PDSA Donations

greenmoneysaver_2

Just to focus the mind on why the staff may not look that chuffed when you don't have a donation

1) PDSA currently working (like alot of charities at the mo) on about 18 months - 2 years worth of money to fund treatment. Average donation £2, cost of your consult and drugs probably £50, not including staffing reception/phones etc.

2) no donation means more likely that member of staff will lose their job

3) the poshest people usually donate the least - please don't assume that because you didn't look chavvy it looks any better that you didn't donate.

So for all those using charities in the current economic climate, pay your bills and make decent donations as otherwise there will be no where to take your animals that you can afford.

Please don't attack me for this, but the staff you see usually don't have dogs of their own because they work for limited salary and can't afford one, so when faced with yet another non-payer it can be tough to keep smiling!

BeenieCat

I'm certain nobody would dream of attacking you for your post.

I didn't realise average donation was £2, but i guess this includes the regular donations people make rather than when receiving treatment? I was worried £20 was insulting as that's what i plan to give when i'm paid next week.

I guess my chav comment was more my own guilt/embarrassment for not donating today. I suppose you are right that posh people are the tightest, i've found that to be the case in most situations. I still don't think she needed to be like that at the dispensary, surely she'd know that i'd already been asked at reception, though i realise they need the donations.

greenmoneysaver_2

The £2 is what they get as donations for treatment, excluding anything made to the charity as a whole!

£20 would make you a top payer!

Don't feel guilty, just try to have something put away for times like this - the charities provide an amazing service that is often under appreciated. I don't think you are in this category, but in the UK we have no idea what drugs and treatments cost as we never pay for them. Therefore the prospect of 2 weeks of antibiotics having a cost price of £20 before any other charges can shock people!

welshmoneylover

£20 for consultation & antibiotics!!! That's cheap!!!

BeenieCat

Yes it is, i'm very grateful that the PDSA offer this service.

If i was in a position to be able to give regular donations to a charity it would be the PDSA.

welshmoneylover

I must admit I never give regularly to animal charities, I think it's the horror stories of the rspca that put me right off.

Perhaps I should start, I can only give small amounts say £5 a month but if we all did it then they'd be well off like the RSPCA!

I think I might start looking at local charities that need the money but how do you decide what is a good charity and a bad one?

DaisyNelson

greenmoneysaver wrote: »

Just to focus the mind on why the staff may not look that chuffed when you don't have a donation

1) PDSA currently working (like alot of charities at the mo) on about 18 months - 2 years worth of money to fund treatment. Average donation £2, cost of your consult and drugs probably £50, not including staffing reception/phones etc.

2) no donation means more likely that member of staff will lose their job

3) the poshest people usually donate the least - please don't assume that because you didn't look chavvy it looks any better that you didn't donate.

So for all those using charities in the current economic climate, pay your bills and make decent donations as otherwise there will be no where to take your animals that you can afford.

Please don't attack me for this, but the staff you see usually don't have dogs of their own because they work for limited salary and can't afford one, so when faced with yet another non-payer it can be tough to keep smiling!

There really isn't much that is fact in this post.
Average donations are low, but not as low as £2. If people could pay the going rate for treatment, they wouldn't need PDSA.
Staff are paid market rates for their jobs and whilst it may not be a fortune, it won't preclude them from owning a pet.
PDSA is a charity offering relief to who can not afford vet bills. Staff don't lose their jobs because people don't donate at the hospitals.
There are people who use the service fraudulently, but you can't generalise and say that peolples appearance determines how much or if they donate.
The likely reason for the dirty look may have been that staff are under pressure to ask for these donations ( called 'Direct Ask') and the staff member probably feels uncomfortable doing it.
OP, don't feel quilty about not donating this time. Give some money when you can or give your time or take something saleable to one of the shops.
Hope your dog is on the mend.

JOANNESAPHINE

I used to work at a PDSA scheme vets and I had 6 cats and 2 dogs - staff discount. I got paid minimum wage -ish money as did other receptionists and nurses. We were made to ask for donations which made me feel awkward knowing some couldn't afford them. Usually the poor little old ladies did give and some of the seemingly better off people didn't which didn't seem right. There was no threat of job loss for non-receipt of donations.

JOANNESAPHINE

By the way most people didn't give anything. Some regulars would always give a pound or two and a donation in note form was very rare!

greenmoneysaver_2

I am afraid things have changed for the charities. Staff ARE NOW told if bills aren't paid/donations not made the hospital is at risk.

Daisy, all of what I have put is fact, i.e donation amounts etc.