Help with the FOUND CAT - He's getting NICE!!!!!!!!!!

I've now been on hold with Animal Control to report this guy lost for 15 minutes... really not making me feel good about talking with anyone there.

As for other options: I called Hope Vet and they don't have room for him with Infinite Hope, and they suggested I call several other places, none of which have been helpful. The worst was Save our Strays, where the rude woman yelled at me for losing my cat (I called because I *found* a cat), and then when I explained the situation to her she simply said, "we don't help lost cats" and suggested I call Animal Control and take him to a shelter. Bide-a-Wee which was also suggested will only take animals that owners are giving up - i.e., you have to have proof of ownership. That doesn't make sense to me.

I will be keeping this kitty until I can find him a good forever home... hopefully with a friend or neighbor...

An update:

Cat is still doing well, though seems pretty scared - he goes from rubbing against me and purring like a machine to hissing and then back to purring. He has not tried to scratch me at all though which makes me think he's scared and really not aggressive.

I've been calling everywhere to try and find a way to get him a good home, but all the cat no-kill shelters are full. I have registered him as a Found Cat with AC&C and once I got through they were very nice.

Now the issue is, i need to get him checked out at the vet and neutered ideally in the near future. I called Kensington Kitties and they suggested I look into Muffin Certificates, which are neuter certificates for @ $40. However, that only covers the neuter itself, not blood tests, anesthesia or anything else, which, depending on the vet, adds up to at least a few hundred dollars.

I have an appointment at the vet I take my dog to - Hope - for him tomorrow for a checkup and to get tested for leukemia and aids. However, that visit alone (without vaccines) will cost me over $110. Plus vaccines I'm sure he needs, this is getting to be an expensive charity case, and I want the best care for this little guy but I'm not rich.

I called a number of vets who use the Muffin Certs for neutering and got expensive quotes from all, until I spoke with Dr. Diaz at Williamsburg Animal Center. He was very nice and told me he'd do the neuter, tests and shots all for $200, and I could take the cat in as soon as today (can't unfortunately, I'm at work...). Or he'd do the neuter alone for $75 without the certificate, but in total.

My question is, should I take him to Hope for a checkup, or should I just take him to Williamsburg (I have read good reviews online, but don't know it at all, plus it isn't exactly close to where I live...)

Any advice would be great! I have called the ASPCA and their mobile neuter is not a good option because 1) I am not on public assistance and 2) I do not have the time to stand on line at 6am with a cat in the heat in an unknown part of the city to get him neutered.

Thank you all!

I can tell he is not neutered (the same way I can tell he's a boy) - he still has his balls. If I do find someone to adopt him I will charge an adoption fee, but even so I think I'll end up spending a good deal more than that.

Interesting... I called Animal Kind and they told me it would cost at least an additional $200 just for the anesthesia and meds in addition to the certificate, not including a FIV/FeLV test or any vaccines.

And Prospect Park Animal Clinic (the one of PPW?) said there would only be a $25 fee for pain management (which is not bad at all), but they can't do it until the end of the month or early next, and i'm not sure waiting is a good idea... did you have a good experience there, though? I might wait if it is worth it.

I may call Animal Kind back and quote them your post...