When you are poor and cant afford a doctor let alone a vet?

[jack7777777]

I see this constantly, " oh you should really take him to he vet " like money falls off trees . Your vet would rather see your pet die then loose a dollar in the parking lot. Vets, like doctors and dentist do not care about anyones or anythings well being beyond their own. Think about that before to pick up a stray off the street.

[AppleBr]

I do agree  with the girls above.
Do something is always better than do nothing about - and therefore is quite bad the feeling of not doing the best, you deep inside know when you do all possible for a cause.
Good vets only help good persons, that really need and deserve it- so you have to work hard as well...
Last December I was about to put a tiny kitten with fleas near my girls ( 2 of then without uptodated shots) having no idea about the way they will accept each other).
No way that angel would stay on the street.We finally find him a place to go, Im not happy cos it was not one from where I can get news and I still wonder about but I really tried.

[opus88]

good topic.....I can relate, I live on a fixed income and the Vet costs have risen to the point of ridiculous. I understand they too have expenses and huge student loans to repay as well. I understand all that. I also understand that if they made exceptions for one they'd be forever giving free services.

the clinic I take my boys too...also do work on pets for the humane society here and sometimes volunteer a needed surgery to save an animal...there are some out there that do CARE. They do spay and neuter programs for the society at a reduced rate.
A feral I knew of last year was continually having kittens, a friend caught her and I called my clinic and pleaded with the owner...who did do a half price spay...that I paid for.... than she was released again...at least now no more unwanted kittens.

there are also programs for a care card...for those with financial hardships..so they can repay over time, high interest rates of course, but an option.

I don't agree to NOT take a stray in just because of the costs, because a home with love is still much better than the street, but it sure hurts like heck to not be able to give medical care when you see the one you love suffering. thats why I always say I do understand, but TRY to call around and find a clinic that is willing to give you a break to at least make payments...or call a humane society, some do help...even if it does mean giving up the animal, better for the pet like annie said.

It hurts darn hard to not have the money and I know most will go without to see their animal cared for.... but I have little sympathy for those that can find the money to smoke or drink and not look after a little animal that needs the help. So I am on the fence, I can understand both sides and I can sympathize.

bless the Vet who collects the bottle money, what an excellent idea...and yes there are some out there that care very deeply.
Many of us here try to understand and to offer what little help we can. this isn't always possible.  

[AnnieBrooke]

If a person is in extremely dire financial straits, there are sometimes humane organizations that can help.  If worst comes to worst (and it has for many families where I live, with the housing crisis), giving a pet to a humane organization (a no-kill shelter of course) has been the option for some people.  Sad, I know.  But better for the pet than the alternative.

I disagree that a vet would rather see a pet die than lose a dollar in the parking lot.  Most vets I know do a lot of charity work and the vet I go to has a fund that he builds by getting people to bring in soda bottles, and it goes to helping animals whose owners can't.  It is not like drugs, anasthetic, supplies, rent and the salary of staff cost the vet nothing.