Q: My one co-worker has seven cats and quite frankly, she’s not financially stable. A few weeks ago, she started a GoFundMe for one of her cats who needed surgery for bladder stones. Is it me or are these fundraisers for pets becoming more common (and annoying)? And while we’re at it, how many cats are too many?

Asking for a friend,

Lois in New Kensington

Dear Lois,

You aren’t crazy, pet fundraisers are indeed becoming more common. It’s not unheard of to receive a link titled “Help us save our cat Luna” in your inbox. It’s the price we pay for living in a society where veterinary bills rival college tuition.

We’ve seen some campaigns that are genuinely touching, especially if the owner’s children have a strong bond with a pet, or if the owner is enduring an unforeseen tragedy. But some fundraisers feel a bit like emotional blackmail. How can some people afford expensive shoes or constantly go out to eat, but suddenly can’t pay for a cat’s doctor’s bill?

Now, as for how many cats is too many, it’s a free world and you can have as many as you want — so long as you understand that the cats are in charge, not you. A good rule of thumb is this: if your home smells like a litter box with furniture, and a big chunk of your paycheck goes to your cats, you may need to think twice about it. Seven cats isn’t necessarily a problem — but seven cats and zero financial plan definitely is.

Most pet owners mean well and truly care about their animals. So tossing a few dollars toward the cat with the bladder stones may mean the world to your friend. In the meantime, encourage your friend to look into low-cost vet care programs or nonprofit animal organizations.

Q: My daughter, a high school senior, has received dozens of invitations to graduation parties – and so have I. At this rate, I’m going to be broke by the end of the summer just by giving out one graduation gift after another. What is the going rate for graduation gifts? Just asking for a friend.

Jackie in Springdale

Dear Jackie,

First off, if you’re invited to 25 parties, no one is checking to see if you brought a gift to each one. You need to give what you’re comfortable with and not what will make you look good.

The unspoken but widely practiced rule for graduation gifting is this: it’s totally OK to scale. And it’s totally fine to adjust the amount depending on who the gift is for. Here’s a breakdown to help you preserve both your budget and your social standing:

• $10-$30 is perfectly acceptable for acquaintances, classmates and neighbors.

• $40-$75 is fine if it’s one of your daughter’s close friends or a family friend you’ve watched grow up.

• $100+ is reserved for relatives, godchildren or friends so close they practically live in your house.

One reminder: cash rules when it comes to grads. No need to agonize over personalized bracelets they’ll never wear or inspirational books they’ll never read. Slip a card with a check or a crisp bill inside. And if you can’t afford cash, a nice card with a personal note will be invaluable to them. Give what you can, where it matters and skip the guilt.

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