I recommend more than a modicum of income to be actually responsible. I’ve had a dozen or so mixed breed cats in my life to date. Cancer, diabetes, kidney failure, liver failure, dementia, and FIP have claimed about half of them, with huge medical bills to match. A cat on the street usually dies violently and suddenly, but when you take one in, that includes caring for it in old age too. Cats (and no living animal) is fire-and-forget pet ownership.
Cancer, diabetes, kidney failure, liver failure, dementia, and FIP would all kill a cat on the street, too. It's not irresponsible to give them a sudden, nonviolent death in these cases. It could be argued that spending a lot of money just to keep them alive is selfish. I can give a cat a better life than it would have on the street using a modicum of income, and responsibly not spend a lot of money just to let them suffer should the reaper come knocking.
It’s certainly a polarizing idea I think, but I could never be convinced to start investing thousands of dollars or a huge amount of time into keeping a very sick animal alive. I appreciate and respect the kind hearts of those who would, but I’d force myself to say goodbye.
My only pet, a cat whom I adopted as unexpectedly as Mii was adopted, very mysteriously ran away (super out of character, she was a happily indoor-only cat) when she was 13 but before her health had become a severe impediment or cost. I missed her terribly and still do, but I admit that it was a great blessing to not have been forced to make such a decision. My hope is that she sensed she was dying and some wild part of her deeply wished to be in nature again and in solitude for that experience.
