Wow, did I get told where to go!

I can't tell you how often I see things like this. One thing I hate is when someone shows up without an appointment and without calling, demand to be seen immediately, demand that every diagnostic test possible be done, give everyone a hard time and then when they are checking out mention that they don't have any money!!!!

So we work out butts off for nothing. Our practice currently has $33,000 owed to them in past due bills. To think of all the equipment we could buy with that to help the people who actually do pay.


It also makes me mad when people don't want to pay to get their animals spayed/neutered or vaccinated but then end up paying multiple times that amount when the animal gets something that could have been prevented by that.

We already had a pyo today and have one more scheduled tomorrow. We also had a masectomy earlier in the week. Had the owners paid the few hundred dollars to get their animals spayed they wouldn't be paying so much more for this surgery.

*end of rant*

Originally Posted by Kumbulu

A lady posted on an Australian forum I'm on, that her cat is off his food, is drooling, drinking TONNES of water and won't let her go near him. She was worried that he had eaten a baited rat and also stated that she couldn't afford vet care.

I replied, "How is the cat now? Do you own a TV, mobile phone, microwave, stereo? You can get cash for these and take him to the vet. Please do it soon - it sounds like he is really suffering. You wouldn't let a child continue like this."

I was told to get down off my soap box and perhaps she should sell one of her kids.

I am so, so sick of people describing their ill cats symptoms and it's obvious the cat is very ill or really suffering and they end the post with, "But I can't afford to go to the vet." It's so very sad when the cat ends up dying. Surely you can budget for veterinary expenses or have a credit card especially for this purpose? Something.

*End whine.*

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I never could understand why people do that either,ask for advice then get peed off epically when it sounds bad, It's not that people on here are not trying to help, but geez when you mention vet they go sideways, I wonder what they expect.

I hear you. It is VERY frustrating when people decide to get a cat and then can't afford to give them proper care, and view them as disposable. It really irks me when people don't spay and neuter either, not to mention declawing. I think I'll stop now.

I hate people like that. Does it cross these people's mind when they get pets that the pets will need to go to the doctor on a regular basis?

I ended up setting up a special bank account for my two (in addition to my personal savings and checking)...It has a couple grand in it just sitting there (I add a little every month) in case someone has a major emergency. I also use that account for their yearlies and any meds, etc. It's so easy to do, it acculates pretty quickly and I don't even notice vet care being taken from my income, even when someone has a large vet bill. I don't know why doing something to this effect (or something as easy as getting a credit card with animal care being the only thing put on it) when it's so easy and...GRRRR, it just makes me angry!

The problem is sometimes is that vets try to rip you off too - When I took Portia to the vet he tried to convince me to get a faecal sample because she had diarrhea. And it was going to cost around $80 (US). I knew that a faecal sample was unlikely to tell me what I needed to know (I worked in a vet pathology lab and know what they can't and can't tell you) so I declined. He saw her for about 5 minutes and barely touched her and I got charged $30 US for him to see her!!!

So I went to another vet - He simply told me that it was the formula I was feeding her (it wasn't nutritional enough), he recommended a brand I should buy and that was it. No fee, and the diarrhea cleared up with the better formula. This is because this vet cares about animals and isn't going to charge someone for a consultation when he can't really do anything because she was so small (i.e. couldn't take a rectal temperature because he would rip her little bum apart)

Safe to say I'm lucky that I'm fairly knowledgable when it comes to vet care and testing and I can spot when someone wants to rip me off. I have now been able to find a fantastic vet who gives the proper care that all pets should have.

But I would also like to point out that I also agree that you shouldn't take on a pet unless you can afford to take care of it or do something about finding a way to afford it (i.e. looking around for the best vet prices or selling items at home you no longer need)

Oh people like that really hack me off!

We've all seen similar posts here time and time again, haven't we? When I start reading them, I take a deep breath and let out a big sigh...I know what's coming. But every now and then someone takes the advice. Those are the ones that make reading through all of them worth it.

I think that's the hardest thing about coming to this site, though, reading the posts from those who are unwilling to get their animals help. They just want to be "backed up" on their decision, or pity for their "terrible situation". Pfft...no pity from me. My pity is reserved for the poor animal who is suffering unnecessarily because the owner refuses to do what a responsible person would do, or for the person who moved heaven and earth to get their pet help, and they lost them anyway.

This is so frustrating! You were exactly right in your reply to her, Tania. Sure hope she took your advice to heart!

That is a really good idea!
$10.-$20. a pay period and it will cover most things.

Originally Posted by lionessrampant

I ended up setting up a special bank account for my two (in addition to my personal savings and checking)...It has a couple grand in it just sitting there (I add a little every month) in case someone has a major emergency. I also use that account for their yearlies and any meds, etc. It's so easy to do, it acculates pretty quickly and I don't even notice vet care being taken from my income, even when someone has a large vet bill. I don't know why doing something to this effect (or something as easy as getting a credit card with animal care being the only thing put on it) when it's so easy and...GRRRR, it just makes me angry!

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People like that drive me nuts What astounds me is that they're asking on an internet forum, so they have a computer and internet connection, and yet they have no money

It's amazing the amount of people who have asked how much the vet bills for my two have been regarding the recent surgeries and appointments, my reply is always the same - it doesn't matter. Whatever the bill is, it's a small price to pay for having my kittens home and healthy.

Originally Posted by Purity

People like that drive me nuts

What astounds me is that they're asking on an internet forum, so they have a computer and internet connection, and yet they have no money

It's amazing the amount of people who have asked how much the vet bills for my two have been regarding the recent surgeries and appointments, my reply is always the same - it doesn't matter. Whatever the bill is, it's a small price to pay for having my kittens home and healthy.

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It does seem pretty ironic that they can have a computer and in internet connection and have no money - I want that connection!!

To pay for the vets bills here, I save up all my change and bank it in the 'Cats' Account' I only use it for them and there is always sufficient for anything that may crop up!! You don't even miss the money you put into in!!

i am still in a bad financial situation, but that doesnt mean i shouldnt be allowed to own pets though, I can still deal with my bank if anything happens, and i still have my tv to sell incase i need money.

exactly Fwannnie bebbie,, but we know you adore your pets enough to really want to do that It's the horrid people in this world who claim not to have money and yet they have all these luxuries that they simply don't "want" to part with.

It's very sad - I must admit, Tania, to doing a pretty thorough search to try to find this site and this woman, and let her know exactly what I thought of her attitude. Although I believe that is known as trolling in some parts...lol lol

I find it very depressing that people can watch their animals suffer and die and yet don't even consider calling a vet to see if they can work something out to save their animal. I don't know a vet alive that wouldn't help you out in a situation like that. It's just pure ignorance, thoughtlessness and indifference, nothing else. Poor baby kitty, I hope it's ok.

You know Sarah, normally I'd not endorse trolling... but I suspect you speak for every one of our 12000 members when you tell her what you think of her. So I think I could make an allowance for you. I think there are lots of people who would!

Yes but I'm feeling a bit cranky, grumpy and altogether narky and vengeful today anyway...so probably better not!!

Well iv been putting money away in the bank for some time now and its for emergencys vet care only. Anyone can save up money,iv got a baby to look after but i still make sure all my pets are well.

I agree, granted I DON'T take my cats to the vet for every little sniffle, and won't lie and say I do, but when they are really sick, hurt or just acting strangely I do... I've even had to beg my vet to let me pay him payday or have him hold a check (holds checks gladly, but makes you resort to tears to not pay up front) luckily I've been with him long enough that he (sort of) trusts me to pay up.... find a darn vet and stick with them and they'll take care of you, you would have one anyway if you truly cared about your pets.

Originally Posted by Kumbulu

A lady posted on an Australian forum I'm on, that her cat is off his food, is drooling, drinking TONNES of water and won't let her go near him. She was worried that he had eaten a baited rat and also stated that she couldn't afford vet care.

I replied, "How is the cat now? Do you own a TV, mobile phone, microwave, stereo? You can get cash for these and take him to the vet. Please do it soon - it sounds like he is really suffering. You wouldn't let a child continue like this."

I was told to get down off my soap box and perhaps she should sell one of her kids.

I am so, so sick of people describing their ill cats symptoms and it's obvious the cat is very ill or really suffering and they end the post with, "But I can't afford to go to the vet." It's so very sad when the cat ends up dying. Surely you can budget for veterinary expenses or have a credit card especially for this purpose? Something.

*End whine.*

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I don't understand what people are hoping their responses to something like that will be. Are they hoping someone has a magical home remedy to make their cat better--that's free? Why even bother posting it if there's nothing you can do about it? Obviously her cat is not nearly as important as her stuff.

I'm curious what other people replied with...? Did they just offer sympathy with no advice? I can't imagine that anyone's response could be anything BUT "do what you need to do to get your cat to the vet!"

Unfortunately, I see that kind of behavior evey day. At my clinic, we do not euthanize for convenience. Rather, we encourage people to test their animals to "see what ails them," an go from there. If they don't have the money to care for them, they have to find another vet that will euthanize for their convenience. It may sound harsh, but we started having people bringing in their elderly mother's cats to euthanize, without the mother even knowing! Or people think that if they have to get rid of their cats, the cats "just can't live without me, they love me so much" and want them put to sleep just so the cats don't have to live without them. It got to be rediculous so we don't do it anymore.