Im not even sure what I'm thinking...kind of just thinking out loud

Is there any type of organization, anything out there that will help someone to pay a pet deposit who can't afford it but wants a kitten/cat?

There is a 20 year old boy on my UC forum who came desperately seeking help from anyone...not for a kitten. Just for someone to talk to. He was considering suicide. His family lives in the same town but doesn't help him. His mother I think is just scared because he has a chronic illness (he was diagnosed with UC at age 10 and before that had back surgeries and issues and almost ended up with a wheelchair). His father was/is abusive and probably doesn't let his mother help him out and calls him stupid and ugly and whatever else.

This kid is actually really good looking but painfully shy and can't get a gf because he is afraid to go out in public and have accidents and things (when UC/Crohns is uncontrolled it can lead to very embarrassing public accidents as you have no control and cant tell you have to go until it's too late. I had many accidents in my car and toward the end, even had to run out of stores to make it into my car when I couldn't find a bathroom. It's very socially isolating). I talked to him on AIM because he wasn't really getting any responses. I ended up letting him call me because I was so worried about him. I don't think he will kill himself. I don't think he was just seeking attention. He has not told really anyone about his disease and wanted to find someone to talk to who would understand what is going on. He just really wants someone to talk to and wasn't finding anyone, and it doesn't help that he lives in a small town in Oregon with no support groups for this disease or anything.

He is on anti-depressants but not currently seeing his counselor because when his disease was in remission he felt ok. He goes back to his GI next week, and I think once he gets the UC under control, he can work on his social shyness more and meet some people. He rents the attic in a house and knows the girls downstairs but is too embarrassed to tell them his medical history (though they know he was just hospitalized and did visit him there, they don't know the real reason or extent or that he will always be sick). He is allowed a pet in his place. The girls have a dog. He said how much he would love to have a kitten to sleep with him at night and be there to talk to. He misses his kitties that live with his mom. He would be able to take care of a kitten's basics but can't afford to pay the pet deposit.

I don't know. I was just wondering if anyone can think of I way this kid could be helped to raise a little money for something like this. I know it's not always best to get an animal when you're going through such tough times yourself, but it seems like it would help him with the loneliness a lot and even help him open up socially a bit more with something else to talk about.

He's getting some money for disability right now and can't work (he was hauling lumber before or something) but that's enough for his food and rent. He is a student but out for the summer and barely made it through last semester before getting really sick again.

I don't know of any such program, but perhaps he can pay the pet deposit over a few months instead of needing to pay it all in one lump sum?

I realized I wasn't clear in what type of pet deposit I was talking about, but I think you understood.

It's for the landlord to allow the pet on the rental property. That's a good idea--maybe he can pay it in installments

He might be able to get the kitten in for free as an emotional support animal. He'd need a doctor's note and the kitten would need to actually be an ESA, but worth looking into by the sounds of it.

But is he going to be able to pay for food and vet care? Will he be able to afford it if there's an illness or injury?

Yea this How will he pay for everything else?

He can afford the basic day to day litter/food/etc. and will have student loan money when school starts again and would be willing to put emergencies on a card if needed. I know not everyone has ideal financial situations to have pets, but plenty on this board and elsewhere somehow make it work if there's an emergency.

How does a cat get certified for something like that, CP?

I'm not entirely sure.

Emotional Support Animals | Service Dog Central
http://www.bazelon.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=mHq8GV0FI4c=&tabid=245

Yes, I understood. Best of luck to him, I hope he can figure something out.

I don't think there is a certification process for ESAs. There is no certification process for Assistance Dogs, so I would imagine the same is true here.

I have a friend who owned an apartment complex, and many of her tenants had ESAs. One had two guinea pigs. One had an iguana. So I highly doubt the animal has to go through a certification process.

Thanks for that information! I will definitely pass it on to him

Well, this is what is happening. He has been so upbeat since thinking about having a cat around, so he talked to his landlord and his landlord will let him take the family cat there for a week or two on a trial basis to see how he does with a cat. His dad will not let him keep this cat, but he can "borrow" her. If he does ok with it, we will work on getting him his own permanent cat. He is just so excited to have a cat right away to play with and stuff. It sounds like his landlord is nice and will be willing to work out a deposit arrangement. She just needs to go over that part with her husband.

that sounds great--animals can help us in so many ways.

^^This. And it goes both ways. Especially when you see how absolutely disposable people see cats as, I think even more so than dogs.

Pam, he's not in Monmouth is he? :lol-sign:

I don't know the joke there, but he's in Klamath Falls, OR

He has the cat over there with him now and he's so happy and went right to sleep with her.
His mom wasn't allowed to bring the cat earlier in the day until she had permission from the father, and it sounds like the mom would let him keep her but his dad says he wants the cat himself (or just doesn't want his son to have her). But at least he is getting some immediate affection. If he does ok, I will pay the 65 to the shelter directly for him to adopt a kitten he chooses. It will cover vacs, neuter, deworming. I'll help him figure out a pet deposit, and it sounds like his landlord will work with him on it. I'll help him find a good food at a reasonable price where he can get it.

Last night he called me just to talk about this cat. His mood was just a complete 180--his tone of voice, everything. He was happy that the kitty remembers him and was enjoying just having him there. He also invited one of the girls downstairs to come up to see the cat, so it's already helping there, too .

That's really, really awesome, Pam

All you need for an ESA is a letter from a mental health professional stating that your are disabled and that you need the pet. The landlord can place limits on what that pet is if the pet isn't already with you, but I would think most landlords would consider a cat to be reasonable...especially if they allow them anyway. Also, you need to make a written request for a reasonable accommodation (I know there's an example of that at Service Dog Central). A pet resume helps, but since he doesn't yet have a cat it it's not necessary...but if he ever moves it's a good idea.

The sample letters on Bazelon and Service Dog Central (posted above) are GREAT examples.

Gavroche is/was an ESA, and I had a letter to allow him into my apartment before I moved. There was never an issue with it, and the complex was completely pet free (not even fish).

If he can get an ESA letter, then there will be no pet deposit.

Thanks! I will let him know that

You can tell him to reassure the landlord that he is still responsible for damage done, even without the deposit. We had a couple of landlords who were nervous about Strider even though they couldn't refuse him by law. After we pointed that out, they visibly relaxed. lol.

And Monmouth is a teeeny tiny little podunk town in western oregon that has a university, and I used to live there. To give you an idea, the students outvoted residents to finally lift prohibition less than 10 years ago. :rofl1:

Yes, excellent point!