So I took my two 3 month old kittens into the vet today to get them started on their vaccinations.
Mind you, I got these kittens for free from 2 different friends of ours. The previous owners did *not* take the responsibility of worming, vaccinating or even looking into the general health of any of the animals they chose (and/or allowed) to breed.

They have received the first of a series of three sets of vaccinations that will be administered over the next 6 weeks. After they are up to date on their vacs, both will be neutered when they are 5 months old.

I thought I'd just throw out my receipt from the vet's office of how much I just spent on two seemingly healthy kittens.

Just spent $200.87 at the vet's office.
Two kittens=
Physical exam $18x2
Feline Leukemia test $24x2
Tresaderm (for ear mites) $11
FVRCP#1 (feline distemper, etc) $12x2
Leukemia #1 (vac) $12x2
Deworm $3x2
Frontline Plus (cats) $47x2
Tax $4.87
This is *just* the first of three sets of shots. Now granted, the next set will not be that much because the flea treatment and meds will not be needed, nor will any tests, however, next time (in 3 weeks) I will be looking at:
FVRCP, Leukemia, worming $45.00 for each cat. 3 Weeks after that it will be:
FVRCP, Rabies $42.00 for each cat.

So, by the time it's all said and done, that's roughly $375 for two kittens... all shelled out within a 9 week time frame. However, for me, it will be in 5 weeks because they didn't start their vacs at 6 to 8 weeks of age. That's pretty darn good I think. Only one kitten had any kind of health issues that needed meds... I and my kitties got lucky (as did my bank account).
Now ok, this is a "package deal" and once all vacs are given, as long as they are given in the time frame required then the spay/neuter are free.
On "average" it costs about $132+ for *one* kitten to get UTD on their vacs just so they are healthy enough to be altered and that is assuming there are no health issues that need to be addressed, such as Rattles and his ear mites. The average price (around here anyway) for a neuter is $80 and a spay is $120.

Bear in mind, these are the *kitten* prices in a "package" deal.... puppy vacs cost even more as do their spay and neuter.

The reason I am posting this is to just give people an idea of what they can (and should) expect if they are considering getting (or giving) a "free" pet.

If you have puppies or kittens PLEASE be responsible and start their vacs once they are 6 weeks old. Not only are you doing others a favor when they go to a new home, you're also doing that animal a favor by giving it a head start to a healthy life. You don't have to go thorugh the whole series, just the first set before they head off to their forever homes.
And PLEASE, if you are *not* a professional, reputable breeder who breeds *only* to further the quality of the breed, spay and neuter your pets and DON'T BREED. Even "just one litter" is one litter too many.
These costs would not be so expensive if "back yard breeders" were not so common and if more people took the time to be responsible for their pets.