No money for loved pets, where is the balance?

[Karylee]

I just wanted some feedback and may be get something going here....I saw in this forum a few posts about pets needing medical attention and funds were scarce.........

I was discussing this with my basemate and he came up with a thought provoking statement.( to me anyways) Why is there more help and devotion and services for throw away , unloved or sick dogs than there is for the dearly loved animals that have owners that cannot afford to give them the medical attention they need?

I experienced this first hand when I've had to mortgage or tap into credit cards to take care of my animals...........I'm still paying on knee sx on my dog Frizby when he was 1.5 yrs old. He died of a heart attack at 9 last year. I am involved in dog rescue however I can be , but this made me think some. I have seen or heard of animals costing thousands of dollars to fix up, and taking months to find homes..........seen photos of terribly abused and sick dogs that would be better put down.............I have very mixed feelings aobut all this and would love to see all animals in a loving safe home, but it also tears me up to see animals that are lacking care or dumped because of money issues.......and it is against the law I think to NOT get care for a sick dog......I think.........the only financial aid I see is for homeless people and their pets..........kibble for thoughts or insight into programs that help.............

[Andrea Schneider]

Hi Karylee,

You have posted a very thought provoking discussion. I think a lot about raising money for people who have pups and are challenged financially. Also about homeless people with dogs. Creating a food campaign for homeless dogs on the street with their owners. It breaks my heart all the time.

I have looked into this a little and run up against how to manage applications for funds, how to determine who gets help or not. I would be very interested in talking about these issues and solutions with other people.

It's easy for me to see myself in a financially troubled place with Ellie needing medical help. It scares me and I bet we can all imagine how terrible that would be to face. It would be so great to have a small foundation to help and work with the Portland Vets to put together low-cost clinics.

Thanks for putting this up!

[Houseof16paws]

Your friend has a great point. It is so true..thousands will be spent fixing a dog up ( I am happy they do) but then what about the others like my client or me for that matter.
For example;
My Pug would not eat this morning, now he won't drink water. He is just laying here...I am waiting because I can't afford the high prices I "know" my vet is going tell me they want to do all these over the hill tests that I just can not afford. It kills me to sit here and wait, but I just don't have the funds right now. He, my Pug, did eat a little tonight but I have to make him drink water.
It sucks really....

[Karylee]

This would be something I may be interested in helping put together....at least research it.....

...my girlfriend had to turn her old ill dog into the humane society.(bad teeth and skin) ..they said they would try to get her better and put her up for adoption...I dont know how it ended as my friend was afraid to follow up..........I dont think that you can just dump an ill dog off there.....I dont know.....that's not the point tho.......there are those of us that need some kind of help when absolutely needed..........One of my vets (derm specialist) wouldnt budge on the $900 bill he gave me for an eval and tests......(Charge!!!!) when I humbled myself to ask for a discount. My other vet, Rose City Vet price matches meds from online Rxs so that helps a little. I went to shot clinics to save on those bills but it is still quite expensive when someone doesnt have it. Same with spay clinics......... It's hard to tell people they shouldnt have a pet (or kids for that matter) when they cant afford to take care of them.........like me.........but I sacrifice my needs for them......... I'll take them to a doc before I go.........etc.............guess I'm one of those crazy animal lovers....

Is there a resource list around for this kind of need? Sometimes discounts dont cut it...........$5 may be the same as $500 to some.........it's all relative...... sorry for the long winded reply..........

Andrea Schneider said:

Hi Karylee,

You have posted a very thought provoking discussion. I think a lot about raising money for people who have pups and are challenged financially. Also about homeless people with dogs. Creating a food campaign for homeless dogs on the street with their owners. It breaks my heart all the time.

I have looked into this a little and run up against how to manage applications for funds, how to determine who gets help or not. I would be very interested in talking about these issues and solutions with other people.

It's easy for me to see myself in a financially troubled place with Ellie needing medical help. It scares me and I bet we can all imagine how terrible that would be to face. It would be so great to have a small foundation to help and work with the Portland Vets to put together low-cost clinics.

Thanks for putting this up!

[Andrea Schneider]

This is an important and complicated subject, as well as very distressing. We should pursue this if it is compelling enough to people to spend some time exploring options.

I think it's compelling, but others would have to see it that way as well.

[Karylee]

I agree..........Let's see what comes up........Have a wonderful weekend.....it's too damn hot for me .

Andrea Schneider said:

This is an important and complicated subject, as well as very distressing. We should pursue this if it is compelling enough to people to spend some time exploring options.

I think it's compelling, but others would have to see it that way as well.

[Sara]

I agree whole heartedly. I put off my boys vaccines this month because of unexpected car costs. Being unemployed makes it that much harder. I was forced to allow my cat to be euthanized when he got FLUTD for the second time the last time I was unemployed a few years ago. Vet clinics demand payment at the time of services and won't take payments. I don't think I could handle it again if I was basically forced to let one or both of my boys die.

[Carrie]

I encounter this a lot doing dog rescue. I would prefer to have our rescue resources go toward keeping the dog & owner together, especially in this tough economy. I think more resources should be allocated to keeping families together, as well as helping the dogs who need to be rescued. It's a matter of getting organized & the "ear" of the folks in charge of the rescue organizations, as well as local vets. I have been able to talk a couple of helpful vets here in Idaho into assisting folks who want to keep their dogs but might not be able to afford routine or emergency care. Perhaps someone could coordinate with Oregon Dog Rescue & the local vets to allocate funds for families who need to have vet care for their furry family members but might not be able to afford it due to the economy, or being down on their luck. A "board" of representatives, such as a vet staff member, a rescue coordinator, and someone whose been on the receiving end of helpful funds could oversee who receives the allocation of funds. Most rescue organizations have a Financial Advisor to help them with their nonprofit status. They could help set up a trust fund of sorts for this kind of project. And, when folks get on their feet, hopefully, they will pay it forward & help someone else when they are in need. A nice circle of hope. Just a suggestion. :) Hope it is helpful.

[Meg Wilkinson]

Over the years, this has been a constant worry, I have to admit. Fortunately, I have had vets that were willing to allow me to pay over time. I think the biggest reason most do not is that they have been bitten way to often. (For an excellent post explaining a Vet's point of view read Patty Khuly's Dolittler: http://www.dolittler.com/2009/07/03/Biting-the-hand-that-brings-vet... )

There are a number of funds that were established to help with vet bills (not that more aren't needed). The first one I thought of was In Memory of Magic, a fund established 9 years ago to honor a little black cat, Magic. There is also the Velvet Fund at Dove Lewis, although that is limited to emergency care at DL. I did find a listing of sites on the Oregon Veterinary Associations page: http://www.oregonvma.org/petowners/payforcare.asp

[Karylee]

Thanks to the above posts. I will do some more searching. I would love to have some more feedback on this issue.

Meg Wilkinson said:

Over the years, this has been a constant worry, I have to admit. Fortunately, I have had vets that were willing to allow me to pay over time. I think the biggest reason most do not is that they have been bitten way to often. (For an excellent post explaining a Vet's point of view read Patty Khuly's Dolittler: http://www.dolittler.com/2009/07/03/Biting-the-hand-that-brings-vet... )

There are a number of funds that were established to help with vet bills (not that more aren't needed). The first one I thought of was In Memory of Magic, a fund established 9 years ago to honor a little black cat, Magic. There is also the Velvet Fund at Dove Lewis, although that is limited to emergency care at DL. I did find a listing of sites on the Oregon Veterinary Associations page: http://www.oregonvma.org/petowners/payforcare.asp

[Andrea Schneider]

I feel there is a void for this type of help. This economy is bringing important issues to the surface and challenging us to think of new solutions. I'm thinking...

[Marley, Sushi and their Mama]

Yes, this is a HUGE issue!

It would be so helpful if vets would accept a payment plan instead of requiring full payment at the time of service. Also, a community fund that could be tapped for vet emergencies would be so helpful to many pet owners. I do agree that it would be tough to figure out how much each applicant would receive, etc.

We ADORE our dogs and put their medical needs ahead of our own. Sometimes, however, the money just isn't available for top-notch and constant vet visits. We've had to skimp a lot this year with the 'economic downturn' and issues with income and it makes us feel like we are failing our pets! Don't get me wrong, they have it pretty darn good BUT, for example, our Chi desperately needs her teeth cleaned and we've had to put it off (which doesn't help the problem at all)... we're shopping around for the cheapest possible "teeth cleaning" service and saving up our money so we can get the problem taken care of. It's such a struggle.

Karylee, I'm glad you brought this subject up on pdxdog. How do we strike a balance with LOVING dogs dearly no matter what our financial situation is ... AND ... truly being able to give them the best care/life possible...

[Andrea Schneider]

Karylee,
You are on to something here. Thanks so much for posting this on pdxdog™com. This may be worth having a meeting over...thoughts?