Money back from Cats Protection?

Nattenko

Hello all.

I'm Natalie and I have two lovely tortie cats that I got about 2 months ago from Cats Protection. I'm having a bit of an issue at the moment with CP and some money they are due me, just wondering if anyone else has had the same problem or can offer some advice? (Apologies in advance for the length of what's about to follow.)

I had to pay a £50 adoption fee each for my cats when I got them (which I thought was fair enough since they come neutered, microchipped and vaccinated and the money would then go back into helping CP.) However, the two cats I got had only had their first vaccinations when I collected them - the second one is usually administered 3-4 weeks after the first. The staff at the shelter were really nice - explaining the cats' personalities, likes, dislikes with food etc and had explained to me that the cats would need their second vaccinations in a few weeks and that the cost would be covered by CP because they usually send them out fully vaccinated.

I booked my cats in with the vet for their second vaccinations and explained they were CP cats but when it came to paying, the vet seemed confused about how to charge it. CP wouldnt normally pay for vaccinations - but this case is unusual because they would usually have had all their vaccinations before CP rehome them. I agreed to pay at the time, which amounted to £43.46 each, and said I would call back CP and find out how to claim it back.

When I called CP the lady confirmed that the vet should have invoiced CP for the vaccinations and they said that they woulod get in touch with the vet (they haven't.) I have called CP a few times since to chase up (it's now more than 4 weeks since I originally called them about this) and I keep being told 'someone will call you back' but this hasn't happened yet either.

It's posing a bit of a dilemma for me as I feel awful chasing up a charity for money, and it's probably extra help for them if they don't have to pay it. Of course I wouldnt have got the cats in the first place if I couldn't afford to look after them, pay for any treatment etc but I've effectively paid £93.46 each(!) for them and I feel like I've been tricked a little bit - that's still a lot of money to me. I'm starting to think it's probably lost forever.

Should I keep chasing or should I give up? I don't really know where to go from here...

Angelicdevil

Personally, I would give up!

Cats are expensive to look after, these won't be the last of the routine bills you'll be faced with and that's not even considering the cost of treatment should they fall ill or have an injury.

moggymutt

Not an ideal situation, but please bear in mind just how much you haver still had in return for your £50. Add up the cost of bloodtesting for Felv, worming, defleaing, and neutering,-depending on which part of the country you are in this could be would be £100-£150, as well as the first part of the vac.

Tricky situation, is it a small local group struggling for funds, or one of the large HQ run homing centres?

Tiddlywinks

Normally vets charge for the whole course of vaccinations don't they? Not just for each visit? Mine does anyway... you pay at the start and then the second visit if 'free'.

If that is the case, the charity might already have paid for the service and the vet may have been paid twice.

If not, then I wouldn't chase them for the money... just look at it as a donation and maybe write them a letter to explain that so that they can reclaim the tax element (if you're a taxpayer they can use Gift Aid).

krlyr

Alternatively, try another route and see if the vets will credit you and issue an invoice to CP?

teddysmum

Dog rescues, so I expect cat rescues too, are really struggling to keep up at the moment, so, perhaps, they will get round to replying when they have time.

meritaten

it may be that they have a monthly accounting session, you just missed the last one and the next one should see your request acted upon. Did you take the cats to the vets used by the charity? because you saying the vet didn't know who to invoice makes me think you didn't. of course if you did, then I am puzzled as to why the vet would charge you.

Nattenko

Thanks to everyone who has responded.

To cut a long story short they called me back last night and said that they only pay for the second vaccinations if the cats are still in their care at the time. Not the impression I got when we went to collect them and my partner said the same thing but after reading the advice on here, I've decided to just let it be. the lady that called me back was so lovely that I can't really begrudge them it - they do good work. I'm just glad I can stop thinking about it now.


Thanks to Moggymutt in particular for pointing out what a good deal rescue cats are - I would hate to put anyone off going that route as so many loving animals need a good home. I know some people are put off getting older cats but it's worth remembering that rescue shelters sometimes have kittens in too.

tea_lover

Glad it's sorted, even if it wasn't necessarily the ideal outcome for you!

Think of it as a Christmas present to the cats they're still looking after Your two have been v lucky finding a lovely home with you, and your extra contribution will hopefully help some of the others find their new homes too.

dirtmother

I can understand that it is frustrating when you are not expecting to have to pay for these.

I've just been stiffed (and frankly it feels like stiffed) for over £100 to 'restart' my existing cats vaccinations. The vet was not up for any kind of negotiation over this - one cat I was comfortable with doing this but not the other who had had his last booster more recently - and said that the protection runs out too promptly in cats didn't seem to see that it should be my informed decision whether or not to take that risk and, from our discussion about the date of the second injection he clearly thinks that things have to happen exactly on the dot. I'm not sure immune systems have clocks and calendars quite that precise. And there was none of the usual lovely warm patter I got from the vet practice where I used to live.

Anyway, this really put into perspective what a bargain the huge cheque I'd just written out to a rescue (not CP - CP would have been cheaper) for the new 3 who have been vaccinated (and yes, I was told that if they had come in recently enough not to have had them all then I would be paying for the follow-up dose), chipped, neutered, wormed (we were offered wormers for existing cats if needed) given temporary tags, donated blankets, initial insurance and a quantity of the food they had been on.

paddypaws101

Nattenko I am really glad that the issue has been cleared up and that you are happy with the result.
I am in the lucky position to be helping out a rescue by fostering 3 kittens right now, and I can confirm the £100's of pounds it costs to raise a healthy litter of kittens for which the rescue will be glad to get a £50 donation.
One thing is for sure.....whatever they have cost you will be repaid tenfold in love and cuddles over the years.