01/11/2025
"I can't afford a vet"...
Something we hear and see daily on messages, groups, social media with hundreds if not thousands of pleas for help 😢
In a few instances that might be true and a lot of factors considered, sudden change in circumstances and a handful of other valid reasons...
But here's the main reason we see often 👀:
Irresponsible...
😲 What? How can I say that?!
There are many words but this seems to sum it up. Owners are not taking responsibility to plan for their pets' medical needs!
Very rarely, will someone say I've saved up R200 at the vet, I just need help with the rest or I can contribute R### 🙏... Instead it's full on hands out asking everyone else to pay for YOUR pet 🤲.
I ask for bank accounts - The liquor store every week, Checkers 60/60 regularly, Dstv, Takealot, Take aways etc. 💸
(If you just saved 10% of those spends towards a vet account, you'd have most of the funds available for at least a vet consultation)
I visit to check on the circumstances 🏚️ -
Tv's, brand label clothes, nice furniture that I can't even afford, high end brand items, nails and hair professionally done costing hundreds of rands, Playstations, etc. 😯
(If you pawn your Tv, you can still pay off to get it back but your animal can see a vet or skip a hair appointment, oh boy how people hate to hear this, how dare I ask them to inconvenience themselves for a bit so their animals can get treated) 🐶🐱
Then there's the others - unemployed, struggling or pensioners taking on kittens and pups, I'm instantly annoyed when someone starts with "I'm just a pensioner" 🤦....
You made the decision to take on a living, breathing, sentient being and should've done so considering your current circumstances.
I always advise to PRE-PLAN getting a pet, save up for vaccinations, sterilizations and continue to save for emergencies once you have your pet.
Open a vet account and even if you pay R50 a month, you're trying and taking responsibility!
The reason for this rant is the sense of entitlement that come with the pleas, expecting and almost demanding others to help pay for a decision you made to have a pet 🙀 And so many have become dependent on this help that they don't even try to do anything themselves, haven't saved a single cent towards helping their pets of have grown so used to others jumping in with open wallets, professional beggars in some sense 🤝.
Yes, there are at times different circumstances to consider, these are considered case by case but the they are the exceptions, not the norm 😢.
Why do I help the animals that I do and still posting about this issue? 🤔
Various reasons... From uneducated owners who didn't know any better, to owners that don't really care and I help the animals for their sake, not the owners 🤗. But I do so, not quietly and unreservedly, I educate on responsible ownership at the same time, I have rules and expectations, I can see owners really trying to be better, taking some responsibility and most didn't ask for my help, I offered it knowing I can make a change in that animal's life 🤞.
I've been duped at times, my kindness misused and my help abused, but once I realize this, don't expect any assistance from me in the future again 😠
Take responsibility:
Please, open a vet account and pay what YOU can afford monthly to be able to help your pet when needed, look at small insurances that can cover consultations or emergencies, PLAN for your pet WITHIN your budget 💰, don't take on the responsibility of a pet if you're already struggling, food, love and water is not enough to be a responsible pet owner, it can be that simple.
