SOA and pets - advice needed please

purpledaisies

My partner and I will be going bankrupt in a few months and in the meantime I'm trying to do as much research as I can and make sure we're prepared.

I am very worried about what will happen to our pets having read various expenditure guidelines that suggest an SOA maximum of £30-35. I have two elderly cats whose insurance costs me £29 a month, and a dog whose insurance is £18 per month. On top of this there are of course food costs, flea/worming treatments, annual vaccinations and most importantly of all ongoing bills for my dog's treatment for a longterm health condition (approx £25 to £30 a month). I spend over £100 a month on my animals, plus occasional additional costs for my dog whose insurance policy requires me to pay 10% of vet bills.

Could the OR force me to rehome them?

Woody76

Hi

I put down pet expenses on my soa but only £30. The Or makes the end decision but discuss it with them as differing ors give will agree differing amounts. £100 is alot but I see why it is that amount they cant force you to rehome I dont thinkl but can make you find the extra income from other exenditure ie from household expenses. Obviously put down a reealistic amount for housekeeping such as food but if you can reduce that by any amount that may be allowed to go towards the pets. Hope you can resolve this as I know how attactched I am to my cats let us know. Im sure someone more experienced will be along to advise you better

Woody x

purpledaisies

Thank you very much for your reply Woody. I'm so worried about everything right now, but my pets are top of the list. I think we'll have to hope that we get a sympathetic OR, but I'm not at all sure how it works - do I put all the figures that reflect the reality of their costs into the SOA? Or do I just ask for £30/35 and then hope I can cover the rest out of my housekeeping money?

I don't think I can make any savings for their costs really as it would be crazy to cancel insurance policies and then face huge bills if/when illness strikes. My dog is on expensive treatment, over £200 a month, of which I only pay 10% so her insurance policy is essential.

luvchocolate

Hi put down what you spend and take it from there, you might get lucky!!. good luck x

purpledaisies

Thank you luvchocolate We will just have to hope for the best. I'll post my first draft SOA nearer the time on here and see what people think.

luvchocolate

from my experience always be honest or else you get legged up!! they will see you as you are, keep in touch x

HappyMJ

purpledaisies wrote: »

My partner and I will be going bankrupt in a few months and in the meantime I'm trying to do as much research as I can and make sure we're prepared.

I am very worried about what will happen to our pets having read various expenditure guidelines that suggest an SOA maximum of £30-35. I have two elderly cats whose insurance costs me £29 a month, and a dog whose insurance is £18 per month. On top of this there are of course food costs, flea/worming treatments, annual vaccinations and most importantly of all ongoing bills for my dog's treatment for a longterm health condition (approx £25 to £30 a month). I spend over £100 a month on my animals, plus occasional additional costs for my dog whose insurance policy requires me to pay 10% of vet bills.

Could the OR force me to rehome them?

The OR will NOT force you to rehome them.

The OR may limit your expenses to £35 and you will have to find the rest from housekeeping.

purpledaisies

Thanks luvchocolate, will do.

Thank you HappyMJ It's a big relief to hear they can't make us rehome the creatures, I'd be devastated to lose any of them.

Woody76

as said above put actual figures on soa and then can "haggle" with OR or they will tell you what is allowed and also make sure you put down emergency fund and holiday fund ect so may be able to use these to make cost up e.g can save for small holiday (I think its about £20 monthly) but do not have to use this for holiday if that makes sense. But as others have said the OR will appreciate honesty and hopefully deal with you fairly because of that. If they realise you are fibbing they can make things difficult for you

Good luck though

Woody x

rossireps

if my examiner had said the cat had to go i would have literally killed her!
tigger costs about £25 a month to keep but is priceless to me and got me through my divorce .

purpledaisies

Thanks Woody, I will just put everything in as it is and hope we can agree acceptable figures. All I want is not to have to panic all the time that I can't pay their normal vet and living costs.

rossireps that's how I'd feel too. They mean the world to me.