what if you can't afford your pets?

Sagz_2

PasturesNew wrote: »

This is why I don't have/won't have pets. Any pet is a 12-15 year commitment of time, effort and cash. I've never felt that I could guarantee to keep that commitment, so I don't have a pet. The needs of the animal should come before your own needs to have something lovely and fluffy.... and you can often borrow a neighbour's pet for free.

I can see you point of view, but my life would not be as good as it is without my pets.

One of them is ill at the moment and is costing me around £350 a month to keep pain free. He's now used up all his savings but I've a credit card that I can use, and in reality he won't be with me for much longer. I hate being in debt, but my pets are worth it.

If I didn't have a credit card....... there would be a TV / Wii / Car I could sell.

paulwf

If my local cat sanctuary rehomes a cat with an existing medical condition they promise to cover the cost of the ongoing medicine. So, it isn't the case that an animal with a medical condition will never be rehomed. It is less likely but sanctuaries do do things to help.

I'm wondering if a sanctuary might actually be able to help if you spoke to them? They might be able to cover the cost of the treatment, especially as they presumably have a good rate with a local vet. This might work if you promised a donation to cover the cost when available. The alternative would be for the sanctuary to take in the animal and pay for the treatment anyway, end up with a stressed and depressed animal which is costing them money to shelter plus taking up room when they are already full, then trying to rehome it.

Fang_3

sarabe wrote: »

Although I no longer have the dogs concerned, at one time my will stated that in the event of my husband and I dying together two of the dogs were to join us and the rest would be rehomed with or by friends and family.

Would you do the same to your children?

lilibeth

Fang wrote: »

Of course. All it takes to find such organizations is a bit of intelligence, which is sadly lacking in many pet owners.

1. Farplace Animal Rescue Ltd is a registered charity (no 1126812) dedicated to animal rescue and rehabilitation (company no 4397258). Head office - Sidehead,Westgate, County Durham, DL13 1LE, Tel: 01388 517397, Website: https://www.farplace.org.uk


2. Forest Dog Rescue: If you have a dog that you would like FDR to take in Telephone 01299 825287 (ONLY BETWEEN 9AM AND 6PM) [EMAIL="homing@forestdogrescue.org.uk"] homing@forestdogrescue.org.uk[/EMAIL]

I'm sure that given the time and inclination that any decent pet owner in the situation that you describe would move heaven and earth to find an organization like the above, to help their pet. Wouldn't they?

Obviously you have been in this situation from the tone of your post, so why don't you post the details of the organization that you used? Or did you just kill the animal without really trying and attack me because to make yourself feel better?

I agree with you Fang
I think the cats protection league have a no kill policy also. Although I could be mistaken.
I know for a fact that there are at least three small organisations locally that have a no kill (unless the animal is suffering and can't be helped) policy. Which I won't be naming, one it identifies where I live and two. I think the manner in which you are being spoken to about this is extremely sarcastic and unnecessary.

Bubby
I hope they are able to get some help. Keep us posted.

lilibeth

Bubby wrote: »

the dog needs dental treatment which is apparently quite common for the breed but it costs a fortune and is NOT covered by insurance, if the dog doesn't have it then I assume the teeth will rot or fall out so it could become medical.

I normally keep PM's turned off so I don't know the etiquette. I hope it is OK I PM'd you.

Tropez

While it is highly unlikely I would ever be in such a situation were I in a position where I could no longer afford to care for my dogs then I would have to look for a way to rectify the problem. I would probably look at what I own that I don't use very often (e.g. television in the guest bedroom) and get some stuff up on ebay... if it was serious enough maybe I would sell my car and downgrade to a cheaper vehicle.

I could probably take out a loan or use my credit cards.

I would be very reluctant to put my dog into a dog's home but if I knew what my dog had was treatable and the only thing standing between her and good health was my financial situation then I would have to look at the local dog's trust or other such organisation who may be able to help her.

sarabe

Fang wrote: »

Would you do the same to your children?

No of course I wouldn't. What a silly thing to say. We are talking about dogs not children.

Would you rehome your children if you couldn't afford to keep them?

lilibeth

sarabe wrote: »

No of course I wouldn't. What a silly thing to say. We are talking about dogs not children.

Would you rehome your children if you couldn't afford to keep them?

If staying with you prevented their access to necessary medical intervention you wouldn't get a choice they would be removed by the state and as you put it 'rehomed'.

sarabe

lilibeth wrote: »

If staying with you prevented their access to necessary medical intervention you wouldn't get a choice they would be removed by the state and as you put it 'rehomed'.

and unfortunately the state does not look after our pets so sometimes death is not the worst thing that could happen to them. If it was we would have the same euthanasia laws for animals as we have for people.

Pee

My dog needed treatment which came to over £3,000. It was an infected womb and the first operation wasn't successful. I didn't have pet insurance - would have really struggled to pay it at the time and about 10 years ago you didn't hear so much about it.

I scraped the money together. The vets were quite good about how the payments were made and I borrowed a lot off my sister and on credit cards which I could pay back gradually, over a couple of years. Yes, it meant going without but my dog had several good years of life afterwards and brought me a lot of enjoyment.

It wasn't something I had thought about before it happened, or needed to think about when it did, but I suppose it is one of the reasons why I do not currently have a pet.

I have known two other dogs with ongoing medication where I have not felt they have had a very good quality of life and if I was faced with that decision, I might make a different choice.