Conference misery::feline_v1

    Kristy,
    
    To save money, do the spaying and vaccinating separately.  Shop around
    for spaying costs, $60 sounds a bit high to me since my vet charges
    $32 (in California).  I think you could find a good vet that could do
    it for less money.  
    
    For the vaccinating, you can get that done at a vaccination clinic in
    your town.  They often advertize in the paper.  The vaccines are
    considerably cheaper than if you made a vet's appointment, and they are
    given by licensed veterinarian's.  Also, while you are shopping around
    for spaying costs, check the vaccine cost too, $24 a piece sounds high
    to me unless you are getting Felv shots too.
    
    I realize that time is of the essense here, so if you need help, maybe
    fellow Feliners in your area can help with some of the footwork.
    
    Also, check with the pet sitting services.  I think that you will find
    them less expensive than boarding your cats.  There is a topic in this
    file for pet sitting, check the keywords.
    
    Jo

    Also, someone in this file has the friends of animals certificates for
    spaying discounts.
    

    $60 from a private vet for a spay is a VERY good price.  We've had
    this discussion.  Where I live (Braintree/Boston/Waltham) prices for
    a spay range from around $65 to over $100.
    
    Friends of Animals charges $38 I believe.  Their number is 
    1-800-631-2212.   I do NOT see a participating vet listed in
    Nashua however.  
    
    I believe Pat Murphy (DEMON::MURPHY) knows of another group local
    to your area that sponsors low cost spays.  Perhaps she can help out.
      Nancy
    

    I'm not sure about shot prices--my boyfried and I have agreed that my
    veterinarian in Escondido, CA, was sort of a shyster (my cat has skin
    tumors which occasionally require surgery and I've spent up to $300 at
    a time for a surgery which cost about $100 in Gardner, MA.)
    
    How long ago were the most recent vaccinations?  Most kennels require
    proof of vaccinations or health certificates, etc. to board an animal.
    Unless you have a very accomodating vet (or the last shots are still
    good), you may have to find a babysitter.  Now, in San Diego, the phone
    book is full of yellow-page listings for pet-sitting services; I'm not
    sure where you live but it may be worth a try.  (By the way, from the
    looks of the ads I saw, CA offers or requires--I couldn't
    tell--pet-sitters to be *licensed*.  The one time I used one, the
    pet-sitter came to visit one night before she was really hired to meet
    the 'kids.'  Everyone got along well, and I felt comfortable leaving
    her my kids and my keys.)
    
    Lisa Dean

    Well, as my base note said, I live in Nashua, New Hampshire.  One of my
    cats was abandoned by someone who left the apartment complex just
    before I moved in so I took her in.  According to the office, the
    abandoning party was supposed to get the cat's papers to me, but I've
    been here almost a year and have received none.  The other cat was a
    stray and as far as I know has had no shots.  Both cats are indoor cats
    and have not gone outside at all.  I'm assuming that they'll both need
    all their shots when I take them in.  
    
    I've been trying to get info from various vets in the area and haven't
    run into much luck yet.
    
    Keep the ideas coming, please.
    
    -- Kristy

    Hi Kristy,
      Remember me?  From LTN, the First time around!  Anyway, when I need
    to, which isn't often anymore, I use Nottingham Kennels on Rte 122 in
    Amherst.  They are good with the animals and will board them together
    in one cage for less than it costs to board seperately.  Their number
    is 603-673-2771.  They do not have any runs for the animals, and the
    cages are not huge (get a double cage, they give a goodly amount of
    room), so you may want to go check it out first.  I've boarded my cats
    there in the past and had no problem - They will even feed your special
    food to them if you supply them with it (I have a FUS cat, it's
    important to me!).  They do request that shots be up to date, but I
    don't know if they request that the animals be spayed.  They also keep
    dogs in the bottom floor, so there is barking which isn't the greatest
    music to some cats ears.  Check them out and see what you think.  It
    can't hurt!
    
      My Vet is Dr. Gleason in Amherst at 603-889-5442, and his prices are
    fairly reasonable as well....I don't know if he would board, but you
    can give them a call and find out.  You might also want to ask them if
    they recommend any particular kennel over another.
    
      Hope this helps!
    
    Heather + Muffy,Oscar,Pandora + Cocoa

    
    	re: a few back
    
    	No vets in NH?  I thought for sure that the vet associated
    	with the Humane Society here in Nashua was part of the 
    	Friends of Animal's discount plan.  bummer.
    
    	Kristy,  if I were going to be around, I'd do it but as you
    	know I'm on vacation for two weeks starting Saturday!
    
    	JJ
    

    re .6 - I also use Amherst Animal Hospital.  They do not board but call
    them and ask them about sitters.  They recommended two to me, one which
    I used back in June when I went on vacation and she was excellent.  My
    cats didn't seem to notice I had been gone.  I also agree with .6 that
    their prices are reasonable.  Dr. Gleason is wonderful, as is Dr.
    Mitterling. Dr. Mitterling has taken care of all four of my cats since
    they were kittens.
    
    Enjoy your trip - be sure to visit Westminster Abbey.
    
    Terry + the mini-pride.