Laid Off, Broke, and Now the Dog is Sick

[SoDesuKa]

What happens to sick animals when people can't afford to pay a veterinarian to care for them? With so many people out of work these days, are house pets being euthanized more often?

Where I live, it hapens that there's a veterinarian who accepts only what people can afford. He keeps that secret, because he has to. Out of gratitude, people pay more than they have to once they've got money. But this is an unusual individual.

Beyond just sick animals, are more healthy animals going to the shelter as unwanted? That would be one index of bad times. People don't want to buy dog food, so they get rid of the dog.

[liberalmuse]

1. I don't know...

but it breaks my heart just to think of it.

[panader0]

2. I'm laid off, broke and I'M sick

I alomost took home a puppy today, but worry I can't afford to keep it.

[PearliePoo2]

12. Take home a puppy only if you can love, feed and care for her forever..........

That said....the Border Collie puppy I adopted 8 years ago, I still hold in my arms tonight.
Her muzzle is turning grey (so is mine), but her eyes are bright, clear and full of love.
When I stroke her soft fuzzy ears and smell her "puppy breath", time stands still....

:)

[Booster]

13. Damn, you made me well up. Border Collie's are the best.

[PearliePoo2]

18. Yes..........I agree..........her name is Pearl.

I call her Pearlie or PearliePoo as a name of endearment.
I am secondary, so I am PearliePoo2.
I wish I knew how to post her picture here. :shrug:
She is beautiful.

[Tunkamerica]

3. According to NPR last week the answer is yes.

Some shelters are doing 2 for 1 adoptions.

[Lebam in LA]

4. It is a very sad state of affairs

I am still employed but struggling. My guy, Mickey is epileptic and the cost of his meds have gone from $20 monthly to $70 monthly since I adopted him in April. It breaks my heart to think I may have to find him another mom because he needs more than I can give him.

[tridim]

10. I have an epileptic dog too, I know how hard it is.

Hang in there.

[Lebam in LA]

24. Thank you

He is such a sweetheart. Has the medication added weight to your sweetie?

[tridim]

28. It certainly makes her hungrier, and I tend to oblige.

So I'm not sure if it's the medication or me.

[Lebam in LA]

30. Me Too

I am a pushover and he knows it. He has learned "the look" in a very short period of time. Thanks for the input and I wish you all the best with your little girl.

[Mari333]

5. My friend here in town is a reporter

she just did a story on our humane society here,and they told her that due to foreclosure, the amount of animals brought into the shelter has doubled this year. They also told her that many of the pets had been in homes with families and were now confused.
When I heard that my heart broke.
I dont care, if I lost my house my dog, cats, parrot would all live in the car with me. They are my family.I would go without food before them.

[SammyWinstonJack]

29. My absolute WORST fear is that we become homeless and have to give our furkids up.

I can't stand the thought of that. My babies wouldn't survive with me, nor I, without them. :cry:


I'm like you, I would live in my car, in a tent, go without food before I sent them away.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

6. I've seen several articles confirming that, I have 7 dogs in the house right now.

2 of which have terminal diseases and 2 that have to eat very expensive food.

David

[Mari333]

8. thats so wonderful!!!!! n/t

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

9. I'll assume you are talking about my 7 babies, they are quite a joy.

[tkmorris]

15. That's an awesome thing you are doing

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

17. Thanks, I live in the world's only 1400 sq ft dog house.

All but one are rescues. The two that are terminal are permanent foster dogs from a local rescue. I appreciate the support but in all honesty we have the means so I don't deserve much credit.

David

[justabob]

7. yes lots of pets going to shelters

Our local humane society(no kill shelter) recently had to start refusing animals because donations/adoptions are down and there are just too many animals being turned in. Fortunately they have raised enough money to start taking animals again, but it is very difficult.

[K Gardner]

11. I work with a volunteer dog rescue group.. its getting very, very bad. I'd starve before I'd

let a dog go hungry.

[flvegan]

14. Oftentimes, the vet will call a rescue like mine.

We've taken in a LOT of animals that folks couldn't afford to put back together. The vet does the surgery or whatever after the folks sign the dog over. They charge us the lowest they can (they make that same offer to the owners, too, we're not special) in hopes we'll rehab the animal and find him/her a new home. Vets can be some of the most wonderful people.

And don't tell anyone this, but...we've been known to "adopt" that animal back to his/her family if it's best for the dog/people. It's the right thing to do all around. But shhhhhhhh, please, keep that under your hat.

[DoctorMyEyes]

23. I've always wondered about that

It's good to know that some of these animals make their way back to the families that loved them and truly couldn't afford an expensive procedure. I can see too why you wouldn't want to advertise it - you don't want people conning you into taking care of their vet bills - but it's heartbreaking to think of someone having to give up their beloved pet to save it's life.

[FarCenter]

16. Euthanasia goes up before the holidays

People are traveling, having guests come to their houses, etc.

So they decide to have old or sick animals put to sleep.

[MasonJar]

19. Foreclosures are increasing the number of animals abandoned and sent

to shelters. Man is an evil member of the animal world. Would other creatures treat us so cavalierily were the roles reversed? I doubt it.

[FarCenter]

20. The herbivores would mostly ignore us

To the carnivores, we are a tasty treat.

[MiniMe]

21. They go to rescues and shelters

The rescue I volunteer just told us that the #1 reason that people are giving now for giving a dog up is not being able to afford it anymore. They are laid off, unemployed, whatever, they are being foreclosed on or kicked out of their apartment, and they want to do right by their pets. They said that is the #1 reason for giving a dog up at the shelters too.

[babylonsister]

22. Here's a nice story about people helping other people and their pets,

but I've also read on DU about people having to give up their pets.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=4639566

[Liberal_in_LA]

27. Great story! Thanks.

[Neshanic]

25. What happens? In Scottsdale they die. No money no treatment.

The most disgusting group of people assembled on the planet. The whole place reeks of vets thatwillnot even part with a single pill for a dog without cash. Even when it's just for 24 hours.

[a la izquierda]

26. My vet is awesome. He truly does heal pet and

owner. He lets us pay what we can, knowing that we will eventually pay him back. This was more of a problem a few years ago, when we got dinged with back to back to back doggie problems. Instead of charging us hospitalization, for instance, he charged us for boarding, saving us $45 a day, which adds up. But now that one of our dogs is old, he's really good about working with us. We'd rather forgo food for ourselves than give up our dogs or neglect their care...luckily it's never come to that.

If any of you are having problems paying vet bills, check around on the internet. My husband just told me about this organization in Oklahoma called the Bella Foundation. They work with low-income families who find strays that need medical attention. If the family wants to either keep the dog, or nurse it back to health and find it a good home, the foundation and a vet will get the bills paid. Then, the family simply has to volunteer some of their time at an animal shelter, or at the organization. My husband works at a dog daycare and boarding facility (tomorrow he gets to be Santa for the day, with all proceeds going to this foundation). Part of the mantra of the company he works for is giving back to the dog and cat community with events that support less fortunate animals.

[rucky]

31. That's the makings of a country song, right there.

You see alot of abandoned pets from people in that situation.