Ragdoll Cat Forums

This gets to be such a sticky wicket, while at the same time a wonderful idea. Unfortunately if word gets out that a fund is available, I do believe we'll have people joining the forum simply to have their vet bills met. That's just the way it is with some people. I agree that if there was someone who could head it up and be responsible for contact with the vet (so every forum member isn't contacting them) and then post the need and leave it up to individuals to decide whether to give to that vet for that ragdoll/owner, then it might go over better. I'm willing to give in certain circumstances, but possibly not for ALL circumstances.

(07-16-2010 08:39 AM)TeresaK Wrote: [ -> ]This gets to be such a sticky wicket, while at the same time a wonderful idea. Unfortunately if word gets out that a fund is available, I do believe we'll have people joining the forum simply to have their vet bills met. That's just the way it is with some people. I agree that if there was someone who could head it up and be responsible for contact with the vet (so every forum member isn't contacting them) and then post the need and leave it up to individuals to decide whether to give to that vet for that ragdoll/owner, then it might go over better. I'm willing to give in certain circumstances, but possibly not for ALL circumstances.

You are very right to be very suspicious Teresa. Look at the number of on-line forums for pets out there, between rescue, breed specific and general pet boards there are thousands. Five years ago, the heads up went out about a group that did nothing but join boards, talk about tragic stories and then try to illicit donations. They were very organized and scammed huge amounts of money. Playing people's heartstrings is dispicable but it is done all the time.
My preference is still to direct donate to the vet involved. I'm also very careful about verifying that the vet clinic is legit also... as you can see I was burned along the way.
I've also gotten to see the very best come out in people. We rescued a Giant Schnauzer who needed very expensive surgery or amputation would have been necessary. An anonymous donor paid the entire vet bill directly and left funds with the vet to cover later costs also. I don't think that any loving pet owner should have to euthanize their pet due to finances and know that people are more than willing to step up when asked, I've been happy to help on many occasions but we just need to be really careful about setting up a "fund" as they involve alot of red tape and someone is always left with too much hassle and responsibility. I also don't like that paypal gets between 3-7% per transaction too.

I agree with Teresa. With that said, if any member here had a situation like Stormy and there wasn't a grant available or it wasn't enough, I would like to opportunity to help out.

I think the best way to handle it is on an individual need basis, and those of us who can and want to help out can do so at that time.

Valerie

I love the vet idea much better and safer.
Dextermom....Here in the States we have,,,,,,,,, privacy act law.
I could see trying to validate information from a vets office becoming a problem possibly
Have you run across that and how do you work around it?
Also I do think we need to have a committee of some sort in place,,,on the forum.
One to protect forum members from being scammed and someone to validate information.and someone to post information to donata to.I think it would be cleaner that way we don't have just anyone posting.
I all so thought it would be nice to have a contact person in this committee for private reasons.
Some people may be to shy or feel to bad.
All so does anyone know of organations where people in need of emegence funds can apply for asstence?
if we can gather infomation that may be a good one for Admin to add on the froum a list,,,
My head is all over the place ,,,,HAha it is hard being me

(07-16-2010 11:02 AM)jellybean Wrote: [ -> ]I love the vet idea much better and safer.
Dextermom....Here in the States we have,,,,,,,,, privacy act law.
I could see trying to validate information from a vets office becoming a problem possibly
Have you run across that and how do you work around it?
Also I do think we need to have a committee of some sort in place,,,on the forum.
One to protect forum members from being scammed and someone to validate information.and someone to post information to donata to.I think it would be cleaner that way we don't have just anyone posting.
I all so thought it would be nice to have a contact person in this committee for private reasons.
Some people may be to shy or feel to bad.
All so does anyone know of organations where people in need of emegence funds can apply for asstence?
if we can gather infomation that may be a good one for Admin to add on the froum a list,,,
My head is all over the place ,,,,HAha it is hard being me

There are lots of ways to check on the validity of a vet clinic, are they listed on-line via a 411 information check, they should appear easily on google if they have a phone line. Before giving them credit card info. it is also perfectly acceptable to ask for their "vendor" number also.
As a proviso though, I'll share this story, we had a posting for a dog needing extensive surgery at a clinic in Toronto. I couldn't find it via 411 search or a reverse by putting in the number and that shot up a red flag. I called the number given by the poster and indeed someone answered the phone Cawthra Vetrinary "Trauma" unit... I asked if I could have an appointment for my cappucian monkey for treatment and after much hesitation, said sure and slotted us in...
Knowing that monkey's are illegal here, we don't have vets that treat them so I knew that I was dealing with a fraud. If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck... it usually is.
It is also usually easy to ferret out information by the lack of knowledge some people post about medical conditions, asking pointed questions usually can show the legitimacy of a request.