Bri & The Pets, Pet Angel Fund, Read post 95 for More info.

I don't ever remember saying in any of my threads that I was a perfect pet owner. I haven't ever claimed to be perfect at anything in my life.
I think I'm more sad over the fact that you think that if we can afford vet care for our pets that we think we are perfect. Money doesn't make anyone perfect.
I have a full time job but I live pay check to pay check due to my spending habits. Is this something I'm proud of? NO Is this something I'm trying to change in my life? YES Did I have to think long and hard before adding another pet into my family. YES If I have ever second guessed my decision it isn't b/c of the money issue, its b/c Kloe is such a twerp, and it feels as tho we haven't bonded. But rehoming her would be like cutting off one of my arms/legs. Just like any of my pets.

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Originally Posted by crow_noir

DO your research! This IS safe to use. It's used in human food supplies as well as cattle feed. You can find tons of info on it online and in books. I am NOT the only one who has used this to deworm their pets.

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You should be able to get it at any garden type store. make sure it is NOT for pools. (Pool grade is highly toxic.

Mix a bit of this up in some broth or gravy (NOT WARMED... adding heat to DE can make it toxic!)

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Offering this kind of advise online on a pet forum to a 14 year old is a little absurd. Why not suggest taking the cat to a *VET* or recommend an over the counter cat dewormer that is veterinarian recommended. That would seem a little more reasonable don't you think? And it beats having to treat over and over again to make sure the parasites are completely gone, when you can treat twice and know the product you are using is effective. Not to mention, if the cat has fleas and is not treated for fleas, the worms will just come back anyway. What makes you think a 14 year old is going to remember exactly how to mix it up? Seems a bit chancy to me.

I've used this in my garden for years. While medical/food grade DE can be safe to use as a dewormer *if you know what you're doing* <---key point here, it's still risky, and I really wouldn't trust the boxes sold at your local Wallmart/garden supply store. Your best bet is to purchase it online from a pet supplier, who will have the right stuff. There are many places online to purchase it.

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And really. I didn't ASK for your god***m opinions, and I don't want to hear them. THOSE OF YOU WHO CAN ONLY BASH ME, MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS

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Do you really think this is the kind of attitude one should have when there are two great people out there right at this moment helping your pets get the veterinary care they need? I have seen no one bashing you on this thread, just pter's merely questioning what is going on. No one is calling you names, and when you post to a public forum you are making your life our business. If you don't want us to know/care about what goes on with you perhaps you should rethink about posting it for all to see.

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First off, I think that there are many single moms out there that would be totally offended to know that they are thought of like this.

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THANK YOU! I am a single mother with a 5 year old and a baby on the way. Being single is no excuse! Everyone has issues/troubles, it doesn't matter if you are single, divorced, widowed, or married. I have been supporting myself since the age of 17, and now have a great job as a Veterinary Technician at one of the largest animal hospitals in the U.S. Times are tough, but I am coping. All my animals are well taken care of and you better believe I would starve myself before ever letting my children/pets go hungry. I would love to add another bearded dragon to my household but is it the right time? No. I don't have the funds or the time to care for another pet. I used to run a rescue and recently due to becoming homeless and having major health issues it was in the best interest of the animals in my care to be rehomed, as bad as it hurt me inside. I knew they deserved better so I did the responsible thing and all found great loving homes, even Tony who I had been trying to adopt out for a year and a half! I even managed a way to make sure everyone was up to date on shots etc. before going to their new homes, because I owed them that much. After all, they did not ask for me to "rescue" them. They were MY responsibility. Now I'm on top of my game...anyone can do it. It might take awhile but it is possible. You just need to sacrifice, and sometimes sacrificing can mean doing something you really don't like. But that's life.

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Well, my mom finds this whole idea rediculous and I don't think she gives a rat's butt if Gizzie is ever spayed, she just wants her out of here T_T. I've been doing everything so far. My mom wouldn't even call a rescue for me, she just wants to take Gizzie to the animal shelter and dump her.

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Since page one it seems excuses have been made for why the family can't do this. First it was getting to a phone (it's not that hard to walk down to your local 711 or what have ya to use a payphone), then it was her mother not wanting her to call etc etc etc. She even said herself the mom just does not like the cat. What if we spay the pet and the mom just gets rid of the cat anyway?! Don't you think the animal deserves to be somewhere where it's stay at the house isn't in jeopardy every day? And I don't buy the excuse that nothing can be done to find this animal a home. Just because there is only a kill shelter around does not mean the animal has to go there. She has the internet and can easily place an ad online on Craigslist, maybe even in her local newspaper? Craigslist is free, and placing an ad in the paper isn't too spendy. I'm sure someone here would be willing to do that as well. How about making a flyer with the cats picture on it and posting it in your local vets office or pet shop?

I feel awful for you Bri, as you should not be the one having to deal with all of this. You are just 14 and it should be your mother's responsibility. If she knew you guys could not afford another pet she shouldn't have let you bring another into the house, plain and simple. I really hope everything works out in the favor of the pets. I know you would love to keep them, and I hope that your family situation gets better soon so that you may get to do that. But please, if you know you cannot care for them in the way they need it may be best to rehome them. I would hate for your mom to take someone to the shelter after so many people here have helped with her medical needs, so that the chances of her staying are better.

Ask yourself. What happens if Gizzy's behavior does not change after her spay? What if she keeps clawing furniture etc? Then what? Keep in mind, all of us here are just thinking of what is best for the pets.

There have been plenty of suggestions to take the cat to the vet, and i even mentioned it in my post that this was just until she could get them to a vet. This was a solution that i was offering for "right now, today." Not a week from now.

If money is truly an issue here i was trying to offer a low cost suggestion that can last for years. Dewormer poisons can expire.

As for being able to mix it up properly, i highly doubt "do not heat" is too hard a concept for a 14 year old to remember. She can always print out the instructions or save it to some form of document program for easy finding.

Most instructions for the DE online say to only use twice also, but i like to err on the side of caution.

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Originally Posted by luckies4me

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Offering this kind of advise online on a pet forum to a 14 year old is a little absurd. Why not suggest taking the cat to a *VET* or recommend an over the counter cat dewormer that is veterinarian recommended. That would seem a little more reasonable don't you think? And it beats having to treat over and over again to make sure the parasites are completely gone, when you can treat twice and know the product you are using is effective. Not to mention, if the cat has fleas and is not treated for fleas, the worms will just come back anyway. What makes you think a 14 year old is going to remember exactly how to mix it up? Seems a bit chancy to me.

I've used this in my garden for years. While medical/food grade DE can be safe to use as a dewormer *if you know what you're doing* <---key point here, it's still risky, and I really wouldn't trust the boxes sold at your local Wallmart/garden supply store. Your best bet is to purchase it online from a pet supplier, who will have the right stuff. There are many places online to purchase it.

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Keep in mind, all of us here are just thinking of what is best for the pets.

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Exactly.

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Originally Posted by crow_noir

As for being able to mix it up properly, i highly doubt "do not heat" is too hard a concept for a 14 year old to remember.

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Maybe not, but a lot just don't care to remember. Don't you remember being 14? :p Not to pick on the youngins or anything!!! :o Plus, since she has no job and the money is tight I'm not so sure her mother would be willing to buy it, especially since a fund has already been set up.

I guess being involved in Veterinary Medicine for the past 9 years has me a little biased. ;) :p

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Originally Posted by Roxyluvsme13

I'm not as perfect as the rest of you with all your money.

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Tell that to my bank manager sweetheart ;) Always have too much month left at the end of my money :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Kfamr

You say to mind our own business, however, once you post such things on Pet Talk (Public Message Board) and ask for our money, you make it OUR business.

I also believe some of you haven't seen some of the things from this "14 year old girl with a single mother" that some of us have. I know many single mothers - some with pets, some without - however they aren't depriving their children or their pets because of it. So that is certainly not an excuse.

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I agree with you 100% there. As I have stated I really don't like Bri's recent actions or but the fighting a bashing isn't helping anyone and I think it needs to stop.

Otherwise, Kay I agree with what I quoted.

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Originally Posted by Roxyluvsme16

I'm not as perfect as the rest of you with all your money.

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I guess it wasn't really directed to me but other people, but that statement is just really wrong. No one here ever said they were "perfect" pet owners. No one is perfect at anything. People have to get rid of pets all the time to put food on the table, not everyone can afford proper vet care right now either. This is LIFE. When my dad lost his job all those years ago, it almost killed us. We had no money but we managed and we got through. He got a job finally. It effected us and it STILL does, and according to my parents it always will. I'm sorry Bri, if you get mad at my post going against you but I was just shocked you would even say things like that. I am FAR from rich, and I will never be rich. I am sure many PT'ers have been in the same situations and no one here is "rich with all our money".

This thread has definitely been an eye-opener. I wonder, while reading these posts, if everyone is satisfied with what they have said. If they feel they have expressed themselves the way they would like. Bri and Alyssa, I am sure your mothers are very proud of your command of the language and the respect you show for yourself and others. It will get you far in life.

Catty1, there has been another suggestion offered over and over again, you have chosen to ignore it. That suggestion is to rehome the animals with families that have the ability to care for their daily needs. You and Bri obviously know how to use the internet and the phone. Think outside of the box and contact rescues, shelters, transport agencies outside of Bri's immediate area. Some rescue may say that they cannot take the animals but will list them on Petfinder so that there is more exposure for getting them a home. The rescue may also pay for what vetting is necessary to get the animal placed and get the money back in the adoption fee (not sure, that was something that just came to me). Yes it would mean that Bri and her mother would have to make themselves available for people to see the animals, but I am sure that they will do what they can to assure the animals well-being, after all we are all trying to do what is best for the animals.

Ginger's Mom - yes, I have noticed the rehoming posts, and I agree that is an option. I have asked for someone to offer...

My resources are a bit limited, Internet notwithstanding, up here in Canada as for getting the "feel" of what is available nearby in TN.

Also, I am having major surgery Tuesday, and anything I start now would have to be taken up by someone else. I won't be back at a decent computer for about 2 weeks from that date.

I hope that "someone" is out there.

Thanks. :)

I think alot of the hoopla, concern, anger, disdain, opinions, and analyzations have been voiced because of the nature of the situation. Everyone on this board, most likely, struggles, to a point, to make ends meet. Some of have offered input on ways to help Bri and her family improve things, from experience. Maybe this is off the original purpose of the thread but some things that have been said were sorta necessary because of the common feelings we all have. Joyce is right....our main goal is to always do the best for the animals. It's just hard for us to believe that one family on this board is offered a large sum of $$$ for care of their pets, when 200 other members are in that much need as well. I believe that's why this thread has gotten off to where it is now.

I am surprised and pleased to see that many of our long time citizens have posted to this thread. That shows us the level of concern here.

Thanks to anyone who takes the time to read this. I have just one more thing that bugs me. Not to criticize or insult anyone but; I have read in almost every post how Bri is only 14 years old. We have several 14 year olds on this board that are mature beyond belief. Several, I would never have known they are 14 unless you told me. Being "just" 14, Bri has been incredibly savvy to get this far on this thing. Being 14 is not a handicapp unless we depend on that 14 year old to earn enough money to pay for these pet's care all by herself. Being the adult in this situation, again, why has her mother allowed all these animals to come in, knowing they can't take care of them? It's not that Bri is 14, it's the fact that her mother, the adult, is "non-participatory", in their upkeep. Yet, she is happy and willing to accept the donations from a group of strangers. Am I the only one that sees something missing here? Hence, the concern, anger and opinions.


In the end, I hope these pets get what they need and live a long and happy life. :)

Okay, one more reply and then I know that I really need to shut my mouth. Catty1, I am a little confused as to your reference to not know what is available in Tennessee because you are in Canada. You have two resources, Brianna and the internet. If I was looking to rehome an animal even in my own neighborhood, after speaking with my friends (which I assume Bri has done), I would turn to the internet to see what other options are available. First I would search within 50 miles of my area for a rescue or shelter, after I made all of my calls to them I would search 100 miles, then back to the phone (got the phone numbers from the internet) and so on. What is sad is that you have already spent a lot of time asking Pet Talkers for money, that time could have been used making phone calls or sending e-mails to agencies that could help as soon as you saw how this idea was going over. Now you feel that you do not have the time to do that. :( Also in re-reading these posts I see that Reggie lives in GA and has offered any assistance she can give. Have you spoken with/pm'd her?

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Originally Posted by Roxyluvsme13

And don't even mention rehoming.

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It seems rehoming is something she is not willing to consider anyway, even if it was the difference between the animals receiving the care they needed or not. My apologies if I am wrong, but from reading all this it seems to me that this family wants what is best for the people over what may be best for the animals. I imagine if the money is not given to ensure their care, they will not work to get them to a situation where they can if that means rehoming, and the animals simply will not receive care.

This situation is sad and frustrating for all involved.

I agree with K9Soul. Briana is not interested in rehoming the animals, even if they cannot care for them, she has said as much. Rehoming does NOT mean putting into a kill shelter. I have to say, Briana did not help in any way to get the fund set up, would not make even a phone call when they asked her to. If she isn't going to put any effort into even helping get a donation fund set up for OTHER people to pay for her animals' care, you can bet 100% she will refuse to help do something she doesn't WANT to do, such as rehoming the pets.

Briana this is not a cut to you but it is the facts. You did not help get the fund set up, your mother did not help get the fund set up. People from other coutries and states had to do it.

I have no doubt Briana's mother would be happy to rehome the animals, less for her to have to deal with, but Briana will not, even if it means they can't get proper care in their home.

This is where the "stepping up and growing up" part comes in, but if she isn't willing to do it then nobody can help. If I lived there, I would try to help but since I don't I can't really do anything about it, and trust me my plate is overfull, but I would still try if I could.

I have lived on my own since I was 16, so I don't want to hear about "she's only 14". She could say, "mom, it's best for the animals, since we can't provide the proper care, to find homes for them so they can get proper care". It's about priorities and choices. I DO feel badly they are in a bad situation, it SUCKS, but everyone I know has been at some point or another, and they have to make the best choices for the animals in their care, not for themselves.

I am not bashing on anyone on this thread, I never have, I have only talked about what I have seen as a pattern in the past, what I see as a continuing pattern for the future, and animals who never got the care even when there was money. It has simply not been a priority, until it was on someone else's dollar.

Then someone who wants donations steps in and swears at people, calls them names, makes nasty remarks, well I'm afraid that just isn't going to get anyone very far. Would I donate to someone with a humble attitude and a grateful attitude? You bet. Would I donate to someone with a nasty snotty attitude? No. Now I realize Briana did not like what she read here, and that is why she got upset and made those remarks, but honestly most of it what was said by others about the matter was not said in a mean manner at all, and unfortuatnely sometimes the truth hurts. We all have problems, but it's how you react to them that matters. I don't like hearing I'm doing something wrong or not making the best choices, but sometimes it's the truth and we have to take responsbility for our actions and choices, even when it's hard. I have to do it, and so does everyone here.

I hope in the end the animals either get the care they need, or new homes, or whatever, but it's going to take some real sacrifice to get there, as hard as that is. I have a genuine concern for Briana and her mother, and the animals, and I hope they are able to get back on their feet and in a more stable environment.

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Originally Posted by Vela

I agree with K9Soul. Briana is not interested in rehoming the animals, even if they cannot care for them, she has said as much. Rehoming does NOT mean putting into a kill shelter. I have to say, Briana did not help in any way to get the fund set up, would not make even a phone call when they asked her to. If she isn't going to put any effort into even helping get a donation fund set up for OTHER people to pay for her animals' care, you can bet 100% she will refuse to help do something she doesn't WANT to do, such as rehoming the pets.

Briana this is not a cut to you but it is the facts. You did not help get the fund set up, your mother did not help get the fund set up. People from other coutries and states had to do it.

I have no doubt Briana's mother would be happy to rehome the animals, less for her to have to deal with, but Briana will not, even if it means they can't get proper care in their home.

This is where the "stepping up and growing up" part comes in, but if she isn't willing to do it then nobody can help. If I lived there, I would try to help but since I don't I can't really do anything about it, and trust me my plate is overfull, but I would still try if I could.

I have lived on my own since I was 16, so I don't want to hear about "she's only 14". She could say, "mom, it's best for the animals, since we can't provide the proper care, to find homes for them so they can get proper care". It's about priorities and choices. I DO feel badly they are in a bad situation, it SUCKS, but everyone I know has been at some point or another, and they have to make the best choices for the animals in their care, not for themselves.

I am not bashing on anyone on this thread, I never have, I have only talked about what I have seen as a pattern in the past, what I see as a continuing pattern for the future, and animals who never got the care even when there was money. It has simply not been a priority, until it was on someone else's dollar.

Then someone who wants donations steps in and swears at people, calls them names, makes nasty remarks, well I'm afraid that just isn't going to get anyone very far. Would I donate to someone with a humble attitude and a grateful attitude? You bet. Would I donate to someone with a nasty snotty attitude? No. Now I realize Briana did not like what she read here, and that is why she got upset and made those remarks, but honestly most of it what was said by others about the matter was not said in a mean manner at all, and unfortuatnely sometimes the truth hurts. We all have problems, but it's how you react to them that matters. I don't like hearing I'm doing something wrong or not making the best choices, but sometimes it's the truth and we have to take responsbility for our actions and choices, even when it's hard. I have to do it, and so does everyone here.

I hope in the end the animals either get the care they need, or new homes, or whatever, but it's going to take some real sacrifice to get there, as hard as that is. I have a genuine concern for Briana and her mother, and the animals, and I hope they are able to get back on their feet and in a more stable environment.

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Vela, you and Jess have an incredible way with words. Well said as always. This is what I tried to say in the other 3000 words I wrote. Thank you. :)

I have to wonder how many people were getting ready to hit PAY and then read what she said - swearing @ us, and calling us rich etc then reconsidered. I know I would.

If people have money to spare to give to her - I think that's great, I just don't want people to be shocked or hurt when the cat is given away, "escapes" or something.
I find it odd that she is so adament against rehoming NOW but just a few months ago - she was asking people on PT to take Gizzy.

I know she lives with her mom full time but remember she also does have a dad and a couple of siblings.... where are they in all this mess? :(
and I'm not sure who said it but her mom finds this all ridiculous getting the cat spayed, etc, but yet she doesn't have a problem with the fact that several strangers from all over the world are opening their hearts and wallets and she's more than willing to take that...

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Originally Posted by Daisy and Delilah

Vela, you and Jess have an incredible way with words. Well said as always. This is what I tried to say in the other 3000 words I wrote. Thank you. :)

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Well I think you said it just fine=) I honestly have no ill will towards them at all, I just hope for the best for everyone in the situation.

this whole thing started with whether or not to rehome Gizmo because she was so agrassive. spaying came into as an advice to help this behaviour. now this 35 dollar need has avalanched into 730 dollar 'project' and the spaying and neutering of two cats and two dogs and their general vet care (with 'issues' like to get or not to get a bird also, which have nothing to do with the original problem, coming in between). perhaps everyone should take a deep breath and 'mind their own business' like the owner of these pets so rudely advised some of the people trying to help her. we cannot have all the pets we want (like so many other things in life), let alone help them all. and there are somany that need serious medical intervention that 730 dollars could provide.