This morning was a big day for the kittens that aren't so kitteny any more. Today they lose their testicles. Of course, by "lose," I don't mean like spare change in the couch cushions; I mean that a stranger with a scalpel will remove their fledgling male beads and more than likely toss them into a trash can.
And as an added insult to the kitties: I paid the stranger to do it.
I awoke extra early so I could drive them over 30 miles to a rural vet clinic that featured neutering rates far below what you can expect within Rochester. In Rochester, the going rate for one neutered cat usually exceeds $100. But, if you're willing to drive to Plainview, they'll do the deed for $30 a cat which, I'm quick to point out to anyone, comes out to about $15 a nut. SOLD!
People give me an admonishing look when I tell them about my bargain-shopping approach to neutering. And, truth be told, if it were me going under the knife to have my testes snipped, I'd spare no expense. Hell, I'd take out a loan, if need be.
But, cats are cats. If I had a little bit more expertise, I'd consider doing the procedure myself, over a protective matting of old newspapers, like carving a pumpkin, only more delicate.
For their part, the cats yowled and howled the entire way to the vet, which they tend to do any time they're forced to spend extended periods in a pet carrier.
For my part, I'm feeling pretty good, because, no matter how bad my work day may go, I can be fairly certain that the cats are probably enduring a far worse day.
This morning was a big day for the kittens that aren't so kitteny any more. Today they lose their testicles. Of course, by "lose," I don't mean like spare change in the couch cushions; I mean that a stranger with a scalpel will remove their fledgling male beads and more than likely toss them into a trash can.
And as an added insult to the kitties: I paid the stranger to do it.
I awoke extra early so I could drive them over 30 miles to a rural vet clinic that featured neutering rates far below what you can expect within Rochester. In Rochester, the going rate for one neutered cat usually exceeds $100. But, if you're willing to drive to Plainview, they'll do the deed for $30 a cat which, I'm quick to point out to anyone, comes out to about $15 a nut. SOLD!
People give me an admonishing look when I tell them about my bargain-shopping approach to neutering. And, truth be told, if it were me going under the knife to have my testes snipped, I'd spare no expense. Hell, I'd take out a loan, if need be.
But, cats are cats. If I had a little bit more expertise, I'd consider doing the procedure myself, over a protective matting of old newspapers, like carving a pumpkin, only more delicate.
For their part, the cats yowled and howled the entire way to the vet, which they tend to do any time they're forced to spend extended periods in a pet carrier.
For my part, I'm feeling pretty good, because, no matter how bad my work day may go, I can be fairly certain that the cats are probably enduring a far worse day.
Posted by Ryan at January 18, 2005 09:07 AMAre you just getting them neutered or are you having them declawed as well? I had to have my cat declawed when I had him fixed since he had a bad habit of clawing up the furniture and rugs. Let's hope yours don't like doing that. Declawing is pretty expensive. For one cat it cost me nearly $200 for declawing, shots, and neutering.
Posted by: Rick at January 18, 2005 09:43 AMSo far, Rick, the cats favor the crappy couch in the office for all their clawing activities, so I'm content to let them off the hook for now. But, that could change, of course.
Posted by: Ryan at January 18, 2005 09:46 AMJust be glad you got it done before they started "spraying" their territory. We had a cat enter into the spraying stage prematurely & my parents' new couch was victim to the spray. They ended up donating the couch to Goodwill.
Posted by: Mandy at January 18, 2005 03:11 PM
Stumble It!
