fundraising for ill pet: WDMM think?

[LoveTrains]

pandce.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=pets&action=display&thread=15215

Thoughts?
I agree with kellbell. I just really can't imagine posting a chipin when my Corky had $5K+ of med expenses with his bladder stones, and then again when he had surgery for his cancerous tumors - twice.

Suck it up and get a care credit card.

[audette]

While I find it really wacky to ask random strangers for monetary help with a pet, there is more to this story than what she posted on Pets, including a few reasons why Care Credit might not work for her situation. She's in a rough spot, and reaching out for whatever help she can find.

[hannamarin]

I agree that it is odd to ask strangers, but kellbell shouldnt have said anything. You dont know the situation. Maybe she just lost her job, her H died, etc.
You dont have to give but she is allowed to ask if she wants. And the whole "you made a commitment" thing is like telling people that declared bankruptcy because they lost their job that they owe the bank that money.
She is trying.

[heyrebekah]

I guess it is fine for them to do whatever they feel they need to do, but that's not something I would ever donate to.

[jigsy]

If I was a reg...maybe I guess. But I don't think I would go to another board to look for donations...of course, I wouldn't look for donations even from my reg board since I'd put it on a cc if I had to.

[moonfrogx]

People can ask for whatever donations they please - you don't have to donate to it.

[Deleted]

If one of your dogs needed surgery, LoveTrains, I would certaintly pony up some green if you were desperate, but not for a total stranger.

[WOT?*]

Strangers donated over $250K to a disabled soldier. People put change in jars at stores and restaurants for sick kids and people with cancer and other people they don't know. She's just doing what many others have done, only it's for her dog.

[chessie]

Jun 6, 2012 11:04:10 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

pandce.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=pets&action=display&thread=15215

Thoughts?
I agree with kellbell. I just really can't imagine posting a chipin when my Corky had $5K+ of med expenses with his bladder stones, and then again when he had surgery for his cancerous tumors - twice.

Suck it up and get a care credit card.

As someone that has paid for many of my animals illnesses surgeries-and thankful I have insurance NOW..if you can't afford these things yourself then you should not own an animal. Pets are luxuries.

I agree- get a care card or figure something else..its just not something I would ask others to chip in.

[WOT?*]

It sounds like she's having a miserable time of it. The other link references the fact that she's separated from her stbx but not divorced and he's not been forthcoming with money so she's struggling, her dog was attacked so this is a one-off incident and he's having complications, she's approved for care credit but not sure if she can pay it off in the twelve months allotted, trying to contact as many groups as possible for help, she can't (or won't) go to the owners of the dog that attacked hers because they have done some pretty significant favors for her (care for her dog, took her in for four months rent-free, etc.) and overall just having a shitty time trying to save her dog when she's having a rough time while everything else has been falling down around her.

I feel bad for her and don't blame her a bit for doing everything she can to save the one thing she has left.

[benitabutrell]

Yeah, they need to suck it up like the rest of us. I owe Care Credit $5 still from vetting last October. My dog still died.

[WOT?*]

Jun 6, 2012 12:28:46 GMT -5 c7 said:

Jun 6, 2012 12:26:35 GMT -5 @jimbooo said:

Well... I just looked and she was still at zero. My initial thought is posting that is in bad taste, but honestly, if it was my daughter in a similar situation and her care could be compromised if I didn't get more money, I would resort to anything, even selling a kidney.

Few would object as loudly as they have if it was your daughter.

OP is fundraising for her dog. There's a difference.

Not for some people. Especially if it's the only companion they have at home after a long day at work and having to deal with legal messes and not-quite-ex-husbands.

[audette]

Jun 6, 2012 12:39:27 GMT -5 c7 said:

Jun 6, 2012 12:32:30 GMT -5 WOT?* said:

Not for some people. Especially if it's the only companion they have at home after a long day at work and having to deal with legal messes and not-quite-ex-husbands.

I know some people treat their pets as their own flesh and blood. Those people would go to extreme measures (e.g., sell a kidney) to save them. I don't think the majority of people are like that.

I am speaking as a pet-less person, so take it as you will.

I'm a petless person, too. And yes, I do see a request to help with the care of a child vs. the care of a pet differently.

However, it's a fairly simple request, and I doubt she expects to get much (if anything from it), but she is basically in a situation where even a few bucks would help. No one is forced to donate, or even pay attention to the request.

I think it might have seen a better response if she had posted on her regular board and not on Pets, because as others have mentioned, "knowing" someone can make a difference if someone were deciding to donate. However, I would guess that the folks on Pets are fairly pet-friendly, and this might by why she chose to post there.

[LoveTrains]

Jun 6, 2012 12:28:46 GMT -5 c7 said:

Jun 6, 2012 12:26:35 GMT -5 @jimbooo said:

Well... I just looked and she was still at zero. My initial thought is posting that is in bad taste, but honestly, if it was my daughter in a similar situation and her care could be compromised if I didn't get more money, I would resort to anything, even selling a kidney.

Few would object as loudly as they have if it was your daughter.

OP is fundraising for her dog. There's a difference.

Uh oh, don't make me go all dog crazy on you. I would object if it was her daughter, too, just because it seems weird to post it on a board where you lurk and not your "home" board.

It's not a dog vs. person issue to me.

[LoveTrains]

Yeah I guess I thought it was strange that she posted it on pets when she doens't actually post on pets. That was why it struck me as odd.

I would absolutely give money to people that I know - and I have contributed to many MMers when they do races to raise money for cancer, etc. Like the Avon walk for breast cancer, team in training, joslin diabetes races, etc.

[LoveTrains]

Audette, I don't want to post on the military board because I don't know them, but can you suggest that she talk to the folks whose dog attacked her? Their home owners insurance might cover some of the medical costs since their dog was liable.

[y4m]

It's spammy posting it somewhere you're not a regular. I don't blame kellbell for pointing out that if someone is looking to donate to help animals, there are better causes out there.

[WOT?*]

There isn't a significant number of posters on military, which is why she probably posted on pets. She did address the issue of talking with the owners of the dog. They haven't stepped up as far as I know, they have renters insurance rather than homeowners, they'd have to pay a deductible and they've done favors for her (including letting her live there when she had no money and needed a place to stay) so she's reluctant to ask them to cough up money when they've already done a lot for her. She had the dog when she was married so money wasn't as much an issue as it is now that she's separated.

I do get the pets v petless argument and kid v. not-a-kid. My response is based more on the experience of coming home to an empty house. And on her dog not surviving coming on the heels of her marriage not surviving. I can understand the desperation of trying to salvage something when you weren't able to do so in another area of your life.

[audette]

Jun 6, 2012 13:00:14 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

Audette, I don't want to post on the military board because I don't know them, but can you suggest that she talk to the folks whose dog attacked her? Their home owners insurance might cover some of the medical costs since their dog was liable.

I pissed a few people off over the weekend, so I might not be the best one to post the suggestion on MF. But, I have posted in the Pets thread to suggest she cross-post there.

Renters insurance claims were mentioned in the earlier threads about her dog (the folks there rent, not own). I'm not sure why, but it sounds like this isn't a possible option.

However, this might be a strange question - landlords are required to maintain home owners insurance on properties they rent, aren't they? Would this be covered by that type of policy? (assuming pets were allowed in the lease...)

[luvmagoldn]

Very bad taste IMO. We put our 12 year old Golden down a couple of years ago after spending a lot of money trying to make her better. Our situation may have been different because of her age but I would not solicit donations to cover vet bills or even ask family and friends to help us.

Fundraisers for people who are ill with medical bills their family can't cover? I'm usually ok with that. For animals? No.

And I do not believe that you have to exhaust every measure available and put yourself in financial jeopardy to treat a pet. Being a responsible pet owner has many facets to it.

[LoveTrains]

Yeah but even if they have renters insurance, their insurance will still probably cover the liability from a dog bite. Just a thought.

[slug*bug]

Jun 6, 2012 12:39:27 GMT -5 c7 said:

Jun 6, 2012 12:32:30 GMT -5 WOT?* said:

Not for some people. Especially if it's the only companion they have at home after a long day at work and having to deal with legal messes and not-quite-ex-husbands.

I know some people treat their pets as their own flesh and blood. Those people would go to extreme measures (e.g., sell a kidney) to save them. I don't think the majority of people are like that.

Exactly. I loved our dogs. Loved. But even I knew there was a line when it came to what measures we could take to save their lives (which, in our case, wasn't financial...it was hard to say when, but there comes a point where the effort becomes heroic rather than reasonable.) I agree that the OP can do whatever she feels necessary (and I can understand given her tough personal situation) but I don't think she should be surprised that the majority is not necessarily going to approve of or understand asking strangers for money to cover her vet bills.

[krystee]

In the past, 've seen other Pets posters do things like fundraisers, where you'd buy handmade leashes, collars, ornaments, bandanas, etc., from them for $10-$15, and they'd use that money for vet bills. I think that is a better way to approach it. I feel for her, though.

[angnshaun]

Jun 6, 2012 11:14:02 GMT -5 @crackhabit said:

I contribute at least a little something for a friend's pet, but not a stranger or random Internet person

Ditto, i have done it for a friends pet

[Deleted]

Jun 6, 2012 12:23:05 GMT -5 c7 said:

Not my cuppa.

I'd roll my eyes privately. I wouldn't lambast OP publicly.

+1

[y4m]

Jun 6, 2012 13:20:35 GMT -5 krystee said:

In the past, 've seen other Pets posters do things like fundraisers, where you'd buy handmade leashes, collars, ornaments, bandanas, etc., from them for $10-$15, and they'd use that money for vet bills. I think that is a better way to approach it. I feel for her, though.

The pets posters who've done this in the past do it to support rescue animals though, generally not their own pets. I think maybe that's why it touched a nerve there. Those are people working their butts off to support animals that aren't even theirs--it's weird for a stranger to come in needing help for their specific pet.

[momof2boys]

I work at a vets office and recently a client went on facebook and asked for donations to cover his pets care. I was shocked when a total stranger called us and paid 650.00 of his bill! I gotta say, I rolled my eyes at the thought of going on facebook and asking for money. I'm typically in the camp of you figure something out, or ask to borrow money from family etc. To ask total strangers, not my thing. Then again I can't imagine just ponying up 650.00 to a total stranger to help pay his bills!
So while I was irrationally annoyed at the person asking for donations ( hell, I could use some free money too!) I will just be quiet and not donate

[Deleted]

I guess I'm a heartless bitch, but I'd not donate for anyone who randomly posted on here about needing money for health reasons. Pet or person, makes no difference.

Now, if it were a regular who I "know" and care about, sure. Random person? No.

I also would never think to post asking for donations for myself or child or pet either. I guess I see why people do, but it isn't my style. I may do something in my community or again, maybe ask my "friends" on this board, but I'd feel awkward asking random internet strangers to do this for me.