Yes, 800.00 sounds like too much money, 200.00 doesn't sound outrageous to see the animal, and a payment plan should have been worked out. But, medicine is a business, and no vet can pay his own bills if there aren't certain guidelines in place. And this may sound harsh, but if the owner doesn't have a contigency plan in place to take care of emergencies, then they have absolutely no business having a dog.(don't most people have credit cards, and most vets offer Care Credit, for gods sake!) To me a dog is a luxury item, not a necessity, and you must plan to be responsible for it in every way. Unfortunatley, dogs, like children, aren't always had by responsible people. Thank god the people in the hurricane didn't walk away from their children like they did their dogs!
PS I am sorry if I sound heartless, I am a big supporter of companion animals for the elderly, and contribute regularly for low cost spay-neuter-vaccine programs, and funds to provide vet care for low income owners. |