All of the cats that come to the sanctuary are rescued from the street, backyards, behind shopping centers, industrial office parks…, and sometimes, from dumpsters.
STANDARD INTAKE PROTOCOL:
Each cat needs to undergo a complete veterinary exam, FeLV/FIV/heartworm testing, receive FVRCP and rabies vaccinations, be dewormed, have a nail trim and their ears cleaned, receive flea medications, and be spayed/neutered when they are of age, and if not already altered, upon entering the sanctuary. Individual cats may also need antibiotics, to be groomed, undergo dental surgeries, extensive bloodwork, x-rays, or ultrasounds.
Even though we work with low-cost clinics, the medical costs can quickly add up:
$45-65 physical exams*
$12-15 1-year rabies vaccine*
$12-17 FVRCP vaccine*
$25-27 FeLV/FIV/HW snap test
$17-18 covers a single dose of topical dewormer
$5 covers a single dose of a 2-hour flea medication
$15-18 covers a single dose of topical flea medication**
$25-50 covers a male neuter
$42-60 covers a female spay
$25-75 covers an antibiotic injection
Typical initial veterinary cost for a female cat: $173-198.
Typical initial veterinary cost for a male cat: $156-188.
*Annual per cat
**Monthly per cat
These amounts do not cover medical costs as the need arises or the monthly ongoing costs of our special needs cats (SEE BELOW.)
SPECIAL NEEDS CATS
FIP/Feline Infectious Peritonitis: URGENT donations needed
Did you know that cats have their own version of a coronavirus [FCoV] that is not transmittable to humans? In most cats, the virus is relatively benign and generally causes an asymptomatic infection—and at most, diarrhea.
However, in SOME cats, the virus mutates. The mutation is called FIP or feline infectious peritonitis. Until 2018, FIP had almost always been fatal. An experimental drug, known as GS-441524, has been found to be highly effective against FIP.
Gotham City Kitties is currently treating three cats—Meow, Matilda, and Seven. We are desperate for funds to help cover the costs. If we do NOT treat the cats, they will die.
The cost to treat is based upon the weight of the individual cat; the dosage amount increases slightly as the kitty progresses with the treatment and gains weight. The treatment regimen is daily injections for 12 weeks, plus monthly blood tests and physical exams to monitor the effectiveness of the drug.
The brand that we are currently using is $90 a vial, and there is 6ml of the drug in each vial. For example, the cost for a 5-pound cat is around $1400 plus monthly bloodwork and physical exams—in total, approximately $2,000+ per cat.
We have successfully treated Sidney, Dakota, and Dex! Each of them has made it past the three-month observation period following the 12- week treatment.
STOMATITIS: Ongoing donations are needed for Cassiopeia and Persephone
Stomatitis is a painful, chronic condition that results from severe inflammation of the gums and tissues in a cat’s mouth. Causes for this debilitating disease may include bacteria, viruses, periodontal disease, and resorptive lesions. Both Cassiopeia and Persephone, from the Silos Colony, are currently being treated intermittently with steroids and month-long antibiotic treatments. When these protocols stop working, they will likely have most, if not all, of their teeth removed. Even surgery is not a 100% guarantee. The monthly cost for each cat is $150.
TO DONATE NOW toward our medical funds, click the button below. The cats in our care sincerely thank you for your ongoing support! =^..^=