This is a 2-page infographic. At the base of the first one is a link to the second (costs). I am often reminded of the cost of looking after a domestic cat. And with inflationary pressures on all fronts including cat caregiving these costs can bite sometimes. Of course, it depends on disposable income but pre-adoption the cost of looking after a cat needs to be a major factor on whether to adopt or not. The most important part of cat ownership is the bit before cat ownership! 😎💕 Can I do it? Can I discharge those responsibilities?
Perhaps there is a sense that cats largely look after themselves which encourages some people to adopt when they are on a tight budget. In my view cats do not look after themselves. They are not independent (obvious).
They need their caregiver to be around and loving them. It depends on the standards one sets. I also believe the standards should be high as humans create the entire world of the domestic cat. In the words of that well-known song: “You are my everything” (says the cat to herself). That is the responsibility. It is ever-present.
It is actually – when one thinks about it – a very big responsibility.
More: cat caregiving
