Question for animal lovers

[OneGrassRoot]

I haven't given this a ton of thought nor researched it, so please forgive me if it's a "duh" post and there are obvious answers to my question.

I just saw that heart-wrenching Sarah MacLachlan/ASPCA video that rips my heart out every time.

I would love to be able to take in more rescues but don't want to be irresponsible. My reality is that I can't afford the initial costs and medical care and, heaven forbid they require unexpected medical care in the near future, there is no way I could afford it.

I've always felt it's irresponsible to adopt and not be able to afford them. Maybe it's irresponsible to consider it when one lives paycheck to paycheck to begin with. I just struggle within myself knowing that, while I DO have a roof over my head, I would love to provide a home to more fur-babies who need loving homes. Anything could happen to anyone at any moment to change our life situation. Fewer and fewer people have a true safety net these days, so more and more of these babies are indeed homeless.

The financial responsibility aspect of it stops me. My daughter would love to adopt a dog for the holidays as her one gift, but I'm, quite frankly, hesitant to let her know things are THAT tight.

Then I started thinking about people who do have the financial means to adopt but can't for one reason or another, but would love to essentially "sponsor" someone else adopting them.

And it's not limited to adopting. It includes helping people KEEP their pets. So many people are having to give up their beloved pets because they can't afford them or their life situation changes drastically to prevent it.

The sponsorship idea is an iffy idea at first glance, however, because there are a lot of "what ifs" -- what if the animal requires medical care down the road, even within the first year...how can someone sponsor that cost without an ongoing obligation? How does one ensure that unscrupulous people don't use it as a means of income when they're not really using it for the fur-babies?

Even if someone had some sort of gift arrangement with a vet clinic -- a gift card approach, I suppose, for prepaid services or something -- businesses go under so often that that seems risky to me.

If there was a way to have a prepaid account that was devoted to the pet's needs -- and could only be used for such expenses -- and which was accepted by various shelters and clinics, that seems like it would be a good way to go.

Doesn't it?

Do you know of such a service? I know carecredit.com is a credit card for dental and some health needs, and it includes participating veterinarians, but that has the potential for abuse; I'm sure the person sponsoring would want to feel certain the funds are used strictly for the pet, newly adopted or otherwise.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Thanks. :hi:

[Liberal_in_LA]

1. That Animal abuse commercial is heart breaking. in response to ur question - pet insurance

[OneGrassRoot]

22. I have such a negative attitude toward insurance nowadays...

seeing it all as a rip-off in some way, with their goal being to cover as little as possible of any expense. I have never had car insurance help, nor homeowner's. I haven't had health insurance in over a decade (not a choice).

Sorry, I'm so bah humbug about insurance, but I will check it out and see if it seems like a viable option, and will also call around to shelters to see if they have a sponsorship type of program like I'm envisioning, matching those with means to help financially with those who can physically take in the rescues, or helping people keep their existing pets.

Thanks. :)

[ehrnst]

2. Have you considered fostering?

Local shelters and rescues usually pay the vet costs for fosters - you could help save multiple pets that would be put down for lack of space in a shelter.

I know that it's hard to say goodbye when they're adopted, but I can tell you from experience that when I get an email with photos from an adopter of one of my former fosters, it is such a rewarding feeling that, for me, it just makes all of it worth it.

[OneGrassRoot]

5. There's no way I could foster. Not strong enough...

and admire those who can, and do, more than I can say.

[Remember Me]

12. In what way are you not strong enough?

Because that would answer a lot of your interests --

So many groups need interim homes for their rescue dogs. And if you fostered, but ran into serious difficulty, you could go back to the rescuing organization for back-up. I don't know a LOT about this, but I have a friend who is fostering a Boston terrier, I think it is, who has medical problems. She doesn't pay anything for its vet visits, meds, etc. I'm sure she does pay for the food tho.

Make some calls and inquire. That won't cost you a thing. :D

I love your idea about helping families keep their pets. That would be a wonderful charity to promote, or a wonderful service for an existing pet-related charity to add.

[OneGrassRoot]

13. I'm going to call local shelters to see if they have sponsor programs...

Maybe something will turn up. I never thought about this before.

As for the foster thing, it would rip my heart out repeatedly. I have to admit I'm weak in this regard. I've always had fur-babies, and whenever they pass on, it is absolutely gut-wrenching for my daughter and I. I can't imagine getting attached and -- even if they are well and moving on to a forever home as opposed to having passed away -- no longer having them in our lives.

Maybe when I get older I'll develop that ability; I don't know. But, as I said, I do admire people who foster so very, very much.

[Remember Me]

27. From my own experience, it can be different when you're fostering

and letting them go. Losing a pet you've had for years to death is very, very hard. I've only lost 1 that I cared about (my husband's cats didn't phase me so much), and we've got 3 aging dogs and an aging cat right now that will be hard for me to lose, when we do lose them .

But I rescued and rehomed a bunch of dogs and cats, and that was different. I felt I had to keep them separate from my dogs for a variety of reasons, and just always consideered them "temporary." I tried to train them a little so they'd be more adoptable, and spent a little time with them. Each of them still has a special place in my heart, no two ways about it, but it was a joy seeing them go to homes where I knew they'd be loved and cared for. It was a joy to get to know the different ones, and learn about different breeds through them -- what an education it was. I dearly wish I could afford to do it now.

That's another idea I had for you was to contact rescue organizations for the different breeds, esp. if you have a favorite breed. They are so often are in desperate need of help with fostering.

And if you're afraid of the emotional attachment and the grief of letting go, there are some wonderful flower essences that will fix you right up. Bach or Healing Herb's Star of Bethlehem is astonishingly good for grief. And Walnut helps to ease transitions and the need to let go. Star alone is simply great.

They would bring so much joy into your life for the time they're with you.

[blueamy66]

21. We thought long and hard about taking in my friend's 2 doxies

it's a very serious decision...I thought I wasn't strong enough either....but will make do

We're gonna do it and maybe have to give up a few extras to afford it....but it will be worth it.

[MADem]

8. Lots of shelters have that sort of arrangement, particularly for little dogs and

dogs that don't work/play well with others due to shyness, nervousness, etc.

Pet sitting for sick/elderly is also an option.

[TBF]

3. It's a good idea - not sure how you would do it (maybe you could incorporate

it into your site somehow)

Personally I donate to animal groups to help out, and I give to my local SNAP group (spay-neuter).

[notadmblnd]

4. There are foster programs out there and sometimes the organization

will contribute food and health care until the animal finds a new permanent home. Try looking under pets on craigslist.

[OneGrassRoot]

6. As I noted above, I must admit I'm not strong enough for that.

But thanks. :)

[Randypiper]

7. I love animals but can't give them a good home

They would be locked up alone all day.

[jwirr]

9. Just thought about a way to help that may apply. If you have friends

who would like to help but cannot take in a pet get them to sponsor the upfront costs of getting the animal. Maybe some group that would want to do this. Just a thought.

[SheilaT]

10. Good for you for being

realistic about your situation, and not adopting a pet you can't properly care for.

I really think you should look more closely at fostering. Rather than just say, "Oh, I couldn't do that," think instead about the incredible good you would do. Or maybe you could volunteer a couple of days a month at an animal shelter. They often need people to walk dogs, to help socialize cats, various things like that.

[OneGrassRoot]

11. Oh, I am all for that and have done so in the past...

I'm just trying to think of how to pair people like me -- who want to offer a permanent home -- with others who have the financial means yet aren't able to for some reason (too many pets already, incompatibility with existing pets, etc.). A win-win scenario as far as finding homes.

I'll come back to the thread in the morning and read everyone's advice again.

:hug:

[Mac1949]

14. Don't mean to get off topic, but here's an easy way to help...

Free Kibble. They have one page for dogs and another for cats, so you can help feed shelter animals with just a couple of daily clicks. I understand the Care2 site has similar arrangements. :hi:

[OneGrassRoot]

23. Most awesome. Thanks so much. :) n/t

[a la izquierda]

15. Volunteer.

Shelters are perpetually understaffed. You might also call around to local veterinarians and see if there are programs such as you describe.

[nadine_mn]

16. I heard awhile ago about a vet office

that had a list of people who wished to remain anonymous so if someone needed vet care but couldn't afford it, they had a resource to help with costs


I totally understand your feelings about foster - we could never do it either - letting go would be so hard!

[REP]

17. You can sponsor "unadoptable" animals and those waiting to be adopted

No-kill shelters, like the one in my link, house "unadoptable" cats - elderly, FIV+, those with hearing and/or vision impairments, etc - and take care of them until they're adopted or live out their natural lives. The sponsorship really benefits all the cats, but if you choose a special to sponsor, s/he gets her picture on the wall and an extra "good kitty!" petting.

http://www.rmfr-colorado.org/info/display?PageID=10166

Many shelters do this; I'm using this one as an example because I can vouch for them and they can always use extra help of any kind.

[REP]

18. You can sponsor "unadoptable" animals and those waiting to be adopted

No-kill shelters, like the one in my link, house "unadoptable" cats - elderly, FIV+, those with hearing and/or vision impairments, etc - and take care of them until they're adopted or live out their natural lives. The sponsorship really benefits all the cats, but if you choose a special to sponsor, s/he gets her picture on the wall and an extra "good kitty!" petting.

http://www.rmfr-colorado.org/info/display?PageID=10166

Many shelters do this; I'm using this one as an example because I can vouch for them and they can always use extra help of any kind.

[GoCubsGo]

19. Best Friends is another great organization for that sort of thing.

They have loads of unadoptable animals, such as feral cats. They also take in dogs that were sent their in lieu of euthanasia because they habitually attacked other animals or people. One can also sponsor animals that are adoptable, but require special people that haven't been found yet, as well as injured wildlife, horses and other farm animals. http://www.bestfriends.org/

[RebelOne]

25. I donate often to Best Friends.

They are a great organization.

[lunatica]

20. Pet insurance is very good

For $20 a month and a small deductible everything can be covered, even emergency and major surgery.

http://www.petinsurance.com/

[RebelOne]

26. I have had pet insurance.

And the cost all depends on the size and breed of dog. I paid over $70 a month for my Rottweiler. And it really helped in her last year. I was taking her back and forth to the vet at least once a week.

[roody]

24. I volunteer (mostly walk dogs) foster, and have some of my own.

Volunteering is a great way to get a dog or cat fix yet have no financial burdens. It makes me very happy to know that I have relieved an incarcerated animal's suffering. It keeps them adoptable.