08/16/2025
I want to preface this by saying that I’m naturally a very suspicious person. I tend to trust no one, and this is a general post, not directed at anyone in particular. These are just my personal opinions.
When you see someone post on social media looking for a “free” kitten with no other details, please DO NOT give them a kitten or help them find one. There are usually only two possibilities at play. One being naïve, the other potentially very disturbing.
Scenario #1: Lack of Financial Preparedness
This person may not realize that there is no such thing as a “free” kitten. Adoption fees typically cover the essentials like spaying/neutering and microchipping. You will incur these costs should you choose not to go through a traditional adoption process. Then, beyond that, cat ownership comes with 15–20 years of ongoing expenses like food, litter, toys, supplies, annual checkups, vaccines, medications, and more. None of this is free. It is quite the opposite, very expensive. If someone cannot afford an adoption fee, chances are they may also struggle to provide for the cat long-term. Helping them acquire a “free” kitten may only add to the cycle of “I need to rehome my cat” posts that flood these platforms.
Scenario #2: Malicious Intent
Unfortunately, there are also people who seek out free kittens to use as bait for dog fighting or other cruel purposes. They avoid shelters not only to sidestep fees, but also to avoid leaving a paper trail. If they were caught, kittens adopted from a shelter could be traced back to them as evidence. By handing over a kitten in these cases, you could unknowingly enable horrific abuse.
I know most people want to be helpful, but sometimes, being cautious is far more important than being accommodating.