hundreds depending on how fancy your particular needs are! Finally, depending on where you live and what time of year it is, there may be additional medical costs associated with getting your cat ready for adoption. Again––this can range from nothing at all (if there’s no specific medical condition) or thousands of dollars (if there are).
The last thing we’ve found people feel passionate about when adopting an animal is finding out whether or not they’re good with kids before bringing one into their home! The good news is that most cats will fit in well with other pets in general––but if yours seems aggressive towards other animals or children specifically then it might be wise not take them home just yet until things change around here…
Conclusion
Remember it costs money to adopt a cat. If you are looking for an older cat who has already been spayed or neutered, trained and is up to date on all of their shots, then you may have to pay more than if you were just looking for a kitten who does not have this done yet. The best thing to do is research all the local shelters in your area and see what they offer before making any decisions about adopting one yourself so that way you will know what kind of price range they will be in when trying out different places!