AIBU, crowd funding for vetinary treatment.

[Toddlerteaplease]

I will probably get flamed for this. Just wondering what people think in the rise of people starting campaigns to pay for their cat's cancer treatment etc. I saw one yesterday and the owner of the cat was all 'I can't loose her, I really need her etc etc. All about what she wanted. I probably wrongly put a comment on FB just asking if the owner was doing what was in the cat's best interests not her own. Got a very angry reply from said owner about the bond between her and the cat, how it was above and beyond that of normal animals and humans and we treat children with cancer. Etc. I know Snorgs recent illness has made me hyper sensitive about cats suffering. But my overwhelming feeling at the time was that I had to do what was right for her. And just because things can be treated doesn't mean they should. AIBU

[MajesticWhine]

YANBU. Why is her bond more special than other people's? We don't know age of said cat but it's going to die some day. What will she do then? I find it poor taste to ask people to pay as well.

[Sirzy]

Surely if the bond was that special she would have paid for pet insurance?

[Toddlerteaplease]

Majestic. My thoughts exactly. I love my girls more than anything but would never dream of suggesting my bond was anymore special than anyone else's. I once saw one where the cat had a problem with its eye and they were desperate to save its eye. Constant drops and trips to the vets would have been to much for my girls. I'd have had the eye removed.

[pinkmagic1]

I couldn't agree more Sirzy. Why should anyone pay for someone else's pets vetinary treatment? Like you say, if the animal was so special to them they would have insured it or made provisions for vets bills in another way.
If I want to donate money to animals, I will donate to a legitimate charity.

[Floralnomad]

IMO the only time crowd funding for vet treatment is acceptable is if it's a rescue place doing the crowd funding .

[Vinorosso74]

I agree with Floral and think it's acceptable for a rescue but not an individual for their own pet. They should have insurance or save a bit each month.

[RoseAndRose]

"Surely if the bond was that special she would have paid for pet insurance?"

This, with knobs on

[Toddlerteaplease]

Apparently it's her 'therapy animal' I thought all cats were therapy without having an official title. Mine certainly are!

[Toddlerteaplease]

And has helped her through difficult times. Does she have the monopoly on health problems and 'dark times?!!

[Floralnomad]

If it's a 'therapy' animal it must be unofficial , I've never heard of any organisations that hand out cats for helping you with anything ! We can all call our pets 'therapy' , my dog is what keeps me sane most days .

[Toddlerteaplease]

We once had a teenager who wanted to bring her pet hedgehog into hospital because it was her therapy pet. Err no!

[Allergictoironing]

Despite desperately wanting a cat/cats for years, I wouldn't get mine until I had a safe, secure job that I had passed my probation in so I knew I could afford the insurance for them. I (and all my family) would consider it extremely irresponsible to have any pet we couldn't be sure to afford vet treatment for.

And I could class my cats as therapy pets, my blood pressure has gone down since them owning me, and just the sight of them lifts my very fragile spirits.

[Fluffycloudland77]

It depends on the circumstances for me.

[Weedsnseeds1]

No, a part of responsible ownership is knowing when enough is enough. I have had to have one catput down after 20 years, others have died abruptly. Current cat is a once in a lifetime cat, but I will still make the decision when the time comes if necessary. He's insured and I would absolutely spend every penny I had if it was in his best interests, but he is my responsibility, not anyone else's.

[Toddlerteaplease]

Weeds. Absolutely. The first night Snorg was in hospital. The vet was telling me how poorly she was and said. "Come and see her in the morning, you know her best and if you think she's had enough, then that's ok" I was fully prepared to put her to sleep because it wasn't about me. Or the money. Fortunately I didn't have to make that terrible decision, but only because SHE had the will to live. I get very cross with the pathetic owners on supervet pleading with him to save their animals because they can't bare to loose them.

[ExitPursuedByJenniMurray]

I was only looking at my dog today and thinking that he has contributed more joy to my life than anything else (sorry DD).

In no way would I expect anyone else to pay for him.

Bloody chancers.

[Weedsnseeds1]

Yes, current cat is my sanity anchor. I drive home, or sit on a plane thinking about the purrs and cuddles when I get home. BUT, he's a cat, who adores me, and I am responsible for making sure he is fit and healthy, and if he isn't, for making sure he doesn't suffer, either through appropriate veterinary treatment or euthanasia.