'I was scammed by a rescue': Young mom rescues two stray kittens, receives "free" help from a local rescue to get them fixed, only for them to send her a bill she can’t afford

Author image for Blake Seidel
Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Mar 31, 2025 12:00 PM EDT

It's Meownday, feline fam, and we're already confused. Our questionable query is this: why does helping someone cost so much money? Shouldn't there be some sort of charity discount? We think that should be a thing. Anyway, we digress. It's just a shame that so many people go out of their way, spend thousands of their own dollars on saving animals in need, and get nothing back except for the good, fuzzy feelings in their hearts. Don't get us wrong, that's great, but maybe it should cost less to save a life in need.

When the young mom in this post rescued two stray kittens, she posted about needing help to get them fixed. She specifically stated that she couldn't afford it, so when a local rescue came forward and offered to help, she assumed it would be for free. Well, fast forward a bit, and she gets a bill for her "free" help. Hence, why we think the charity discount should be a thing. Anyway, scroll down to read the full story below!

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  • 01
    I refused to pay a cat rescue for fixing my foster cats
    via pixelshot

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    Personally, I felt I was scammed by a rescue. Which is a statement I never thought I'd make, because usually I regard a rescue as a very honorable and respectable organization that only intends on helping.
    via u/Distinct-Stage-3828
  • 03
    However, I ran into a particularly unfriendly rescue helper who responded to a post I had made requesting help with two kittens I had rescued from outside. (In AZ, where temps get up to about 120 degrees).
    via u/Distinct-Stage-3828
  • 04
    I had mentioned in the posts that I am a young mom who just bought my house and cannot afford to spay/neuter them and if there's anybody out there who could help me help them, to please reach out.
    via u/Distinct-Stage-3828
  • 05
    She contacted me, asked me to explain why I felt that I needed the help, and then proceeded to ask me to bring the kittens for the procedure. I thanked her profusely, and she never mentioned once requiring that I pay her back.
    via u/Distinct-Stage-3828

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  • 06
    She also blew up my phone the day of the procedure telling me I must call her back NOW or else she will not see the kittens, even though I had sent her a text message the night before letting her know that I would be there.
    via u/Distinct-Stage-3828
  • 07
    Anyways, now that the kittens have found a new home she sent me an invoice saying that I owe her $120 for the spay/neuter. She charged me more for the male kitten than the quote I got at a local clinic, and I would have definitely declined her offer for "help" had I known she would charge me and at this price.
    via u/Distinct-Stage-3828
  • 08
    So, IBTA for ignoring her texts or reaching out to tell her I didn't agree to pay her back at this price?
    via u/Distinct-Stage-3828
  • 09
    hpfan1516 I had mentioned in the posts that I am a young mom who just bought my house and cannot afford to spay/neuter them if there's anybody out there who could help me help them, to please reach out.
    via u/hpfan1516

  • If she has written proof that they never confirmed a price, then we think she's in the clear. However, we're not a lawyer, so don't take any legal advice from us. But it sounds like we're not really getting the full story here. Just our feline intuition.

  • 10
    She... responded to your posts, right? To the posts where you explicitly said you couldn't afford to spay/neuter them?
    via u/hpfan1516
  • 11
    Cheezburger Image 10487761408
    via Michal Collection

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 12
    I feel like there is a string of logic here. "OP cannot afford this. Please reach out if you can help with costs. Person reaches out and has OP bring kitties in for procedure." If someone reached out, and then did not explicitly state that they expect cost BEFORE the irreversible procedure (i.e., it's not something you can just give back somehow), it just makes them seem at best slimy and at worst just unethical.
    via u/hpfan1516
  • 13
    Should you have clarified? Well, maybe, but now you know. Maybe you can keep the posts up and make a go-fund-me if you don't want to fight with the people? But seriously, logic is not on the other party's side here.
    via u/hpfan1516
  • 14
    NTA. But I just don't know the best way out of the situation. I'm so sorry. My family was scammed by a vet recently so this made me mad to read on your behalf
    via u/hpfan1516
  • 15
    IcePrincess_Not_Sk8r Info: Did the rescue spay the kitties and return them to you, and YOU rehomed them, or did you sign them over to the rescue, and they fixed them, and they were rehomed through the rescue?
    via u/IcePrincess_Not_Sk8r
  • 16
    kris3343 NTA You would not be the ah le. What most people are missing is you didn't go out & get these cats on purpose. You took in 2 strays, to help them & not to get yourself some pets. You were clear that you couldn't afford to fix them and needed help. At no
    via u/kris3343
  • 17
    point did she tell you there would be a cost to you. Then, instead of burdening the rescue with their further care, you were proactive about finding them homes. You were an unofficial foster home.
    via u/kris3343
  • 18
    You did exactly what rescues say they want, stepping up to the plate to help animals in need. I would absolutely say you aren't responsible for the costs. It would be nice if you could donate whatever you received from the new owners but that's it.
    via u/kris3343
  • 19
    Cheezburger Image 10487761664
    via Odua Images

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • On the other hand, we've never heard of anyone doing anything for free. Everything has a price, even if it's not physical money. In this case, though, the price apparently is money. Money that was never spoken about. Or requested…until after the fact.

  • 20
    gingrbreadandrevenge This is all very unusual, and Idk that we have the full story.
    via u/gingrbreadandrevenge
  • 21
    I'm a veterinarian, and I've donated a lot of spays/neuters in my area. The one thing I don't understand is why there was no paperwork. I've always had the owner, rescue, or foster sign a standard anesthesia release form and a
    via u/gingrbreadandrevenge
  • 22
    form that shows the fees if there are any add-ons like vaccines. Even though they are also done at a low cost, it still should be documented and agreed upon before the service is performed.
    via u/gingrbreadandrevenge
  • 23
    The whole thing is just odd. I'm not sure why the rescue didn't discuss this with you beforehand, but it is also a little weird that you handed these kittens over to a random rescue person without getting more
    via u/gingrbreadandrevenge
  • 24
    details. Was she with a legitimate rescue? If so, can you not contact that rescue's board members to find out what their policies are on this type of thing.? If this was a local shelter or veterinarian, they definitely should have had you sign some sort of paperwork.
    via u/gingrbreadandrevenge
  • 25
    I-hear-the-coast NTA. You asked in the post for a rescue to do it for free. Her agreeing to get it done and not mentioning payment means she was agreeing to your request. You stated your terms, she agreed, and now she is claiming new terms. By not stating new terms originally, the obvious. conclusion would be that she agreed to yours.
    via u/I-hear-the-coast
  • 26
    Also, I will say that the people arguing nothing is free and of course you have to pay deal with other rescues than the ones with which I am familiar. My friend rescues and fosters cats and even once fostered a cat because the owner could not
    via u/I-hear-the-coast
  • 27
    afford its medical care. The owner was not told "you can only surrender if you also pay for the medical care". Some rescues do do things for "free" (aka through donations).
    via u/I-hear-the-coast

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stray cats animal rescue cute help bills cat rescue scam young mom Cats cute kittens animals free rescue
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