Why dont vets do Voucher or saving stamps?

Question

The couple of months i been on here, it astounds me, that some people cant afford vets fees. Are they that expensive in the States? Here in U.K. i can take my 3 cats up, have 9 shots, heart, ears eyes and weight check for the price of £120.00p. (dont know what that is in U.S. dollars.)
Here in U.K. we do have the P.D.S.A. who give free treatment for those on income support.
So it got me thinking for those who got pets , why dont some vets in the states, do saving stamps or vouchers, so if anything should happen to pets, least they know they have them to fall back on,(i know some vets can be quite stubborn in instalments.) Anything could happen re life wise, suddenly loose job ect, Lot of people cant afford pet insurance, so what do you think about a voucher or saving stamp scheme at your vets, least your vet would know that you are saving for that "Just in case" syndrome.
What are your thoughts? (of course it would have to be properly vetted, excuse pun, so you dont get conned.)

Do wish people read question properly.
You have a job, a well paid job ect, suddenly for 1 reason or another you loose job, You dont really want to loose your pet.( in some circumstances it cant be helped if they have to go.) Once finances are sorted out, then put some money on stamps away, it can be done. I dont work, 9due to being disabled.) But i can and do work my money out for emergenices for my pets.

I know vet training is lot harder and more intensive that a doctor. But with the money saving scheme as well, if they cant pay full amount, (and do a runner.) least vet will have something to re-compense him and his meds.

Answer 1

there is a vet program in Maine that helps families on state assistance to get there pets fixed and there rabies shots.....i think there needs to be more programs like this cause EVERYONE has the right to own animals. i have a cat and i feed him well and he is taken care of and loved very much but i have had to use the vet voucher program with spaying. just because i don't make lots of money doesn't mean my cat isn't taken care of.....i keep him inside so that he cant get hit by a car or attacked by a dog.....i take extra precautions because i would have a hard time coming up with money for that stuff....but i get him his shots.....with the help of assistance...

Answer 2

Vets are "stubborn" on installments because over 75% of the time, they get stiffed. People say they will pay, sugn the agreement, promise their first born, and STILL they do not pay.
Vets ( although I think many are pretty stingy) DID go to school for a long time and generally owe a lot of money. They are a BUSINESS and pets are a luxury item. You are not forced to have a pet, it is a choice. People do not make good choices for themselves. They know they have no money, yet they want a pet. When something goes wrong, they want everyone esle to be responsible for it. Vets are charging too much, shelters won't help, no one will give them money....the excuses continue.
The whole problem would be solved if people would exercise a little personal responsibility and NOT get a pet when they cannot afford one!!!!!! If they KNOW they cannot take a new puppy or kitten to the vet for shots and worming for $75...DO NOT GET ONE!!!!
So simple!!!!

You did not say you were talking STRICTLY about people who HAD a good job and fell on hard times. You say you have the PDSA who gives free treatment for those on income support. Does that mean ONLY for people who fall on hard times, or can people already ON income support go and get a pet and NOT have to take care of it themselves???

That is what happens in the USA all the time. People ALREADY have no money and get a pet. Or are living on a limited income and know that if something bad happens to the pet, they will not be able to afford it.

I think asking vets to take more time and effort to participate in some "scheme" (as you call it) like that would not work. There would be too many people taking advantage of it like they do with everything else. If people are responsible enough to save for future vet bills, they will go ahead and do that anyway. If they want to wait and have someone else pay for it, they will continue to do that too!!

Answer 3

I totally think is a reasonable idea but here's the deal. My husband went to 4 years of vet school and 2 years of internship and we had to take student loans to survive. We now owe 120,000 in loans. The average small animal vet makes around 30-60,000 the first year depending on location. Their salary does go up from there yearly but it also depends on how many clients you bring into the clinic.

My husband does equine medicine and he makes significantly less (equine vets charge more but they are on the road 3-4 hours a day so they have to). One of the reasons he chose equine medicine was because in several of the small animals clinics he worked, they pushed higher priced drugs (when a less expensive drug would do), wellness exams twice yearly, etc. He was actually let go because he refused to put a dog on an extremely expensive drug when a much, much less expensive drug would accomplish the same thing (he was quitting anyway). I am NOT putting down small animal medicine (I know many fabulous small animal vets) but look around for a vet that will work with you-they are out there. Our small animal vet (while my hubby was in school).

Here in the US, they also have a group of veterinary students who go out to rural areas and set up a sort of MASH unit in a community. These communities usually are poor and have limited access to veterinary medicine. For a weekend, people in the community bring their doggies and kitties to this MASH unit where they get their shots, wormed, heartworm medicine, spayed and neutered for free. Its called Remote Area Medical Services.

Hope this helps. I know I rambled but you asked :)

Answer 4

Because i am on a fixed low income my vet allows me to pay £5 a month towards vets fee's, BTW even though i live in the UK we do not have a branch of the PDSA near to where i live, so i can not get free treatment.

Answer 5

If people cant afford to feed themselves they have no right owing a pet, if you only have enough money to feed yourself you shouldnt get an animal, you know it costs money to take care of an animal ...vouvhers or saving stamps?? Are you kidding? There are so many poor, homeless people in need as it is, america doesnt even have enough money to pay for their needs let alone your pet!

Answer 6

its all about the chi ching $$$$$$