I actually spoke to the local humane societies. I asked if I bought all the shots if they knew someone who would give them to my cats for a donation to their group. The vet we took Elsa to, also was their suggestion. The vet suggested just vaccinating all without testing, when I mentioned this to the humane society they disagreed! I'm thinking "this is great" - it's their vet and they don't believe in her advice. They told me I should get all the cats tested or expect to lose some or all of them to the disease.
-----Original Message----- >From: Nina <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Sent: Feb 26, 2007 2:47 PM >To: [email protected] >Subject: Re: Help needed > >I know how hard it is to come up with the cash and how expensive vet >care can be. I have been fortunate enough to find a rescue organization >in my area that helps me with costs sometimes. I've developed a >relationship with them and they trust me enough to know that I have the >cats best interest at heart. If they have enough money in the till, >they will pay for spay/neuters and some vet care for new arrivals. If >they don't, or if it's a procedure that their group wouldn't normally >allocate funds to, they'll let me use their group discount, (at the vet >that gives discounts to them), put the cost on their bill and then I pay >them back in the form of a "donation". This helps me because I get the >discount and also can deduct the "donation" on my taxes. It helps them >because they can show my donation on their books, and of course they >appreciate my efforts to help the animals. Call around to all the >groups in your area and tell them what you do for the cats in your >care. Let them know that you don't expect them to do anything for you, >but would be grateful for suggestions and any help they might provide. >They might have extra food/supplies to share, or they might be willing >to let you use their vets for things like testing, vaccinations, or >spay/neuters. Some groups do their own vaccinations and testing, they >may be willing to test your guys at their cost. It never hurts to ask >and usually it's so refreshing to them to get calls from people that are >doing their part to help animals. So many people call rescues to dump >what should be their own responsibility in the rescue's lap and expect >them to rush over and take care of whatever problem they need help with >never taking into account how overwhelmed and under resourced they >are. Approach them in the right way, and I'm sure you'll find a >valuable resource. > >I'm glad if the group has helped you to feel less alone in the good work >you are doing. It's been a Godsend to me and so many others. I love >the people here! Good luck Debbie, I hope you stay in touch and let us >know how you guys are doing. >Nina > >Debbie wrote: >> My husband and I agreed to have the cats all tested. We called close to 20 >> vets for pricing. None are extremely cheap. The cheapest test by itself was >> close to $38.00. There was only one vet that offered a "snap test" cheaper. >> It is somewhat aggravating because we have spent close to $10,000.00 on the >> cats and paid all in cash. No one vet seems willing to reduce rates by that >> much. We will end up I am sure paying at least $900.00 (this yr. alone). >> Guess they don't realize eventually the money will run out. If it weren't >> for my husband I would never be able to do this. He retired in the U.K. and >> moved to the U.S. He took an early lump sum retirement. That is the only way >> we have been able to do this. I work full time but we live on about >> $32,000.00/ yrly. before taxes. There are so many pets in need and also >> people. Sometimes it gets very overwelming. Sure wish we got tax breaks for >> pet care, but heck most people are lucky to get reimbursed for human >> healthcare these days. >> >> I want to thank EVERYONE for answering my post. All the info. has been >> greatly appreciated. It is nice to hear from others who love animals like I >> do. I am at work at the moment and the folks here really don't care at all >> about pets. It is refreshing to hear that there are people out there that >> do. Thanks again. Please stay in touch. >> >> regards, >> Debbie > > >
