pet care debt any advice would be appreciated

albacookie

traybro wrote: »

If anyone can tell me if it is normal of the practice to have billed me seperately for the rubber gloves and suturing (surplus to the operation) , that would be a great help!

The RCVS (vet regulator) like bills to be itemised so I'm guessing that's why these were listed separately.

Froglet

antw23uk wrote: »

You wont find an animal charity willing to take this one to be honest so unless you can negotiate with the vets your going to have to pay it off. Sorry if that sounds harsh.

I would be inclined to speak to the vets again, explain your situation and if you dont get any reduction in the bill go to your local news paper and local radio station for help.

Personally i would print posters and make a big board and sit outside the vets telling anyone and everyone walking past/ visiting just what rip off merchants they are. I would aslo make a Face Book page on them and get going with a name and shame campaign :T

I really don't think this is a good idea,in fact i am appalled at the suggestion.Putting them on face book could lead to a prosecution for libel.That is the last thing this kind lady needs!

Trying the sympathy angle,even the slighly "i was ignorant" approach would be far better.The vets did a great job in saving the cats life,and proving the costs involved were not spelt out at the time could be very difficult even if the Op wanted to go down that route.The cat needed immediate and expert attention,any delay in finding a charity willing to take on the costs,escpecially at that time of night,would have cost the poor little cat it's life.

i really hope you can get something sorted out,traybro.

DebiT

Go on OP email one or two local newspapers, tell them the story, and your situation and ask them if they could run it with a request for donations to be paid directly to the vet, (with any excess going to the local cat shelter), they could even print a pic of the cat, asking if anyone would like to adopt her.

Its a lovely human interest story, and I have read similar in my local newspapers very often. What have you got to lose? You should be proud of yourself, in this very selfish world you did a very kind thing.
Good luck.:)

*Robin*

Hi Traybro, was just wondering how you are getting on? Are you still looking after the cat? Hopefully she's recovering by now. And did you call your local paper to ask them to report the story?

RachyD_3

I was thinking about yesterday in the car. Hope you're getting somewhere and the cat's ok Traybro.

snowman2_2

antw23uk wrote: »

Personally i would print posters and make a big board and sit outside the vets telling anyone and everyone walking past/ visiting just what rip off merchants they are. I would aslo make a Face Book page on them and get going with a name and shame campaign :T

The vets didn't know the OP was struggling for money - they were trying to help someone who obviously cared a lot about an abandoned pet. The vets haven't been paid yet so effectively they have paid for the cats care so far, certainly not rip-off merchants.

As a general point, communication is the key, if money is an issue, talk to your vets, ask them what the cost is likely to be. The unexpected can always happen in medicine but good communication can keep everyone aware of costs.

To the OP, talk to the vets again, explain your situation and ask to be able to pay the bill off over several months. Technically, most vets are not able to make credit agreements but I would rather get something every month than nothing. This would give you more time to sort something out. I have a lot of respect for someone who pays off a regular amount each month, even if it takes a year. Just keep talking to your vet, don't ignore them as that is the most annoying thing and likely to lead them to be heavy handed. I will threaten court action to someone who ignores me but will work with someone who is honest and fair.