Comments on: Help for Low-Income Pets

By: Matt Flower

Matt Flower — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:56:43 +0000

I live in around the Traverse City Michigan area. The cost of the basic shots for the dogs is just way to much. For one that is on SSDI. When I was working I could work the Vets in & keep up with the shots. I have one dog that was left by my ex-wife. One dog that was to watch for two weeks for a so called friend. That was four years ago. Both dogs ened up here with me. They are add in the living care as part as the family. As they basic shots are due. I called the vets in our area. The shots are going to cost 108.00 for both dogs this month. Added in with the House & Auto insurance with the other bills to live. I have to step back & take a look at what bills need to be paid. The 108.00 can go another bill to keep the lights or gas on. I need a place to call home for Myself & the dogs. The dogs will have to wait, bills need to be paid. I have tried to make payment plans with these vets. Not one will set up a plan to pay. So, when I can fine a different way to pay a lower price or have help with their shots. It will be on hold. Hope that the Animal Control don’t step in I what to fine me for not having their shots & tags updated. It will end up as another bill that can’t be paid. Then another day in court explianing why I can’t pay for the vets bills. The Animal Control people will just say. If you can’t afford a pet then don’t have one. I didn’t plan to live on SSDI & alone in this house. Without the two dogs living here. I would go crazy not having someone to talk too. Mean time I will keep looking for some help out there for my friends that live with me. Hopefully all things will work out. If there is anyone that can point me in the right direction on information. Feel Free to help.

By: Maida Genser

Maida Genser — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:13:51 +0000

Even moderate income people are discriminated against. People who choose to live in association-run housing, especially lower-end housing of this type, inmost cases have no-pet deed restrictions. Our non-profit organization, Citizens FOR Pets in Condos is working to get companion animals accepted in condos and other types of association-run housing. We educate the public about the health benefits of having animal companions, the need to be responsible pet parents, and about how to make changes in your own community. Our motto: “creating a win-win situation for both people and pets.” http://www.petsincondos.org

By: Mad About Pets

Mad About Pets — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:22:03 +0000

What a great resource! I know we have spay/neuter clinics and immunization clinics for free here, but I’m not sure about other vet bills. I am going to check into that; I hope Wisconsin has something similar.

By: Trish

Trish — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:28:42 +0000

My roommate threw my 2 year old main coon out the back door. I could not stop him. It broke his femur in a severe fracture. I called the police and took him to emergency 24 hour vet immediately. The vet tried to set it and bandage it. But was pretty sure it would need surgery. This was 2 days ago. She has kept him over night to keep him comfortable and sedated him and reset the bone twice trying different bandages. I paid the 400 dollar bill for the emergency care and she has been kind enough to keep treating him with out charging me more. But it is going to require surgery. He is in severe pain even with medication. My heart is breaking cuz I have a choice of paying half the surgery and making payments on the rest OR moving me and my children out of this abusive situation. If I can not get the surgery to fix his leg the only humane thing to do is put him down. And for me and my children Tigger is our family. It will break all our hearts. I dont know what to do. 702-325-2965

By: Kim

Kim — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 02:53:26 +0000

Hi, I’m from Illinois and have been looking for information on vets for low income, I lost my Job last October and now my cat needs surgery for a mamory gland tumor which costs $300 at a local vet which at this time is hard to come up with. I have done some research myself by typing in low income vets and there are some listed according to zip code, you can also contact 1-800-321-Pets for an application for a discount on neutering and spading dogs and cats it runs $65 for female cats and $51 for male cats $90 for female dogs and sorry but I can remember the cost for male dogs. If you have a pit they have a website for pitpals that if its a pit bull or pit mix they do it for free. There is also the AVMAjournal.org this site helps to find local vets in your area that do hardship cases according to your income scale. I hope this helps because my animals are my family and I love them to death, I refuse to give up just because I fell into hard times and they don’t deserve it either. This website is great keep up the good work.
Thanks again and good luck!!!!

By: Olivia Sarbu

Olivia Sarbu — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:07:17 +0000

Can anybody help me?
I am in the exact same situation with my dog, Billy (chihuahua). I am very desperate and don’t know what to do. My dog got hit by a car so I took him to the emergency room where the doctor told me the diagnostic was hernia and they had to perform emergency surgery on him otherwise he would die. I paid $800 before the surgery and agreed to pay the remaining balance of $1700 after. They did the surgery and my dog is fine but they won’t release him to me unless I pay the full amount I owe to them. I asked the doctor if I can make payments but she didnt accept. I cant afford to pay this amount in such a short period of time and they want to put him in a shelter. The doctor told me she’s only gonna hold him for a couple more days and I am afraid they’re gonna put him to sleep at the shelter. Can anybody help me in any way? I LOVE my dog very much and I would do anything to save him. Thank you.

By: lucy karayan

lucy karayan — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:22:26 +0000

my cats love to eat, but imeging , if i wont give them food , what can hapen, it is time for open an organization for support animals… low income people who wants to an addapt pets, if be like that in the shelters no one can stay

By: Laura

Laura — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 02:23:06 +0000

Hell of a lot of “poor people” out there-hell of a lot of pets in shelters. Wasnt just “poor” people who put them there either. Like the one guy said-you dont always start out poor-and even if you do-so what? Some people are just plain full of themselves-oughta remember the one about “there but for the grace of GOD go I”.
thanks for posting things to HELP EVERYONE

By: Laura and family

Laura and family — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 22:08:22 +0000

Hi. I hope I can find some help on one of these. I have always been a “responsible” pet owner from the time I was able. I have “saved” pets from kill shelters and nonkill and donated money when I was unable to rescue. I always spay and neuter and get the shots-going to extreme expense in some cases of abandoned on the street animals my daughter brought home.
I have also made some mistakes that haunt me and her to this day. But never intentionally.
Anyway I am indigent now. I lost my job and am applying for SSDI which takes forever even though I put into the system for 30 years. I need surgery myself and so does my daughter-but no way can I afford it now. The company I worked for for 20 years relieved me and most of the other contributing employees of most of our 401k and stocks when they filed bankruptcy. I used what little I had to take care of our dogs last year. Now my wonderful city is threatening us with court fees and possibly taking our animals-who were rescued by us in the first place! They are inside dogs and have a back yard to run in.
It seems to be a habit with our city-maybe our country-that when someone honestly cant pay-we RAISE the amount owed. And threaten with more costs and possibly jail time-which of course simply costs taxpayers more. I do not understand this place. I have tried to do right-and donate to charities etc. when I had money-sure is hard to get any help now though. I paid for the 3 year rabies thank GOD. They arent a hazard to anyone else-but my city wants that money and is accusinig me of NOT being responsible. Its really sad. thanks for putting this out there.

By: Christine

Christine — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:42:12 +0000

I am so glad that you posted this story. No one really and truly thinks about the costs associated with owning pets. I’m glad there is help for low income individuals. But people really should consider their financial picture before making the decision to get a pet. Someone posted a very similar story in the forums section of our site “http://www.dogasaur.com”

By: pet supplies

pet supplies — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:24:42 +0000

A skilled predator, the cat is known to hunt over 1,000 species for food. It can be trained to obey simple commands. Individual cats have also been known to learn on their own to manipulate simple mechanisms, such as doorknobs and toilet handles. Cats use a variety of vocalizations and types of body language for communication, including meowing, purring, hissing, growling, squeaking, chirping, clicking, and grunting. Cats may be the most popular pet in the world, with over 600 million in homes all over the world. They are also bred and shown as registered pedigree pets. This hobby is known as the “cat fancy.”

By: pr

pr — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:39:18 +0000

rhode islanders please visit companionanimalfoundation.org

By: Jo

Jo — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 11:50:58 +0000

I live in Warwick RI and have been searching for 2 days now trying to find help for low income pet owners. My dog Cody has been lying on the floor for 3 days now. He started with limping one day and than the next day he just would not get up. He is eating and drinking but has to be carried outside. I know I need to get him to a vet and I have called all the local Vets and can not seem to find anyone who will help. Cody is suffering because I at this horrible time do not have the funds to get him the vet care he deperately needs. PLEASE, if anyone knows where I can go from here, let me know. I don’t know what to do and its not fair to let Cody suffer because I have no money. My email is JMC82690@yahoo.com Please please help..

By: Karen

Karen — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:00:03 +0000

Hi, just a thank you for taking the time to do all this research. I am disabled, and take sole care of my 85yr old mother whom is in poor health. I have two boxers and one is in need of medical funding. I always managed somehow on my low income, but taking on my mother for the last 5yrs, has made it extremely hard. Without my boxers, my heart would be totally empty. They are so full of UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, and they are ALL I have. My 85yr old Mum is precious to me, and I struggle to do all I can to take care of her and give her peace in her final years.
I just wish I could find a LITTLE help with my white boxer boy. He needs some surgery to remove a possible cancerous growth, and bloodwork. He is in training to be my service animal. Two years ago I lost my 9yr old white boxer to an inoperable tumor, He was my service animal. Sure made life much easier for me to walk.
Again, thank you for these leads.. I’d be more than grateful if you know of anyone in our area that can help. Sedona, Arizona.
God Bless you again for taking the time to put this page together.
K

By: Beagle Girl

Beagle Girl — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 23:07:02 +0000

The mortgage/housing crisis is not only hitting people…it is hitting pets as well! Pets are being abandoned in record numbers. Sad, but true.