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

[luckies4me]

I think you just might have that baby tonite/today. You and I and Kay and I all agreeing on the same subject - something's GOT TO happen!

please take that in the context I mean it also - lighthearted- I do wish you well tho! Goodluck baby!

LOL You might be right! I've already been to the hospital once tonight, contractions weren't super regular. Now they are about 5 minutes apart and lasting between 90 sec to 3 minutes each. I just took an Ambient though so now I'm pretty loopy...and I mean loopy! Hoping I can get a little sleep before I go back to the hospital, which is tomorrow morning.

[Uabassoon]

Like others, I also am curious as to why this fund is being set up. Just last week Bri wanted to add another pet to the house, why keep adding more pets when you can't care for the ones that you have. I know that you have had Lily around for a while, it's been well over a year. Why did you get another cat when you already couldn't afford to spay Lily, a dog which you already owned and have made a commitment to? Now I do realize that what's done is done, you have these pets and now they must be cared for. They need to get their shots and they need to fixed before the problem escalates. My main concern is that you still want more pets. The other thing that bugs me is this comment that was made just a few days ago when someone expressed concern about you getting another pet.

[QUOTE]

Because I can get my pets spayed this summer with my summer job? And I can let my mom get me the bird, and then after my pets are spayed the rest of my money can go towards the bird..

Why are you asking for donations if you will be getting a job in a few weeks once the school year ends?

[Catty1]

LOOK! Someone who is 14 years old is gonna want a bird without necessarily getting one...might think that her summer job will pay the $730 before one cat is kicked out...please remember Bri's age!

Several of us have worked our a***** off to get this set up! DON'T donate if you don't want to - but for GOD'S sake, if you have something negative to say, SHUT UP!

Do you think the several of us who are setting this up have NO brains whatsoever???? Or the vets?

There are people on Pet Talk with two regular jobs in the household who STILL find they need $$ help for their pets' care. So tell me again why you are picking on an underemployed single-parent family?

End of rant.

[Vela]

WOW, it's pretty nice that Pet Talk can pay for someone else's pets. Wish someone could give me free handouts when it came to vet bills. I've had incredibly difficult times paying for vet bills in the past but I couldn't imagine asking anyone to pay for something that *I* brought on myself.

I work a low paying job and pay for all of the care and necessities of 4 large dogs, including vet, food, collars, toys, etc.

I understand an emergency (ex:Raven's Cancer) but this is something that every pet owner should be able to pay for - or they should not own animals.

I am glad her pets are getting the care they need now, though.

I was going to post the same thing last night but then I decided not to. I wasn't sure how to say it really I guess. Basic vet care is something you should be able to cover on your own or stop getting more animals and talking about getting more animals. The animals in the home were already NOT getting basic vet care before more were brought in and to me it's enabling them to get more pets and not have to take responsibility, rather than helping. Enabling is not helping in the end. I also found it pretty ballsy that after all of that was set up (which WAS/IS very kind of all of those set up in the first place), the OP actually requested MORE money and wanted to know if it was an ongoing fund so people could contniue to care for their pets???? Yes vet care is expensive, but it's not everyone elses responsbility. This is not an emergency that suddenly popped up, this is a long term ongoing problem.

I also am glad the pets are getting the care they need, but I see it setting up a bad pattern. So what happens next year for shots, heartworm testing and meds, etc etc? This started out as 35 dollars to spay one cat so it wasn't rehomed, and suddenly it's basic vet care for all of the animals to the tune of a thousand dollars, then they ask for MORE because they found worms??? Incredible.

I am very sorry about the hard time you guys have gone through, but if that's the case, even though you love your animals, if you can't provide the basic common care of owning them, sometimes the best thing you can do is rehome them. This is not a one time thing, this is a chronic problem and your animals have never gotten the vet care they need, and more keep being added. Just for the future, when some people are offering to do so much already, please don't ask for more, that is honestly in poor taste.


Edited to add: If this was an emergency, I would be happy to donate, but it is not. It's basic routine care and should be saved up for by the owners to do a little at a time, like everyone else has to do. LOTS of people have money problems, but you have to have priorities. If you can buy your cigarettes, cell phone, internet, etc. you ought to be able to set aside a few dollars to save up for vet care.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Basic vet care is something you should be able to cover on your own
or stop getting more animals and talking about getting more animals.

So what happens next year for shots, heartworm testing and meds, etc etc?

This started out as 35 dollars to spay one cat so it wasn't rehomed,
and suddenly it's basic vet care for all of the animals to the tune of a thousand dollars,
then they ask for MORE because they found worms???
Incredible.

This is not a one time thing, this is a chronic problem and
your animals have never gotten the vet care they need, and more keep being added.

If you can buy your cigarettes, cell phone, internet, etc.
you ought to be able to set aside a few dollars to save up for vet care.

Excellent points!

I tried to write a similar reply a few days ago; then thought better of it.
I don't want to appear to be jumping on when someone's down;
but this whole plan seems to be a stretch of the Pet Talker Good Will and
desire to help.

/s/ Phred

[Catty1]

I think when Bri asked if it was an ongoing fund - my impression was she was asking if it was a general fund for all pets at the clinic, not an endless fountain for her animals. She was answered that it was for her pets alone.

And, by rights, her mom should have all these questions - internet, smoking etc, - addressed to her - but Bri says she doesn't know how to use the computer.

Bri's initial post was to find Gizzy a home - I am sure rehoming offers would be valid, but the initial reaction to this by a couple of folks was to try and get Gizzy spayed so she would settle down and perhaps not have to be rehomed.

I initially had hoped that contributions could be made to pay for the Banfield Vet Wellness plan - VERY affordable by the month, and different plans cover different things. That wouldn't have cost anyone very much, and I am sure Bri and her mom could carry on with it afterwards, which is why I wanted to go that route. Just buy the appropriate wellness plan, and away we go - and if Bri and her mom could carry on afterwards, it WOULD be a hand up as opposed to a perceived handout.

For some reason, Dr Robinson, the vet at the Banfield where Bri lives, wanted to do this through his OWN clinic's fund - hence the $730.00.

Perhaps rehoming the pets should be a condition of this funding?

Anyone willing to adopt?

Suggestions welcome.

[kittycats_delight]

I am very disheartened by the way this thread is turning out. This thread was originally started to find Gizzie a new home as Catty1 already said. The problem was no one had any suggestions. The shelter in Bri's area is a KILL shelter and to stop Gizzie from being tossed into a KILL shelter and 9 chances out of 10 ending up dead which she certainly does deserve the suggestion of spaying Gizzie was brought up. If donated a couple of bucks to save this cats life was the solution then so be it. I would rather see that happen than poor Gizzie lose her life through no fault of her own.

Yes their vaccinations and spays should have been something that was dealt with but there were unforeseen circumstances in this situation that happened after the animals were obtained. Bri had both cats and dogs before things turned bad. Her mom lost her job, they had a break in and lost a lot of things and almost got evicted. It has been a long climb for her mom (a single mother) to get back on her feet.

I think considering if anyone can come up with a better solution here I would love to hear it. And like I said before if it means Gizzie losing her life or putting up a few buck to get her spayed then I vote for the few bucks. I have already voluteered to help from the beginning. I don't want to see this cat killed because we feel they were not responsible. That doesn't make things right by any means.

If you don't want to help don't. If you have other suggestions as to how to solve this please say so but do not slam a 14 year old child and single mother for this. And with all due respect Bri is 14 what kind of job do you honestly think she can get to be able to pay a vet bill of $730? And considering her mom is not steadily employed now don't you think it will be possible if she does get a job that some of her money will have to go to help keep them afloat?


Michelle

[Cinder & Smoke]

If you don't want to help, don't.

If you have other suggestions as to how to solve this please say so ...

Some of us have objected to the family's desire to ADD more Pets to an already crowded home;
and the mention of possibly "moving" and needing to rehome the critters.

It seems to me that the well being of the Animals is not always (if ever)
being considered as a family priority.

/s/ Phred

[kittycats_delight]

Some of us have objected to the family's desire to ADD more Pets to an already crowded home;
and the mention of possibly "moving" and needing to rehome the critters.

It seems to me that the well being of the Animals is not always (if ever)
being considered as a family priority.

/s/ Phred

Phred I have spoke with Bri privately and she knows she cannot handle the pets she has not let alone more but she is only 14 and sometimes kids don't think about what happens next. They just know they want it and that's that. I know and you know and many others know that it is not possible and if someone takes the time to sit and talk to the younger person they too come to realize it is not possible.

I also know that it seems the animals are not the family's main priority but when you are wondering how you can get your next rent paid or if you will have work next week I think a lot of thing lose perspective. They are in a bad place and need to re-evaluate the entire situation. But really if we could not manage to find a home for one cat how are we going to find a home for 2 cats and 2 dogs? If their only choice is to keep the animals and struggle or send them to a KILL shelter what is the choice to make. Would either of us if we were stuggling choose to send our babies to a place where they would most likely be killed within a week or keep them with us and look after them and ourselves the best way we could. It is not an easy situation. Bri does love her pets but she is only 14 and her mom is trying to the best of her ability to provide for herself and her child and her childs pets. It has to be hard for her mom too knowing that her daugther loves these animals and they can't provide for them as they should.

Do we really want these animals sent to a shelter where they will lose their lives or do we want them to stay where they at least have half a chance. Bri has searched for homes and has come up short. What now? It is obvious if she is in a place where there is only a kill shelter that it may not be so simple as you might think to find the right solution here.

Michelle

[shais_mom]

The ONLY thing that I think is good about this is that the money goes directly to the clinic.
I really don't think that we are bringing negative statements into this thread - just voicing concern. No one implied that ANYONE didn't have a brain in their head, Catty - sheesh. Now who turns it Nasty?
I'm sorry but I see a HISTORY here. HISTORY.
This is the family that couldn't afford vet care for one dog and it died, and then turned around and shelled out $$$ a month or 2 later for another pom and since then more animals.
This is the same child who last year in one thread said they didn't have enough money to pay rent or buy food but was thinking about asking for a $300 camera for her birthday. Then asked if anyone had an memory card to give her. Do you see what I'm saying? It doesn't seem like its never enough and I do understand that she is 14. But @ 14 I would not have the guts to ask for the things she has to us and to her mother, and while I do understand that its the animals lives @ stake but doing this is just enabling her to think that we owe her something and that she will carry thru the rest of her life. I am not implying she would be UNGRATEFUL @ all, before you put words in my mouth and imply that. I'm sure she would be grateful but what about next year when she gets another dog or another cat and wants money then?
I honestly think in my heart, that she has seen us give money to several people who have needed it over the couple years she has been here, and now she thinks it is her turn.

[Ginger's Mom]

I have purposely not come to this thread at all since it was brought to my attention by Brianna posting a plea for help in Dog General. I knew that I would become angry and upset. But, now that I have, I see that I am not the only one who feels this way. Michelle and Catty1 I truly believe that you are both very good ladies who have only the best interest of the animals at heart, and I applaud you and your good hearts for that. But, I also believe in this case you are enabling a situation that should never have happened to continue. Do I want these animals taken to a kill shelter and put to sleep, of course not. Do I want any true animal lover's pet (as I believe Bri is) taken to a shelter and put to sleep? Again the answer is no. But I do not have the money, time, patience, nor do I feel it is my place to right the wrongs of every irresponsible pet owner out there. I feel for Bri and her mother. They need to take care of themselves first and never should have brought the animals into the situation that they did. It is nice of you ladies to want to help. But do not chastise those that feel differently than you do. I personally think that anyone who really wanted to help these animals would be putting much more time and effort into finding suitable homes for these animals than in collecting money for a temporary fix.

[Kfamr]

I am not sure they are as bad off as a few of you seem to think.

I know that if I couldn't care for my pets routine check-ups, spaying/neutering, etc. that I would not have a cell phone, internet, computer (that apparently only the teenager in the home uses), and constantly buying movie-themed items. To me, that's someone who is pretty well off and should be able to pay for 4+ animals.

There are things in life that we need to give up to be RESPONSIBLE pet owners. If we cannot afford something, then we should not have it.

Heck, Mufasa was sprung on us. We didn't expect to pay $400 something for his first check-ups. We didn't expect to spend close to $500 4 months previous to that for Kiara while she was missing - I didn't even work that whole week! It's just something we had to do - and yes, I had to give up some of my guilty pleasures - I didn't buy anything for myself for a while, just the bare necessities. Don't see me asking for a "Kay's Crew Fund."

After having a job for nearly 2 year now, I just NOW got cell phone a month or so ago.

Point being, I would give up everything to be sure of my pets well being - if that meant not going out with friends, not buying anything but necessities, etc, then so be it. And YES, I have been in a situation where there was only 1 source of income in our home - with 5 people and 1 dog on a fast food related income. Simba didn't receive any less - we had our necessities, he had his necessities. And YES, I was "only 14" or even younger.

And NO ONE needs to tell ANYONE to "SHUT UP." That is incredibly uncalled for. This is a public discussion board and I am sorry not everyone agrees with your opinion.

It's great that a few of you are trying to help, however, it seems this is just a free ride. If they aren't paying for routine vet care now (which I was almost sure that we were told they were previously) who's to say they are going to down the road? This is just a similar story over and over from this child and all this is going to do is enable the situation.

[shais_mom]

Also know that I am not implying that anyones brains are in the wrong place, as CATTY1 implied that I/we were. And I KNOW that people's hearts are definately in the right place.
I have a question Michelle, but won't ask it here. I will PM you, and I hope you will answer it.

ETA:
I agree with Kay - I didn't think ANY ONE was being rude or negative until CATTY1 told us to SHUT UP.
I wasn't going to say anything @ first even tho I 100% DISAGREE with this - I know its going happen regardless. If that is what Pet Talker's want to do with their money, so be it. I just hope that when a pet comes up TRULY in need, that this doesn't burn them out. B/c it certainly would me.
I think if she wouldn't have put requests in each of the general sections to make it appear begging that emotions wouldn't be quite so high for some people.

[Catty1]

Folks - I am very short tempered right now, had a meltdown yesterday - I haven't had major surgery in my whole life, and it is happening Tuesday. I apologize.

It was deliberate that we set things up so money would go to the fund directly. That way, no accidents happen.

If you folks have ideas for rehoming Bri's animals, then maybe send her a PM. I am way up here in Canada and have no idea what is in TN.

Maybe Dr Robinson has clients that would adopt them? I don't know. Maybe they would chip in for the surgeries and stuff.

But I am getting to the end of having time to do anything.

I have sent in my donation. If the funds come in and they are not used for the specific fund in a month's time, the $$ will be allocated to other needy pets.

I mean...not easy to rehome an unspayed pet.

Again, ideas and other solutions are welcome.

[Vela]

Catty I truly wish you well with the surgery, I know it can be very stressful (not trying to derail the thread) and I know you have good intentions in this whole thing, as well as Michelle.


Trust me I KNOW what it's like to have hard times. I've eaten out of garbage cans as a young child and lived on my own since I was 16, so there is no need to tell me about age either. There are priorities in life that people have to learn to make for themselves. I do not want anyone's pets to suffer or be put to sleep, but honestly it was the attitude it was brought forth with that made it seem so frustrating I guess.

Just last month she was begging people to buy her items on ebay for 20-40 dollars and she would send them the money. If she had that last month she should have used it on her pets. She's had money to buy other fish and other things, wants 300 dollar cameras, but not save it up for what her pets need, then with a glib fashion of "oh well we can't afford it, please give me money" she asks for people to take care of basic care for her pets. It's about proirities, and making them if you are going to be a pet owner. It's time to grow up and stop being selfish and if you are going to have the pets, take care of them, not buy yourself things.

I do understand right now they are in a tight spot, but the animals went without those shots ,etc this long, the only priority should be spaying the one cat to stop the problems. I also still feel they should be rehomed to take the stress off of her mom about putting food in their mouths but since I can't do anything about it, I don't live there, I can't say you need to rehome them. I feel bad for the situation, but some of it just comes down to choices. I hope it all works out in the end.