Looking for help in putting my baby down.
I am a low-income senior, existing on social security.
After a long struggle I have decided to have my cat put down bec. I cannot afford the thousands it would cost to find out what's wrong and there are so many things wrong, that I don't think she can recover.
So last week I spent $100 at the vet, which for me is a lot of money.
Now - in order to have her put to death - they want $178.00!
I realize that depending on your financials that probably doesn't seem as much as it does to me. I was thinking, it would not be much over the cost of an office visit. ($60.)
but to me it is a huge amount. and for what? to kill my cat. And what choice do I have? Kill my cat myself? Let her die by inches?
If I can, I'll have them bill me, and pay it out. But I have a feeling, that for this kind of procedure, they may want it all up front.
Someone suggested I post here, in case anyone knows of any org. that helps people out with this.
Probably not - but it doesn't hurt to ask.
I am in New Jersey.
thanks.
= new reply since forum marked as read
doing her a favor when I stocked up on the one brand that she ate.
So today am out to the store to buy a variety of choices.
Also someone told me that her vet told her, that her cat sometimes throws up bec. she ate too fast. I think that was the problem with my cat.
Now I give her a little at a time, so she doesn't scarf down too much at once. And she hasn't thrown up. 
Her vet told her it was perfectly normal for a cat to throw up occasionally.
I feel my vet always takes the most serious view, and also is always pushing for expensive tests. I do understand that vets need tests to diagnose, and if I could afford it, I certainly would.
But my vet gave me the idea that my cat was about to 'kick the bucket' and now she is back to normal - she is eating, sleeping and doing her regular cat thing.
You make a very good point.
I wish I could be more help than to just send you my empathy. I have eight critters right now, and one is a 19 year old cat. She's still feisty though. I would suggest looking on Yelp for other vets offices. You should also check Facebook and look at the cat rescue pages. You could also try gofundme.com or something like that to raise the money. I'm from South Florida, but I just moved back after living in Boston for two years. Up there they had a very old vet clinic that took care of everyone's pets based on donations alone. Their philosophy was that no animal should suffer just because the owner happened to be poor. My vet down here has never charged me for euthanasia. He told me that he took an oath to end suffering when he couldn't treat or save the animal. Do you want to adopt another cat? Maybe a local rescue will help you if really want to adopt another one. You could offer to foster. This way they pay the vet bills, and all you have to do is feed and house the new cat. The downside is that if they find a forever home, you have to give the new kitty up. I'm suggesting this because the rescues know where all the good vets are, and might be able to offer you assistance with your ailing kitty. Good luck to you, and my condolences on your kitty.
I am pretty sure it was less than $100 when I had to put our lab down. The cremation was another story but that's to be expected.
I am so sorry for all you are going through. You have good advice here so I hope that helps. 
