I am so sorry for your loss, @Rackonteur. It’s such a heartbreak to lose them, and it doesn’t matter how often you have to do it over the years, it hurts just as much.
Our kitty is 17, and I dread the times when she will start showing her age.
You are right, though. Better sooner than too late.
My thoughts are with you tonight and I hope another kitty will find his/her way to you if you so desire.
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Check to see if the rescue groups on your area do sponserships. This is when you keep the cat or dog, and they pay all expenses. Food, vet, meds, etc. Your job as a sponser is just to love the pet.
Now, sometimes the cat or dog may have a shorter life with you (older or a medical condition that makes them less likely to be properly adopted). But there is so much value in caring for an animal that gets looked over. AND no financial burden on you. Just love in return.
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My last 2 came from a County shelter with a Seniors for Seniors free adoption program (both cats & dogs).
All are tested - cats for FeLu & FIV - neutered & microchipped.
The “Senior” part of the restriction is a bit loose. Age 55 for adopters, my 1st cat from them was 11. Sadly succumbed to liver failure after a year. Second is 6 - so not a true senior to me.
I think the shelter was just glad to find him a home.
Maybe check shelters in your area fior a similar program?
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Thank you.
I can’t afford an adoption fee right now and I am hoping that having to wait will give me time to think clearly. Right now I keep feeling my cat in my lap and looking down expecting to see her.
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Thank you. That sounds like a really good idea. I don’t know if the rescues here have those programs but I can certainly ask them. It would be a good arrangement I think for some of the people in my building (senior apartments and houses) and for the shelter senior animals who had loving homes… until they were sent to shelters. I do know that one shelter here does not like having to take pets whose owners just don’t want them anymore: that shelter, at least, might be willing to look into sponsoring.
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Thank you, I will. What a good idea.
One shelter here posts its adoption fees: $150 for a kitten, $75 for a young adult cat, $50 for a senior cat. The other well-known one doesn’t post fees. I’ve just remembered that we have a third rescue. It’s not as well known or publicized but that may not mean it’s not as good, or even better.
I will check into all of them.
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Good luck, Rackonteur. I think at some point the right kitty will show up who needs you. 
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I am so sorry for your loss. They leave such big holes in our hearts.
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Hugs from Colorado. Hang in there.
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Thank you.
Thank you. I am trying. Sigh.
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An update: I contacted one of the rescues here and they do not have a Seniors for Seniors program but think it is a great idea. Both rescues have foster programs; one is just for temporary fostering of an adoptable cat; the other is foster-to-adopt. But their fees are higher.
The third rescue is affiliated with the USDA and requires an in-home inspection by the USDA. I don’t want to get involved with the USDA! I wonder how my HUD building would react to the idea of that!
I understand about high fees for an animal you know is healthy and vaccinated and spayed/neutered. I think it’s a good thing.
One reason I really liked the idea of the Seniors program is that I am more broke than usual at the moment from Velvet’s vet bills.
Sigh.
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I really love the idea of sponsorships. One of the rescues here doesn’t have that but I will try the other one tomorrow. The thought of being able to give a cat a happy home would be so wonderful if only I didn’t have the fear of high vet bills. But I realize that the rescues can barely stay in business as it is, let alone without adoption fees and I believe in supporting them.
But OTOH freeing up a cage by homing a cat is a good thing, and if s/he continued at the shelter there could still be vet bills. And I can afford to feed a cat.
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I’m sorry about your kitty. She told you she was ready for the next adventure. Bless you for listening.
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Thank you so much. I hope you are well. I have been thinking about you and Miggy and that wonderful COTH Summer of the Kittens.
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Sponsership is a win-win for everyone. Let me know if I can help with searching for a rescue in your area.
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Thank you.
