£101.67?!?!?!?!

[ChristmasisRuined]

A year ago, DD's Hamster had to sadly be put to sleep. I agreed to let them 'handle' disposal of him due to DD's special needs. She certainly wouldn't have been able to cope with a little burial.
The cost of this, including 'disposal', came to £39 which I thought was reasonable.

Fast forward a year and DD's 1yr old Hamster (who really helped her grieve for the loss of her last little friend) has unfortunately had to be put to sleep this evening as she was really suffering. This was at a different Veterinary practice. They too asked if I'd like to take her home or have them dispose of her. As last time was a reasonable cost which included this, I just agreed to them disposing of her.

So imagine my surprise when I got to the counter after was presented with a bill for £101.27!?!

I paid and when I got home, I called to double check it was correct and yep! Same price for a Hamster as it is for a Cat! Apparently, £30 of it is for them to dispose of her. Now, had I been told this I would've taken her home and buried her myself without DD knowing, as I'm a disabled, widowed parent on a very low income (as I have no choice but to claim disability benefits now). At NO point did anyone tell me that disposal would cost £30 extra. Yes I should've asked but given the other, also independent Veterinary surgery charged just £39 TOTAL last year, I never imagined disposal could cost so much so it didn't seem relevant to ask. Surely if something costs extra, then the morally decent thing to do is to point it out?
Anyway, even without the £30 disposal fee, £71 to put a Hamster to sleep???

I then looked on the website of the Vets I used last year, and their price is now £42 inc disposal for all animals smaller than Rabbits.

Christmas is now pretty much ruined. Due to my circumstances and the COL crisis etc, like many people, I only had £150 budget for DD's presents and the food. Now £101.67 of it has gone when it could've been just £42 down had I used the other practice....

I'm up sh** creek now and could cry. DD is crying because she's lost her little friend and I'm nearly crying because of the cost of it!!

Should I complain? Or is this roughly what others have paid??

Thanks

Or there's one in better condition on FB marketplace in Leeds for the same price. Is Leeds near York?! X

If money is tight, your first question about ANY service you are offered, anywhere at all, should be "how much does it cost?"

Yep this! Sorry you had to pay so much but I doubt you’re going to get any money back

@LittleBearPad what is your problem. So bloody condescending and boring.

Thanks yes I thought about that but I didn't think it would cost so much. Plus I'd rather save those finite funds for people with dogs & cats who need £££££

Thanks though

On an other note, £100 to put your hamster out of its misery and cremate them is extortionate. They cost a bloody tenner to buy! Private vets, sickening.

I'd also like to add my concern of 2 hamsters having to be put down within a year of each other.

Have you tried vinted for the bowling alley OP?

FFS please read the OP properly and try again. I'm FULLY aware I should've asked. I also got a hamster wrote my husband was killed and I was almost killed and became disabled in a car accident. Prior to that I was on £69k per annum. Don't be use MN until you can manage not to be condescending

Thanks!

So even if you think she’s an idiot for not doing so, why do you have to be so shitty? Just to put the boot in further if she can’t buy her kid something special for Christmas

Vet fees ARE extortionate. I remember paying £36 for antibiotics for a bloody mouse, and still finding it dead the next morning 🙈
And I’ve spent over £800 on my dog, for an allergy, in the last couple of months (thank god I took out insurance)
But it DOES sound expensive for a hamster
I hope you manage to have a great Christmas anyway.

That’s horrible @ChristmasisRuined ! I would love a pet but they are just so expensive, I really can’t afford one.

Probably not helpful but I always try to use the saying ‘only worry about things you can control’. It’s happened, there is nothing you can do about it, figure out how to do a really great Christmas for you and your DD on very little money.

I always remember this thread from last year, which had loads of great ideas for a cheap Christmas.

www.mumsnet.com/talk/christmas/4404889-Skint-Christmas-for-three-children

Sorry, you have had a really rubbish year xx

Ffs some nasty, shitty comments on here!
So sorry this happened to you OP.
Ignore the shitty comments, some people have nothing better to do than be spiteful, nasty dicks.
Xxxxx

To the majority of people who have posted on this thread- read the whole bloody thing before adding your two pence!

So sorry OP for all you've been through, although it's not likely I hope you get some money back from the vets.

And I hope you and your DD can enjoy Xmas as much as possible.

@BloodAndFire wealthy people in good jobs have life insurance. And critical illness cover.

We DID through our employers and I am STILL waiting for payout. Piss off with the troll hunting. Reported

I'm appalled that an animal was allowed to suffer. Maybe no more small creatures as toys?

@NippyWoowoo Grow up. If you think I'm a troll, report me.

The first hamster was 4 years old. The second one was 11 months old and had cancer

You dear

I think what you've been charged was reasonable. I pay around £200 for a cat recently

READ THE POST!
It wasn't allowed to suffer hence the vet visit.

I used to work at an agricultural college. We had many ex vet nurses working with us on the teaching staff. From what I understand they wait till they have a batch of animals and then send them up to the crematorium. They keep them frozen until collection. They said quite often someone would want their pet back before cremation because they’d changed their mind or just wanted to see them again. It may well be possible your pet is still at the practice and you could get hammy back and avoid the cremation and transport costs- if they’ll refund you. Worth asking.

If you're on benefits then you'll be due £325-ish soon won't you?

Do hamsters live for 4 years? Are you sure? The worlds oldest hamster EVER was 4.5 ...

Sorry OP, I totally understand why you did what you did and these decisions just happen sometimes! I think your daughter is lucky to have you to be honest, I had a similar day money wise and I lost my entire Christmas budget and then some (£500 unexpected car bill!), so I know how you feel! I hope you manage to find a way to make Christmas special.

Hamster 3 for Christmas instead of the bowling thing?