Something that bothers me - this is very long

[Vela]

I agree it is a good idea not to make snap judgements on posts like that. I think there are many circumstances that can come into play in a situation like this. Sometimes bad things happen in life and put us in situations that we have no control over, that is not the same thing though as knowing you cannot afford basic animal care for an animal and getting it anyway.

None of us know the circumstances as to why someone might post a question about vet care so it is not wise to make judgements based on limited information; however, if an animal is in severe pain, has a broken limb, etc etc, you go without food for yourself or don't pay the light bill to take them in. It's part of the responsibility of owning them. It is never wise to judge someone, as those same judgements we give towards others might be meted out on us at some point in time. Bad things happen to everyone and I think most do the best they can for their pets.

The only thing I get upset about is someone who obvouisly cannot or does not provide even basic care, or whose previous animals die very frequently, and then they just pop up with more new ones right away. In those circumstances it's a bit unsettling to see new pets come in that, for one reason or anther, don't seem to last long.

[Twisterdog]

I agree that there are times in our lives that almost ALL of us have been less financially stable. I know I have spent a few years barely making it, that's for sure! And we do the best we can with the pets we have during those times, just like we do the best we can with our own healthcare, the food we can buy, etc.

And frankly, as much as we all hate to think about it, there is a financial limit for almost ALL of us ... what we can afford to pay for a pet's medical care. The limit is higher for some than others, but most of us do not have unlimited resources to put toward saving a pet, no matter how much we love them. We can work out payments with our vets, use credit cards, borrow money, sell things ... but sometimes, frankly, it's just not enough. I don't know many people who, faced with a ten thousand dollar vet bill, could pay it. That's a sad reality of life.

The thing that bothers me, though, is people who get new pets, knowing they can't afford it. I've not really seen it on here so much, I'm talking more about people I know in 'real life'. I have seen people who literally are getting their utilities turned off, who are in line at the food bank because they can't afford groceries ... and they go to animal control and get yet another dog or cat. They KNOW there is no possible way they can afford even the bare minimum in vet care, yet they get the animal anyway. Then I'll see them a while later, and the dog will have an ear infection, or the cat will have FIP, and they will say, "Well, we can't afford the vet! Do you know what they charge?!?" Why, yes, I do ... seven times over, as a matter of fact.

[Marigold2]

Just an FYI here in Ohio Petsmart does offer a low cost shot clinic every Sat or every other Sat, (please call them) where you can get your dog or cat all of it's shots for a fraction of the cost. I got my Boscoe a complete package for $39.00. It is a walk in type of deal.

[Miss Z]

The only thing I get upset about is someone who obvouisly cannot or does not provide even basic care, or whose previous animals die very frequently, and then they just pop up with more new ones right away. In those circumstances it's a bit unsettling to see new pets come in that, for one reason or anther, don't seem to last long.

I agree entirely. There is one heck of a difference between people like that and those who genuinely cannot have access to a vet. Most people on this board would try their heart and soul out to scrounge money to get treatment, deep down most of us know that. But as Seravieve said, sometimes seeking advice before leaping into a pit of worry about possible ailments is a sensible thing to do. Surely we would consult some sort of encyclopaedia or book to fit a diagnosis to our pets before taking them to the vets anyway, what's the difference in consulting PT?

Also, I sympathise with those younger members who have to launch into battle with their parents when they believe it is necessary for the pet in question to see the vet. I myself have done it many times before and sometimes I think my pets have suffered because of my parents' lack of compassion for animals. I realise I cannot blame them, but I know full well we have the money to pay for treatment, just my parents would rather spend it on other things. I would have, in a perfect world, walked the 5 miles or so myself to take the pet, but it would have been to no avail, as I am under 16 I am not legally an animal's owner. So what I'm getting at is that more often than not, the intent is there, just not always the possibility. And the passionate, strong intent is really what matters.