Money Moral Dilemma: Should we have to pay the vet bills?

JoannaS_3

I think the best solution would be to settle up with the inlaws and then have the dog adopted or take him to BDH etc.

Would be much better for the dog to go to a home where they can afford him as it's not fair to pass him round, he doesn't understand why he dpesn't live with you anymore so it's fairer all round to give him a stable and permanent home. Maybe the inlaws would like to keep him permanently? If not find someone who will!

kella34

Maybe you could ask them to check with you before taking the Dog to the Vets

sunny85

If you didn't want any responsibilities why didn't you leave it in some orphanage. It's normal to care after the dog. It's your after all. If the dog was in your home you would pay the bills. Actually I think you should negotiate with your parents in law whose is the dog. If it's their now they should pay.

elscint

The vet should put parents like that to sleep!!

Sooler

louisajonas wrote: »

If you are struggling financially

The OP states they are no longer struggling financially ... "in law are rather affluent and at the time we weren't"

undecisive

Wow. Blown out of proportion much?

Surely the issue is that the people looking after the dog, with the best will in the world, had no clue about what constitutes a vet-worthy illness. For some unknown reason, maybe panic or inexperience, they decided that it had a cough and so required the attention of a vet. No, after a certain age, if a child I'm looking after has a cold I would NOT take it to the doctors, that would be silly. No, it is not bad ownership to ask to be consulted before the dog is taken to the vet. And clearly the household's finances are not 100% stable as many aren't - doesn't make them awful parents for having a baby, or irresponsible pet owners for asking someone else to look after it, unless the finances were in really really bad shape with no viable plan for recovery.

It sounds like this situation has already been resolved, but the general advice should be after a couple of times, take stock. Yes, if you've agreed to pay for vets bills then pay for any vet trips that have already occurred, but be sensible and ask them to consult you before any further visits. If you decide that you're actually breaking even in this deal, or even at a loss, then take your dog back.

JoannaS_3

madron575 wrote: »

No they have no right in taking your dog to the Vets without your permission :mad: Sounds to me they don't like you much and this is their way at getting at you. Tell your mouse of a husband to have a word with his parents.

Too many assumptions being made here!! It's is probably a simple case of the inlaws just being thoughtless and a lack of communication going on! Calling someone's husband a mouse and saying the inlaws don't like her is just wrong though!!

pineapple

Even for an experienced dog owner, it can be a difficult judgment call as to whether and when to take the dog to the vets. Plus maybe they are just over anxious because they are looking after someone else's dog.
But how can it still be your dog if it is living somewhere else on a permanent basis? I'd like to know who is paying for the dog food... I think you have to make your mind up whose dog it is. Perhaps they would like to formally 'adopt' the dog in which case they become responsible for all costs. If that isn't feasible and if you can't keep the dog, then find a new home.

clare699

If your in laws are looking after the dog for you on a temporary basis, it's still your responsiblity and you pay. After all they are doing you a favour in caring for the dog. If it's been rehomed, they pay. How affluent they are is irrelevant.

If it's becoming a problem, you have several options:
1. talk to them about it
2. get some insurance
3. make alternatives arrangements for someone to look after the dog
4. look after the dog yourself

How would you feel though if the dog had been seriously ill and they did nothing becuase they were worried that you wouldn't approve or pay the bills?

jonven

Tell them to ask you if you think its necessary to take the dog to the vet instead of just going ahead and taking it. A lot of minor things can be dealt with yourself instead of going to the vets, who will charge you for the earth for the least problem. Otherwise let someone else have the dog to keep for themselves and they will then have any vet fees if the dog gets ill