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advise me, internet people!
So, I'm thinking seriously about getting a cat. I love cats and I've wanted one for ages and ages, but my life and especially my finances never seemed stable enough. They still don't, but I will have some money coming in because of stuff to do with my old job, and I would be able to afford the adoption fees, the nonrefundable pet "deposit" my apartment complex demands, and all the equipment I'd need.
But I have doubts. Or at least I have a great ability to worry and consequently, a lousy ability to make decisions. What if I get the cat home and then I don't like it? What if it does something horrible like pee everywhere? What if it climbs up on everything and breaks all my stuff? What if it gets sick and I'm stuck with enormous vet bills I can't afford? What if my apartment (an efficiency) is too small and the cat feels caged up and bored? (It's not too small for me, but then, I get to leave.)
What should I doooooooooooo?
I should note that I specifically want to get an adult cat, not a kitten, and that I'll be looking for one with a fairly mellow personality who's used to being an indoor cat. I'm hoping that will help with the getting restless and climbing and breaking everything issues.
All advice welcome. I'm particularly worried about peeing/spraying. How common are these problems? Do neutered male cats mostly not spray, or should I only consider female cats?
And the real deepest worry: is it ethical to get an animal even though, if it gets, say, cancer, I wouldn't be able to afford kitty chemo and I'd have to have it put to sleep?
Damn it, I've made myself cry. This is why I need advice from people who are not as anxiety-ridden and prone to think of worst case scenarios as I am.
But I have doubts. Or at least I have a great ability to worry and consequently, a lousy ability to make decisions. What if I get the cat home and then I don't like it? What if it does something horrible like pee everywhere? What if it climbs up on everything and breaks all my stuff? What if it gets sick and I'm stuck with enormous vet bills I can't afford? What if my apartment (an efficiency) is too small and the cat feels caged up and bored? (It's not too small for me, but then, I get to leave.)
What should I doooooooooooo?
I should note that I specifically want to get an adult cat, not a kitten, and that I'll be looking for one with a fairly mellow personality who's used to being an indoor cat. I'm hoping that will help with the getting restless and climbing and breaking everything issues.
All advice welcome. I'm particularly worried about peeing/spraying. How common are these problems? Do neutered male cats mostly not spray, or should I only consider female cats?
And the real deepest worry: is it ethical to get an animal even though, if it gets, say, cancer, I wouldn't be able to afford kitty chemo and I'd have to have it put to sleep?
Damn it, I've made myself cry. This is why I need advice from people who are not as anxiety-ridden and prone to think of worst case scenarios as I am.
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