Sorry, Sy.W, although I sympathise with your situation, I'm wondering why you acquired a female cat in the first place, if you couldn't afford to get her spayed? Too many people get cats and don't have them neutered, resulting in too many kittens (cute at the time, but they grow up!), and can't find homes for them. Are you prepared to keep up to 8 or 9 kittens, especially when they grow up? It'll cost you a lot more in cat food than it would to have your female spayed now. I don't mean to sound harsh and I'm truly sorry you've found yourself in this situation. It's just that I care a lot about cats and I've seen the result of un-neutered moggies running wild.