I know a family that has continuously made bad financial decisions. Having a pricey wedding when they couldn’t afford it, purposely having another baby when their first is already on Medicaid. It goes on and on. The mother is always begging for hand outs on a social media website. The other day she was begging people to take her out to eat because she had a craving but couldn’t afford to go out.
Today’s post takes the cake though. Even though the family can barely afford to get by and needed help getting Christmas for their children, they adopted a puppy. Now said puppy is adorable but you don’t go and adopt one if you can’t afford to take care of yourself. Well, puppy broke a bone and needs surgery. Instead of turning the puppy in to the local emergency clinic (they provide free medical care if you sign over your rights and then place it up for adoption when it is fully healed) they went to http://www.gofundme.com/ and created a request for people to pay for the surgery. In the mean time the puppy has been suffering for days. The topper is they are asking for $800 more then what they were quoted for the surgery. 1227-12
It’s time to contact the agency that adopted the puppy to them and alert them of the situation. It is very unfortunate that animals and children must suffer the consequences of stupid adult choices. You are right in believing that if one cannot afford to feed and care for oneself or family then adding a pet is a poor decision. Proper vet care is an added and necessary expense when one takes on the responsibility of stewarding a pet.
I have occasionally financially assisted people with the care of animals in need of vet care but in every case, I assumed ownership over the animal. One needed euthanizing, the others I found loving homes after providing preliminary vet care. You or a group of friends may have to do the same for this poor creature.
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Mer: The people you are describing are entitled and selfish. They are not thinking of the welfare of the animal, but of themselves. Pets and children are not “motivation” or “symbols”, they are innocent living beings with needs and cannot take responsibility for your shortcomings. I understand you said you don’t condone it, so stop trying to justify their actions.
In that I agree, Mer, and thank you for the clarification.
Tracy, when I adopted ferrets from a shelter I did have to fill out a questionnaire, and it did ask about income. In one case, they also did a home visit to make sure we had a safe environment for the ferret.
Depends on the shelter, I guess.
I have never been a dog person, but several years ago, a doggie rescue place was set up outside a store, and they had “Gramps” as a guest. My heart melted and we took him home after DH was called and all arrangements were made.
The only dog I ever truly loved, but he led to our getting other dogs since his passing (had to be put under for a teeth cleaning, old poor dog, and discovered to have tumors,–nothing could be done at his advanced age and stage) but no dog has ever been as good as “Gramps.”
It does not take much money to adopt a dog, but the ongoing care, and plans to let the dog out for walks and potty, what to do when you travel, vet bills, etc…that is where the commitment comes in, and the OP’s story shows how wrong it can be for, “oh, the cute widdle puppy! I pwomise to take good care!” And a month or so later, no one cares. Not abuse or neglect, but not care.
And now that we can beg for money on websites–hey, ya’ll, I gotta pay for new carpet since my elderly cat has bladder issues, thankfully only in one room. But half the money will go to vet bills, I pwomise!!! Just send money to paypal acct#12345678910. Thanks!
Is there no shame?
I have a friend who did/does that. They have all the new gadgets, all the shiny new phones, and several housepets. Yet, they don’t work full time, they can’t pay their bills, they can’t even get cable anymore because they owe BOTH providers several hundred dollars. If they tell you they don’t have money and you want to socialize with them, and you suggest a backyard barbecue (as it’s on your dime), sometimes you’ll get the pouty faced “but I wanted to go out.” Well, if you like going out, guess you should get a better job.
I really wish I hadn’t read this entry now. Please let us know how the poor thing is doing.
I believe in indoor pets. At most, indoor/outdoor pets who come and go at will. But I will never have a strictly outdoor pet, simply because it is just too darned easy to forego spending quality time with them. It’s too cold out. It’s raining. I’ve got a cough. Don’t want to go outside and play with the animal.
And that’s when out of sight/out of mind comes in. I once had neighbors who had the sweetest little dog, and I had to keep its dish full of water (summer in Florida!), because they constantly forgot to check it.
Now, there are plenty of people who are simply incapable of ignoring or forgetting a pet, and they are the only ones who should have outdoor animals. Otherwise, they should be inside, with you, getting the attention they need.
This needs to be reported right away. Depending on the laws in your area, it could fall under animal cruelty statutes. Someone needs to get that poor little dog out of there immediately.
There is a sign on our vets’ wall; “If you can’t afford the vet, don’t get the pet.”
Gets right to the point, doesn’t it.