This is why insurance is so important!
 

Just read this article on yahoo. No one should ever have to choose between saving their animal or being charged with animal cruelty. So sad.

Woman Accused of Cruelty After Refusing Dog Surgery

Pet insurance is different than people insurance... the owner would still have to pay up front anyway.

It could be possible the vets thought she would take the dog home with no medicine or anything and just let the dog suffer. A lot of people do that more then you think.

Yup so you still have to have the money.

Yes, you still have to have the money up front. I have a few lines of credit that are empty that I use strictly for Taycie and her needs. I get a vet bill and charge it. Float it until I get reimbursement then pay it off instantly.

I do not buy insurance for my pets because the cost for 5 pets is ridiculous but we do have a savings account and credit cards for emergencys..
Even if we didn't my pets would never go without/suffer because I would sell my car or anything I could to pay for their care..:)

I agree// I have a care credit card and also put the money that I would have to pay for pet insurance in a savings account

That's me too I would sell and not fulfill my needs before Callie went with out.

Personally, I don't think you should own an animal if you don't have a credit card or friends who can get a credit card, or any family members who will loan you the money or credit card. Even the woman's friend was turned down for credit care, these people have a long history of not paying their bills. What's the vet's office to do? Insurance works out for some, but in reality, the insurance companies are a business and they will make money off of most people, everyone seems to think insurance is free money, but it's not, in general you will pay much more than you will receive, that's how they make their money. If you don't have a large savings that may be the best way to go.

The problem with an ER vet is they want that credit card right then and there. Selling your stuff won't be good enough for them. I'm a big believer in having a Care Credit account just for this.

I am kind of confused by the story. I think there is probably a lot missing.

But insurance wouldn't have helped, really, because you still have to pay up front.

If this dog was that bad off (which, since it was hit and dragged by a car, I am SURE it was) then she absolutely should not have brought it home and let it suffer throughout the night.... but I don't know details of that, or what condition the dog was in.

On one hand, I know a lot of e-vets do charge a TON and certain issues are probably okay to just bring your dog home until the AM, and it's just different when you don't have that personal relationship with them like you might your regular vet.

We took my dads pup, Lilly, to our ER vet one night on a Sunday after she was just acting weird all day, she had thrown up a few times, we could just tell she was not feeling well. The ER vet did not even run bloodwork and basically gave us no answers and just stated "oh she's going to have to stay overnight" and showed my dad the bill which would have been $1500. He said no thanks and opted to take her home with sub-q fluids. She was better the next day. I think it's a matter of knowing your dog and what you are comfortable with. And my dad is not a worse dog owner for opting to not leave her there.

I feel like the animal cruelty charge is somewhat questionable, it's hard to say without knowing what condition the dog was in and is in now. Do we even know how the dog got hit by a car? But then again, I'm sure vets don't just throw out animal cruelty charges lightly. So something must have gave them reason.

I think it's very important to have money in some sort of a savings account, or a CC, etc, with quick easy access for emergencies such as this, more so than anything else.

I know that this might not be practical for everyone, but not by design, but by chance, I used the specialists at the both Toronto area ER hospitals, prior to actually needing an ER service as an emergency.

So they already had me and my dogs, and for that matter my cat, on record.

When I had to rush Zoey in for emergency that day last year, there was no pre swipe of my credit card, not even a mention of it! She got her emerg care, and I paid on the way out.

So I too believe in pre arranged credit. a prepaid credit card, that you use only for dog emergencies, and or a savings acct for the dog.

I think most of us would be hard put to pay $10K cash up front. Especially after banking hours!

I know with multiple dogs, the bills can truly add up. That is just speaking about insurance.

I think everyone needs to analyze their situation financially that is, taking into account where they are in their lifes' journey, if you are close to retirement your answer might be different than someone who is 30yrs away. If you are on a fixed income already, that too needs to be accounted for.

So true! They are in business to make money.

I had the same experience at my local ER Vet with my ZoE. Because I'd been there before and they had all my info on file, they treated her immediately and then I paid on the way out.

Our ER vet lets you sign a release for treatment up to an amount you specify in case of an emergency and keep it on file for each pet you have. So, lets say.... if my neighbor was watching ZoE while I was out of town for a weekend, and she was hurt/sick, she would receive immediate treatment. Just extra piece of mind.

What a great idea! Another thing is to find an ER vet before you need them and learn what their policy is.

And Pre-program that number and address into your phone and car's navigation system. It's much easier than trying to find it when you are under stress.

That is a great idea! I will talk with Dr Jack about this. But mainly I travel with my pets

Yup that goes for when you travel. I have already the addy and phone number of the Vet Hospital in Huntsville, and prior to even arriving at our cottage we shall go by that hospital!

This is very true and always something to keep in mind.

Yes , i realize that..I only said that to state how i feel about MY pets..
I was not suggesting that a person sell their stuff to pay for emergency vet care..

We all would. It's just that too many people don't have an emergency fund to cover those things that happen in the middle if the night on a long weekend.

so true..