11/02/2026
It's hard to miss the "free kittens" ads that run rampant this time of year across social media groups, classifieds, and amongst friends and family. Is taking a free kitten the best decision and is it REALLY free? Research says no. The idea of getting a free kitten may be appealing but before you hop on the bandwagon of welcoming a “free floof” into your home, here’s some things to consider.
Accepting a "free" kitten :
💸 can cost more than ~$300 for all of the recommended veterinary care
🦠 is more likely to have a serious unknown health problem
🐈 continues to feed the spay/neuter problem
🐾 leaves shelters and rescues overflowing with ready-to-go cats and kittens, and no space to accept new intakes
🤷♀️ What can you do?!
Encourage people to adopt!
Spay and neuter your pets!
Some people may be turned off proceeding with vet visits and surgeries due to the high cost, especially in more rural areas. The average cost of a spay/neuter in Canada is typically between $200 and $800, and varies between provinces. It may not sound like a lot at first, but after the vet exam, bloodwork, vaccinations, deworming pills, and a microchip those numbers add up quickly. If you have more than one animal, be prepared to see those numbers multiply quickly! Before you know it, your jaw drops at the sight of a four digit figure glaring at you on the invoice.
One of the biggest benefits of adopting through a reputable organization is that cats come vetted, including vaccinations, deworming, and spay/neuter surgeries prior to adoption. Overpopulation of pets in Alberta is a vast problem, which is why we encourage everyone to become part of the solution by ensuring your pets are spayed/neutered!
