<prompt> Human: Hi rpersonalfinance! I volunteer regularly at an animal shelter where I help socialize cats to prepare them for adoption. There is one that has kind of grabbed my heart and I am at least partially serious about adopting her. What is holding me back is the financial side of pet ownership. Currently my only pets are some succulents sHere is some of my basic info: - 22F - Current full time college student, graduating in December with a BSN in nursing - Current savings are a little over 1500 - Currently working a part time job as a home health caregiver, earning about 200-400 a month, but I could increase that potentially to 400-500 if I picked up more hours and watched less Netflix. - Current monthly spending is usually 50-100 in miscellaneous things such as toiletries and meals with friends. I am relatively frugal!Initial fees for the cat would be a 40 adoption and a 400 deposit at my current apartment 200 refundable on move out plus food and litter supplies estimating ? 120 right out, monthly will be less. I might be able to get the pet deposit waived by my MHNP that I see for anxiety and get the cat classified as an emotional support animal. The cat would already be spayed, with shots, and microchipped. My parents will be paying my rent and providing my food money until December, where I will move in with them while I study for my boards. When work starts timeline estimates mid february I will move in cities to live with my long term significant other. Im a full time student, but I could definitely pick up more hours. I really havent been saving for anything in particular other than my first month of rentfood for when I move to my new city rentbills will be 750. Eventually I will need to get a new car, but that can definitely wait until my big girl money comes in.My question is: do you think I can afford to adopt a cat? How much do you spend a month on your cat? Is there a certain amount I should save first? I appreciate all advice! I also posted this on rcatsEdited to correct some numbersEdit 2: yall are so supportive! You have definitely given me a lot to think about. I live out of state from this particular shelter, but I am going back this week to visit my parents during my short summer break. If she is there, I will see if I can adopt her! Also thank you for the gold! Thats a first! Edit 3: to those of you offering donations, I so appreciate it!! I had no idea reddit was this kind. I do have a PayPal account for those that wish to contribute. Thank you so much to everyone! If the adoption is successful, Ill report back with photos!Edit: I adopted her! Ill post an update with the breakdown of my first month of expenses in the next few weeks! Thank you all so much for your help!Assistant: This is so considerate. Seriously, really responsible. Honestly, once you have the cat they dont cost too much. Make sure you are getting quality grain free food for your cat so she stays healthy and invest in her health so you avoid vet bills down the line. Also, you can start a savings account just for cat emergencies, put away 25 a month, so if anything happens youre safe down the line. Have fun with your fur baby! x edit: Thanks for all the civil discussion and new info for me to check out. You guys are great! Human: Thank you! I appreciate it. I like the idea of a monthly savings fund. That is totally doable for me.  <response>: Definitely save monthly for eventual vet bills. Cats are generally cheap and low maintenance very very generalising here, you get high maintenance ones especially if theyre long hair but once they hit old age they just give out. Its kidneys and arthritis and thyroids and hundreds in vet checks and medicine and surgeries in some cases. 