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This spring, the NYCFCI distributed 8,000 pounds of Iams cat food to 80 feral cat caretakers who use the NYC Feral Cat Database. Photo by Meredith Weiss Tips for Stretching Your Cat Care Dollars by Valerie Sicignano, NYC Feral Cat Initiative The recession has hit New York City pet parents and feral cat caretakers particularly hard, with unemployment in the state at record levels and prices for goods and services at national highs. Following are some tips and resources to help you weather these difficult times and locate free and low-cost goods and services for cats in New York City and the surrounding areas. Throw a "Baby Shower" for Your New Cat or Kitten Adopting a cat or kitten is reason for celebration! Plan a "baby shower" for your new addition to the family or host one for a friend. You can design and send free e-mail invitations on Evite and, if funds are tight, make it a potluck and ask each guest to bring a dish. Most likely, you will be "showered" with presents, such as catnip mice and string toys for your new bundle of joy. Savings on Cat Food & Supplies Shop the Catalogs Pet supplies, including basics like cat litter and toys, can be purchased at a discount and in bulk from such catalogs as PetEdge and Doctors Foster and Smith. Join a Price Club You can purchase bulk-size cat food and litter for substantial savings at price club stores, such as BJ's Wholesale Club, Costco, and Sam' Club. The large sizes are particularly handy for anyone who feeds a feral cat colony or has multiple pet cats. Clip Coupons In addition to the coupon inserts of the Sunday editions of NYC's daily newspapers, (New York Post, New York Daily News, and Newsday), most pet food manufacturers offer coupons on their websites. Type in the name of your pet food manufacturer at www.google.com to locate its website, where you can learn about their latest offers for customers. Whiskers Holistic Petcare has opened a branch in Astoria, Queens, and a 10%-off coupon for new customers is featured in the Queens Chronicle, a free weekly newspaper available on street corners in the borough. Whiskers specializes in natural pet care and supplements and has free delivery if you meet a minimum order price. Free Cat Food NYC Feral Cat Database Cat Food Give-aways Feral Cat Caretakers who register their New York City colonies in the NYC Feral Cat Database are eligible for cat food give-aways that usually take place twice a year. Little Shelter Pet Food Pantry Little Shelter Animal Rescue & Adoption Center in Huntington, NY, runs a pet food pantry for local pet parents who need help feeding their pets. Financial Help for Veterinary Services Coupons & Discounts Multiple Pet Discount Most veterinarians will give you a substantial discount if you bring in more than one pet on the same day. Ask your veterinarian if he or she offers this discount, or would consider doing so. Bideawee offers a 10%-off coupon for veterinary services in the The Village Voice, a free weekly newspaper available on street corners throughout the city. 410 East 38th Street, Manhattan, 10016 Web: www.bideawee.org Phone: (212) 532-5884 E-mail: ManhattanVet@bideawee.org Payment Plans & Credit Payment Plan Ask your veterinarian if he/she can offer you a payment plan that would allow you to pay the bill over time. Care Credit is a line of credit that can be used for veterinary bills (and human medical and dental bills). It offers a no-interest loan if paid off within two years. Ask your veterinarian if they accept Care Credit or if they would like to. (Some veterinary offices provide literature and an application for Care Credit.) They take instant applications over the phone, so if your veterinarian already accepts it, you can apply on the spot. Free & Low-Cost Veterinary Services St. Clement's Episcopal Church St. Clement's Episcopal Church periodically offers free vet care clinics for those in need. Appointments are on a first come, first served basis and there is a limit of two pets per household. 422 West 46th Street, Manhattan, 10036 Phone: (212) 246-7277 x35 ASPCA – Henry Bergh Memorial Hospital The ASPCA's Henry Bergh Memorial Hospital may offer more affordable veterinary services than your regular veterinarian. 424 East 92nd Street, Manhattan, 10128 Web: www.aspca.org Phone: (212) 876-7700 x4200 The Humane Society of New York – Animal Clinic The Humane Society of New York's Animal Clinic may offer more affordable veterinary services than your regular veterinarian. 306 East 59th Street, Manhattan, 10022 Phone: (212) 752-4840 Financial Assistance Programs for Veterinary Care NY SAVE (Save Animals in Veterinary Emergency) 331 West 57th Street, Suite 293, New York, NY 10019 Web: www.nysave.org Phone: (212) 246-0057 E-mail at nycsave@aol.com American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA): Helping Pets Fund P.O. Box 150899, Denver, CO 80215-0899 Phone: (866) 443-5738 Fax: (720) 963-4404 E-mail at info@aahahelpingpets.org P.O. Box 41, Clarksburg, NJ 08510 Web: www.vet-i-care.org Phone: (609) 259-8300 x126 E-mail: mdurnien@vet-i-care.org Limitations: Assistance focused on physically and mentally challenged individuals, senior citizens, and children of the working poor. P.O. Box 244, Hinsdale, IL 60522 Web: www.help-a-pet.org Phone: (630) 986-9504 Limitations: No assistance with routine care or vet care already received; see full list of qualifications online. (Note: Once approved, can raise money from online community of supporters; must communicate online and respond to e-mails within 24 hours.) Web: www.imom.org Limitations: No routine or preventative care and no treatment where the prognosis for survival beyond six months is 50% or less. 1510 19th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 Web: www.thepetfund.com Phone: (916) 443-6007 E-mail: info@thepetfund.com United Animal Nations LifeLine Limitations: No assistance with routine care, ongoing illness, testing/diagnosis, or if vet care already received and pet released from care; see full list of qualifications online. P.O. Box 188890, Sacramento, CA 95818 Phone: (916) 429-2457 E-mail: info@uan.org Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Program Limitations: Cats/kittens only; life-threatening illnesses, injuries, or conditions or one that seriously compromises the quality of life. (Note: Contact them to see if they currently are accepting applications.) 1641 Elizabeth Lane Yuba City, CA 95993 Web: www.fveap.org E-mail: fveap@earthlink.net
Veterinary staff prepare a cat for surgery at the ASPCA Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic. Photo by Meredith Weiss Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Free Spay/Neuter for Feral Cats For TNR-certified feral cat caretakers who would like to spay/neuter 15 or more healthy feral cats at one time. By appointment only. ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital, 424 East 92nd Street, Manhattan, 10022 Phone: (877) SPAY-NYC (877-772-9692) The Humane Society of New York Animal Mukti Free Spay/Neuter Program Free spay/neuter, rabies vaccination, left eartip, ear mite medication, and exam for feral cats in traps. By appointment only. 306 East 59th Street, Manhattan, 10022 Phone: (212) 752-4840 Free spay/neuter at a mobile clinic in all five boroughs. Phone: (212) 799-1120 E-mail: info@tobyproject.org Low-Cost Spay/Neuter for Feral Cats MAMA Coupon for Low-Cost Feral Cat Spay/Neuter The Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals and Muffin's Pet Connection offer the MAMA Coupon, a low-cost feral cat spay/neuter coupon that includes rabies vaccination and left eartip. MAMA Coupons may be purchased by anyone who is seeking to spay or neuter a feral cat in New York City. Pet Cat Spay/Neuter Free Spay/Neuter for Pet Cats The Humane Society of New York Animal Mukti Free Spay/Neuter Program By appointment only. 306 East 59th Street, Manhattan, 10022 Phone: (212) 752-4840 Free spay/neuter at a mobile clinic in all five boroughs. Phone: (212) 799-1120 E-mail: info@tobyproject.org Low-Cost Spay/Neuter for Pet Cats Maddie's Spay/Neuter Project in NYC If you reside within the five boroughs of New York City and are on public assistance, you can have up to a total of 6 cats or dogs (or a combination of cats/dogs totaling no more than 6) spayed or neutered each year for a special low price ($10 each cat, $20 each dog) at participating clinics. ASPCA Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinics Low-cost spay/neuter and other vet services at a mobile clinic in all five boroughs with proof of public assistance. $75 per animal if you are not on public assistance. Phone: (877) SPAY-NYC (877-772-9692) Association for the Rescue & Adoption of Stray Animals (ARASA) P.O. Box 120-264, Staten Island, NY 10312 E-mail: arasanyc@aol.com 410 East 38th Street, Manhattan, 10016 Phone: (212) 532-5884 E-mail: info@bideawee.org Friends of Animals – Spay and Neuter Certificate Program Phone: 1-800-321-7387 E-mail: info@friendsofanimals.org The Humane Society of New York – Animal Clinic 306 East 59th Street, Manhattan, 10022 Phone: (212) 752-4840 Each year on the last Tuesday of February, many veterinarians and their staff, animal welfare professionals, business owners, and concerned citizens join forces nationwide to spay or neuter as many animals as possible. Muffin's Pet Connection – Spay/Neuter Certificate Program Phone: (718) 833-7988 Fax: (718) 921-6327 E-mail: pets@muffins.org New Rochelle Humane Society Low Cost Spay/Neuter Certificates Phone: (914) 632-2925 E-mail: PetAdopt@verizon.net P.L.U.T.O. Rescue of Richmond County Phone: (718) 227-0553 E-mail: plutorescue@aol.com Spay Neuter Intervention Project (SNIP) Phone: (917) 658-4524 About the Author Valerie Sicignano is Director of Special Events & Training for the New York City Feral Cat Initiative and has been working with feral cats in New York City since 1990. She holds a Certificate in Humane Education from the ASPCA, and her work with animals has been recognized by the Manhattan Pet Gazette's "Animal Guardian Award" and In Defense of Animals' "Companion Animal Guardian Award." |
