Small vent--why buy any animal if no money for a vet?

[valcash]

It is very sad, here is what I have learned over the years
- Didn't do any adequate meaningful research beforehand and now are not liking what they find out about the pet and the real needs of the pet
-Not familiar with the pet but uncle, a neighbor, the high school kid working at the pet store, or cousin's aunt's friend's postal worker's lawn service guy said they are an easy/friendly/fun pet or they saw one and wanted one "just like it" and their heart was set on the pet - regardless of anything anyone else tells them or anything else they read
-See the pet as disposable and replaceable and not a big deal, lose one then just get another, society supports this view
- Impulse bought a pet since it was there and immediately available/it was cute/kid wanted it/etc.
- Didn't anticipate people do in fact take reptiles to the vet and the amount of money and time this takes
- Wanted to watch a cute baby grow, saw a cute baby, but then it grows and they lose interest
- Bail once they discover it is too much work, don't want to take full care of the reptile, which does require full care including vitamins, supplements, live good food, proper cage size, good lights, hydration, fecals, etc. for its entire lifetime day after day, year after year
- Do not budget for a reptile and think they have no money when in reality their priorities are they would rather buy designer purses, eat out all the time, and/or go out partying/socializing than buying adequate feeders and bulbs and proper sized cages
- Decide it isn't "their" pet when the pet needs more than they are willing to give so they take no real responsibility for the pet, calling it their child's pet, or their husband/boyfriend's, wife/girlfriend's pet, or saying they are pregnant, don't have a car and can never leave the home for any reason, giving them a reason to not take full responsibility the pet living their home

Some people do indeed have enough money, do the research, and take proper care of their pets and then have a legitimate tragic situation. This seems to be the exception rather than the rule though.
I am personally in debt for animal medical bills. We had to put it on a cc due to both losing our jobs at the same time. It was a tough time and after trying to save the animal for months we lost the pet anyway. Right now I have 3 sick animals, 2 of which require a lot of care. It is hard emotionally some days. I will never own more than 2 animals after this due to the vast amount of resources a sick animal can need and most of all the emotional toll that takes when you love an animal so much and only want the best for them, not to mention the amount of money and time. Money is significant and requires me to make sacrifices all the time for the animals yet time is also a huge thing when you are trying your best to nurse a much loved pet back to health.

 

[Lauram63110]

I recently had a 55 gal aquarium for sale on Craigslist. A woman emailled wanting to know if I would donate it to her kid for his birthday since he just rehomed a lizard (read: got free from Craigslist). They really didnt want to pay for the aquarium since "money is tight" right now.

Is she kidding?! Sadly, no.

I emailed her back with a reduced price and let her know that I need money for it since money is tight for me too. I just upgraded Lizzy's viv and we've had a few vet bills for a tail injury that we are still fighting an infection in. I also let her know that reptiles are not "easy" pets, and detailed what she will need for lighting, heat and substrate since people never seem to see those things coming. If they cant afford a house for this poor creature, how will they pay for vet care, live food, UVB bulbs, and all the other things this creature will need? What the hell do they plant to feed it? Lettuce? Bugs from out in the yard?!? If you cant afford a cage for it, you certainly cannot afford it!!!! Never mind vet care. I was so mad when I finished the reply, but I offered to answer questions if she had them and referred her here. I feel so sorry for that poor lizard!

 

[Carnivorouszoo]

A cat is not easy, a hamster is, clean cage, put in food refresh water thats it. My cat is not easy. the beardie and the cat are on the same level of difficulty for me. But then my cat was abused and is special needs. . . I never go easy lol. :mrgreen:

 

[Mrkngpen]

What the hell do they plant to feed it? Lettuce? Bugs from out in the yard?!?

I just rescued a beardie from a family that did exactly this. Lettuce on occasion. Crickets that the kids could catch in the yard. But they take very poor care of all of their pets. I tried to teach them proper care but it just wasn't going to happen. I finally was able to talk them into giving him up to me last week. He is full grown but only 14" long and 180g. First vet visit today.

 

[Lauram63110]

She emailed me back and told me that they had it in and would continue to keep it in a large Rubbermaid container until they could find someone that would donate a better home for it (hey owner: here's a hint: BUY one!) Actually, though, a LARGE Rubbermaid container might not be all that bad a home for it, depending on it's size. She thankfuly got rid of the nasty sand that they had in the container (stinky), so I considered getting rid of sand to be a good step forward. She also said that they had the air conditioning off in the house so they wouldnt need any lights for it for awhile, since the house is warm. I purposely told her about the lizard requiring UVB for calcium absorption, and told her that she needed a basking light for heat, as in YOU NEED BOTH, but she knows better.

If you cant afford the vet, dont buy the pet!

 

[valcash]

If you cant afford the vet, dont buy the pet!

This should be your tag line in your siggie :mrgreen:

 

[Lauram63110]

No kidding! you think that lizard will ever see a vet? Me either, though I did give her the name of St Louis's premier herp vet, Dr Dan Wentz.

 

[Snowball0807]

I have to agree and slightly disagree with you here. I agree that it's wrong when people get irritated when you don't tell them what they want to hear, when they're the ones that ASKED the question.. And I know and agree pets of any kind are not disposable or replacable. If my beardie had parasites, MBD, etc. and needed a vet visit for something minor and fixable, then I would CERTAINLY take her to the vet. However, if I eneded up with a rescue, or otherwise VERY sick beardie who may die and/or needs LOTS of expensive vet care, I must say with current finances, I would give her to the vets office, or some reptile rescue who could give her the care she needs. I disagree that EVERYONE can pay vet bills. While most people can, and especially people who make the commitment of a pet, there are still people who can afford the upkeep, and even small vet bills, however not large ones.
Just my opinion :wink:

 

[McSkweeky]

I just acquired Doyle, who I know going into things was sick. I got him for 'free' from Craigslist and had a vet appointment set up for him before I even picked him up. I've already spent an entire week's pay just to figure out where he stands in his health. I wouldn't have felt right taking in an animal and then choosing to ignore his obvious horrible condition. I will gladly give up some of my luxuries so that my pets will be well cared for.

They don't get a choice - we do.

--Maggie

 

[Deemac6]

They don't get a choice - we do.

--Maggie

More people need to realize this.

 

[herpgirl2510]

I agree with an aove post. There are most certainly et bill that wuld be out of my reach. For example one of my parents friends paid $15,000 to treat her dog for cancer I could never do that. You have to do the best you can but there could be a time that something comes up that is simply out of your reach finance wise.

 

[Deemac6]

I think what people are trying to say here is people who don't take the time to research ahead of time, and look into things before they buy, the people who can't afford fecals or food, because they didn't look in to it and thought it was some cheap simple animal.

I realize people can't afford bills, and when I bought my dragon I was not informed of all the issues that might happen or that there was no vet around me. The same day I bought her was the same day I found this site and realize how screwed over I got and thats why I try to educate people and I realize its not everyone's mistake and that pet stores are a big player in what is happening. What bugs me is when you get people who can afford to have any pet, who buy them anyway because they can afford the initial cost but then they are broke after, that makes no sense to me. I knew Thil wasn't going to be cheap and I made sure I had money to afford food, but I find people save up for pets that cost 70 bucks or whatever, and have enough for the tank, get it and then figure out all this other stuff which they have no money for. Its like buying a 3000 dollar dog that leaves you so you have no money for yourself let alone the dog too.

My other problem is people who don't have money for the necessities who act like there is no issue and deny the problem instead of finding a way to fix it. A few months after I got Thil money got tight, I reduced myself to eating peanut butter sandwiches everyday and not doing anything else so I would have money for her food. If I couldn't do that, I would have found another home for Thil rather then have her suffer, I love her she is my baby and it would have hurt to give her up but I would have been happy knowing I made sure she was being taken care of rather then sitting infront of me starving and wasting away.

I also agree with if you can't afford one, you don't need two.

 

[danab]

Lets not forget all the Craigslist ads that say "great beginner reptile" "easy to care for" "getting rid of it because I got a dog" "I don't have the time to care for it". Then you look at the photos and their tanks and beardies are screaming Gah help me! So some poor sucker who is looking to get a deal on a cheap and easy to care for reptile+tank buys their beardie and has no idea that its sick or that the set-up they bought is inadequate because the beardie is "perfectly healthy". Nevermind the CL buyers have no idea of the cost to feed, replace bulbs and pay vet bills and I'm sure the sellers aren't giving them the info.

Thats why sites like this are so valuable! Everyone here is awesome! I would much rather have someone come here and admit that they were unaware of the costs and that they need help Vs. someone who just lets the beardie die or they go on Craiglist and pawn it off on someone else. Theres a stigmatism attached to people saying that they got an animal they can't afford or that their loss of a job has put them in dire straits (this might be why they get argumental sometimes). If they love them and come asking for help I do my best not to judge unless they use offensive language or are totally disrespectful.

 

[randommonks]

Everyone here is awesome! I would much rather have someone come here and admit that they were unaware of the costs and that they need help Vs. someone who just lets the beardie die or they go on Craiglist and pawn it off on someone else. Theres a stigmatism attached to people saying that they got an animal they can't afford or that their loss of a job has put them in dire straits (this might be why they get argumental sometimes). If they love them and come asking for help I do my best not to judge unless they use offensive language or are totally disrespectful.

I would agree with you totally that the people on this website try to keep judgement to a minimum, and use great restraint in their posts to people that are being stubborn. I've been part of other forums where someone will go and ask a question, and then totally get torn apart for something completely unrelated. Instead of getting advice, that poster ends up leaving the forum, probably too discouraged to continue keeping their animal and everyone on that forum congratulates themselves for getting rid of another "irresponsible pet owner", that probably would have been better off if the OP had gotten the advice that they were seeking. I enjoy how friendly people are to each other and new members on this website, and the lack of a "clique" or roving gang of Tom Brokaws (for any Family Guy fans out there) that think themselves better than people that just didn't know any better.

 

[coastergirl946]

I personally get infuriated when I see someone on here that has a sick or injured beardie, and say they have no money for a vet.
If you have a broken arm or a mouth infection, wouldn't you want to see a doctor and get medicine?
If it was your cat or dog, would it be more important than if it is "just a lizard?"

When you get a pet, regardless of what it is, you take responsibility for its life, and it is up to you to see that it lives a happy life without pain or fear. It is not fair to your pet to do otherwise.
Your pet cannot say "I'm hungry, please feed me" or "I don't feel so good, what is happening to me?" It is up to YOU to get them medical attention and give them the life they deserve. Your bearded dragon just wants to be loved and properly cared for. That is not too much to ask.

I understand that some people have unprecedented expenses and that these things happen, but there are just way too many posts on here saying "I don't have money for a vet", and I am glad that someone finally brought this to light.

As a result of this ongoing problem, I have decided not to get a beardie or any other pet until I have at least $500 saved back for vet bills just in case, because I refuse to be an irresponsible pet owner that just sits and watches as their pet is scared and in pain.