Money and Treatment of Animals in Need
For so many of us, money is often a problem.
But we're animal lovers - and if you're here on TCS, you're most likely especially a cat-lover! And we're here... because a stray cat adopted us. Or a pet is having a problem that we think is behavior - but might turn out to be a health issue (like peeing problems!). Or we see ferals in our yard, or at work - or one of the many, many, many places they live. And we want to help them!!!!
Re: the strays and ferals...we start by feeding them - and we find ourselves wanting to do more. Or they turn up on our porch looking ill - or with wounds from a fight.
We usually don't want to take them to the Humane Society - too often they end up euthanized. The SPCA shelters frequently have those same policies. ...and the local no-kill animal shelters are full. Especially when we need them the most.
Don't overlook a local vet! OK - so they're not all James Herriot (author of All Things Bright and Beautiful and other books with tales of being a country vet) - but think about it a moment. Very few vets make a lot of money. To be a vet, you MUST love animals!!!
If you have a stray or a feral that needs medical attention and you can't afford it - please try calling your vet anyway! And if you don't have a pet and a regular vet, just grab your phonebook and start calling those around you. Odds on, you'll find a sympathetic vet willing to work with you.
Many vets will have a humane trap or crate that they will lend to you. They probably won't charge rent to use it - because it means you are using it to bring an animal to them!
Most vets want to help - but can't afford to practice for free. However - if we can't afford to pay for their services all at once, most vets, if discussed up front, will allow us to pay for their services over time, ESPECIALLY if we are trying to help an animal in need.
Strays and ferals MUST be seen by a vet before you allow them to interact with any pets. And the best thing anyone can do to help a feral is to get it to a vet and have it spayed or neutered and vaccinated - even if all we are going to do is release it back into the wild. This is a costly procedure, both for us and the vet!
Whether your bill is $85 for treatment for a wounded animal, or $200 for spaying and vaccinations... $85 paid over three months is just $28 a month, and $200 paid over six months is just $33 a month.
...and that goes for our pets too. So often we think one of our pets has a behavior problem... but these are often indications of health problems. And if we're in a bind financially, we may hold off taking a pet to the vet when it may be a serious or urgent problem. PLEASE consider calling a vet to discuss a payment plan. Our pets need us to take care of them properly - they can't do it on their own!
...so if you want to help or your pet really should see a vet, but you don't have the money, please give your vet or any local vet a chance before you write-off the possibility of assistance that requires payment.
Finding Assistance
Vets are the heart of animal care... and they frequently know the animal lovers of the community. If you have found an animal (or animals) in need - call your local vets to see if they know of anyone who can provide assistance. They won't provide the phone number to you - but they may be willing to contact that person on your behalf. OUR vet certainly knows who to call when someone has a cat in need! If someone doesn't have the time or ability (for whatever reason) to trap a stray or feral cat - they know who to turn to besides animal control. We've been able to help cats in distant communities - by using on-line yellow pages, calling local vets, and locating "the crazy cat lady" (or man!) of the community.
Vets are a wonderful, but often overlooked resource, and odds-on they want to figure out a way to help you help an animal in need.
As the old ads for the Yellow Pages used to say... let your fingers do the walking! It's worth a try.
For so many of us, money is often a problem.
Re: the strays and ferals...we start by feeding them - and we find ourselves wanting to do more. Or they turn up on our porch looking ill - or with wounds from a fight.
We usually don't want to take them to the Humane Society - too often they end up euthanized. The SPCA shelters frequently have those same policies. ...and the local no-kill animal shelters are full. Especially when we need them the most.
Don't overlook a local vet! OK - so they're not all James Herriot (author of All Things Bright and Beautiful and other books with tales of being a country vet) - but think about it a moment. Very few vets make a lot of money. To be a vet, you MUST love animals!!!
If you have a stray or a feral that needs medical attention and you can't afford it - please try calling your vet anyway! And if you don't have a pet and a regular vet, just grab your phonebook and start calling those around you. Odds on, you'll find a sympathetic vet willing to work with you.
Many vets will have a humane trap or crate that they will lend to you. They probably won't charge rent to use it - because it means you are using it to bring an animal to them!
Most vets want to help - but can't afford to practice for free. However - if we can't afford to pay for their services all at once, most vets, if discussed up front, will allow us to pay for their services over time, ESPECIALLY if we are trying to help an animal in need.
Strays and ferals MUST be seen by a vet before you allow them to interact with any pets. And the best thing anyone can do to help a feral is to get it to a vet and have it spayed or neutered and vaccinated - even if all we are going to do is release it back into the wild. This is a costly procedure, both for us and the vet!
Whether your bill is $85 for treatment for a wounded animal, or $200 for spaying and vaccinations... $85 paid over three months is just $28 a month, and $200 paid over six months is just $33 a month.
...and that goes for our pets too. So often we think one of our pets has a behavior problem... but these are often indications of health problems. And if we're in a bind financially, we may hold off taking a pet to the vet when it may be a serious or urgent problem. PLEASE consider calling a vet to discuss a payment plan. Our pets need us to take care of them properly - they can't do it on their own!
...so if you want to help or your pet really should see a vet, but you don't have the money, please give your vet or any local vet a chance before you write-off the possibility of assistance that requires payment.
Finding Assistance
Vets are the heart of animal care... and they frequently know the animal lovers of the community. If you have found an animal (or animals) in need - call your local vets to see if they know of anyone who can provide assistance. They won't provide the phone number to you - but they may be willing to contact that person on your behalf. OUR vet certainly knows who to call when someone has a cat in need! If someone doesn't have the time or ability (for whatever reason) to trap a stray or feral cat - they know who to turn to besides animal control. We've been able to help cats in distant communities - by using on-line yellow pages, calling local vets, and locating "the crazy cat lady" (or man!) of the community.
Vets are a wonderful, but often overlooked resource, and odds-on they want to figure out a way to help you help an animal in need.
As the old ads for the Yellow Pages used to say... let your fingers do the walking! It's worth a try.
