Well I am looking for some opinions.

I have never paid anyones vet bills before, but now is the first for me.


I went to go pick up a sick water dragon as the last one I took in died at the vet, so I was prepared with an empty enclosure, Well, I get there and the enclosure is great, the lighting is wonderful, the whole nine yards. The problem was, he was sick, had a URI, and apparantly had a seizure. These people were great people with all the right setups, just could not afford the vet bill. They were going to sign him over to make sure that he got the treatment he needed so badly. They didnt want to, but were thinking in the best interest of this animal. So I went outside and called my vet, made arrangements for them to take him there and I would cover the exam, panel, and the meds, to just add it to my account.

To me it made no sense to take this animal who was in a loving great environment, but with a family who was struggling. I went back in and told them I hooked them up with the vet and they can take him there and get the care he needs and I would cover it. The mother started to cry (oh geesh, I dont handle that well) thanked me and said she would send me 5 bucks a month, because she didnt want to be a charity case. I told her not to worry about it, but she insisted.

So here is the dilemma, I preach that if you cant afford the vet bills you should not have the animal. In your opinions do you think I was wrong in doing this? Do you think that maybe I have sent off wrong signals?


Brutal honesty is welcome. lol

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I have sucker tattood on my forehead

Sometimes situations change. Maybe when they first got him, they could afford it all and then something happened. I know the cost of gas and food is up. Maybe the little money they used to have went to the lizard but now that little bit is dried up.

I would say, the first time a help out is good, but if they come to you again, I would probably take the animal.

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My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

Sometimes you just come across someone who needs a helping hand. There's nothing wrong with what you offered. She didn't ask for the vet bill to be paid, after-all. If you're not worried about the $5 a month coming back to you - maybe you could suggest the $5 go into the new water dragon vet fund instead. This way if they should need the vet again...they won't be short-changed...

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Veronica
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Exotic Animal Rescue of Henry Co.
~~Rescue - Rehab - Rehome~~

Nicole what you did was really great! You are the best. I agree hard times probably happened and you really can't foresee everything in the future. Prismwolf's idea is a great one too. Have them do a vet fund so they can be ready in the future. But if it would happen again I would take the Chinese Water Dragon. I would only do it once. But what you did was great.

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Just because you have an animal that isnt dead doesnt mean you know how to take care of it

Nichole,...Nichole!
Your sucker light is flashing!

LOL But seriously what you did was incredibly generous! Since you had the ability to help and the family was just in a pinch you let your heart lead you and you did a good thing!

I just hope that word doesn't get around and EVERYBODY now decides its YOUR job to take up THEIR slack.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

I think like everyone else has said that it is fine as a one time thing. The people weren't asking for handouts, they were trying to do the right thing and give up the animal to get it the treatment that it needs, and still want to try to pay you back. Everyone deserves one
"HELP" card. Veronica had an excellent idea too. Getting the help from you wouldn't be much different than getting a payment plan from the vet... If you happen to decide not to take the money that's just because you are an awesome person who loves to help animals and the people they keep.

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No one can control everything that happens in their life. Sometimes you can do everything right - do the research, get the right diet and set up, get a vet and then get the animal. Then the economy takes a turn for the worse, or something big happens that shakes your world and suddenly you don't have enough money for a vet, or food or basic necessities. That's not your fault, but sometimes that's the way things go.

I think you did exactly right. You responded in a truly loving way to a family who just needed a little help. Don't question yourself for that. There's far too few people who are willing to do that anymore.

It's the people who buy the pets knowing that they will never pay for a vet visit - or the kids who buy a bunch of pets and don't have any real way of paying for them who shouldn't have them. Vets are a part of pet ownership, and had the family just bought it and figured they wouldn't help it if it got sick, you would have been right to take it away. But it seems like they genuinely cared about their animal - enough to give it up for its own good. They deserve all the help you can give them.



I think you should go with how you feel in these instances. You'll know when someone thinks their pet is expendable and when someone truly cares but just can't keep up. There's no reason to hold absolutely everyone to the same standards. There's no way to, really. Part and parcel of being human.

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"Let's eat, Grandpa!"
"Let's eat Grandpa!"

Punctuation. It saves lives.

I think what you did was AWESOME !!!!! Kudos to you Nicole for putting the animal first.

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Ken
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem." -- Ronald Reagan

I cant really say that what I did was just all one sided for them, lol. When I really thought about it, they were great people, just down on their luck. If I would have taken the dragon I would still be paying the vet bills, along with food and housing for who knows how long, so in the end it would have cost me more money. So yes, I did think about it logically too, lol.

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I have sucker tattood on my forehead

Nicole you are the best....Im sure your place is reserved in heaven....**HUGS**

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Warmest Regards from Lyn