Would you lend $600 for a cat?

If a person can't afford to pay the vet bills for the animals they already own...then they have no business getting even more animals.

Purebred/shelter/rescue cat - it's a moot point, she cannot afford to pay the bills for the two cats she currently owns, so there is no way I would support, financially or otherwise, her getting yet another pet.

You need to tell her that very bluntly. When she is in a financial position to pay her own vet bills without borrowing money from family members THEN she can pay for anther pet herself.

Never. We adopt, not shop.

Makes no sense to pay that much for a cat she cannot afford to buy. She needs to get an ordinary affordable cat or save toward another fancy cat.

Here's my take on the situation. Your's sister's sick kitty is still alive and has 6-9 months to live. Her focus should be on making those 6-9 months as stress free as possible. Why the rush to buy a new kitten now? That is a sure fire way to introduce a TON of stress into the lives of these two sphinx cats who are bonded and live together. I'm pretty sure the reason the other cat was howling was because he/she knew something serious was wrong with the other cat and was expressing anxiety and worry. Perfectly normal if you ask me given the situation. Once the two cats are back to living together again and in their normal routine the howling should stop. But if your sister brings in a new kitten into this established two cat household that's a huge mistake. That's the very last thing a very sick cat with heart failure needs! Tell her if she cares anything about her sick cat (and I'm sure she does) she needs to hold off any thoughts about new kittens (a cat) until her sick kitty has passed. Then she needs to give her remaining cat time to grieve (not to mention herself).  

I've had cats for the past 48 years. My two elderly cats Biru and James passed away within 3 months of each other in the winter of 2014. It was a very difficult time for us. 

I'd like to mention though that I personally didn't get a full bred Siamese kitten because I'm materialistic. I'm the last person I think who can be thought of as that way. I drive an 18 year old car and I love it. I buy my clothes from Goodwill and Ebay. I had a flip phone and was very happy with it. Just recently was forced into getting an Iphone because I'm going on a trip to Poland with my parents in May and my flip phone won't work there. I got a used Iphone 4S from Ebay. I'm not into designer anything-although I did buy my first designer handbag but it was also from Ebay and I got it at a huge savings ($120.00 vs. $438.00). I haven't had a vacation in 8 years. Because DH isn't able to take the time off work. 

I've had shelter kitties my entire life until Biru. He was my first Siamese and he was what is known as a Traditional Siamese. They are the old fashioned version with the round faces and full bodies-the way they looked when they first came over to England from Siam. Biru was an extraordinary cat-so intelligent and insightful. I got him for $400.00 which is the same price I paid for Jesse last year-my new Siamese. I think at this point in my life I can decide if I want a Siamese kitten from a breeder or not. I think Jesse needs a brother, so I'm hoping to convince DH when I get home from my trip. If he agrees we'll get the new kitty from our local shelter which is where we got James. 

As for your sister OP, no I don't think she needs to borrow money for a new Sphinx cat or kitten. Certainly not now-and I've explained why above-and not later either. If she can't afford to pay for the cat herself, then she certainly can't afford to pay for the upkeep. Getting the cat is only the first step. The upkeep is even more expensive in the long run. Food, litter and vet bills and up very quickly. 

My answer would be no.

I agree with all the above.

Around here the best place to get kittens is a farm. Barn kittens are neverending. And free.

Neither a borrower nor a lender be.

Pit bulls are wonderful dogs and don't deserve the bad rap they've been getting. They were bred to be used as nanny dogs.

I'll stop derailing this thread, sorry.

They actually were bred to be fighting dogs, as I'm sure you know full well. Fighting pits = "pit" bulls.

I'm not here to knock pit bulls. I've met some wonderful pit bulls who are great with people and kids. I just don't want one in my home with my cats.

Unfortunately too many losers have taken to breeding pit bulls for purposes very different than nanny dogs.  Most of the pit bull/pit bull mixes found in OUR shelters are there due to being impounded by animal control either for neglect or aggressive behavior.  The puppies are snatched up quickly by people who don't live in towns that restrict them - and I have no doubt are raised to be great dogs.  Unfortunately the older dogs often have behavior issues as they were raised by assholes.

Mid-forties and she is broke? She has spent half of her working life and she doesn't have any savings? That is just crazy!  What happens when her parents are no longer available to bail her out financially?  They have set her up to fail as an adult. 

Just my brutally-honest opinion.  I have a SIL that is in her late fifties and has nothing to show for it.  MIL keeps enabling her.  An $8,000 loan for her home, turned out to be an $8,000 donation. DH and I will not bail her once MIL is gone!

I would not give/lend her the money for the "fancy" cat....there are plenty in shelters that need good homes

My brother got his dogs from Great Dane rescue leagues.  Your idea is great!