Would the RSPCA help us?

We have an elderly Jack Russel who is very unwell.





I've had her for 10 years and my financial situation has changed drastically since I got her. Back then money was no problem.





Now we're struggling by on one minimum wage and working tax credits. She needs to go to the vet as she has a skin problem and has become incontinent, but I can't afford to pay for the vets bill this month.





The PDSA refuse to help at all because we do not get housing benefit as we do not rent our home and are ineligible for Council Tax Benefit as we are on WTC. None of the Private vets will allow us to pay by instalments, they demand payment on the day.





She's suffering and I don't know what to do. It'll be another 2 weeks before I can save up to get her treated. Please don't think badly of us, I didn't get a dog "knowing" I couldn't afford one - I adopted her 10 years ago when my ex and I were living on a £60,000 pa salary!! She's too old to rehome and I can't bear to have her destroyed.

Would the RSPCA help us?
awww you poor poor dear lady, i only wish that your circumstances change for the better and that you keep enjoying the company of your lovely adorable dog :-( , im just sorry if i can't help you directly`
Reply:I don't know about the RSPCA, but there are companies that will loan money on low to no interest loans for vet bills. Check out carecredit.com and see if you qualify.
Reply:here are some links that may be of some use


http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/what_y...


http://www.imom.org/fa/


are there any friends or family that could help you out in the meantime?
Reply:How much does the medicine cost? I'm not sure that the RSPCA will pay for medical costs. You could take out pet insurance, that will cover the costs, however that doesn't help you much at the moment.
Reply:All you can do is phone them %26amp; find out,


get the yellow pages out %26amp; phone every vet thats in it,surely one of them will let you pay it up.


Good luck hope everything works out.
Reply:Yes try the RSPCA and any other welfare organisation you can find. I really feel for you. Keep trying and i really do hope that some organisation will help you.
Reply:You could try a local rspca clinic but most want proof of benefits. You could ask a relative who is on benefits to take the dog in for you but there may be ongoing treatment which you may not be able to afford as it can work out expensive. There may be a local animal charity who would take the dog on or give you advice if you are not able to afford to keep it anymore.
Reply:Shouldn't be saying this but feel for the dog get some one on benefits to say she's theirs and take her for you.
Reply:Unfortunately, no the RSPCA will not help - and you obviously know that the PDSA won't either.


We have this problem too - we have a low wage, but we do have one, hence we don't get help - we too could more than afford Charlie when we got him.





Have you asked friends/family?? It might be cruel, but if you have to wait you have to wait....Or you could speak to the vets and explain how long you would need to pay - they will normally be OK to do the treatment as they don't like to see them suffer.


Then if you can afford it, maybe get some insurance to cover it all?!
Reply:Have you contacted the RSPCA vets...if you talk to them and explain your situation I would like to think they would help. Most RSPCA rescue centres have a vetenary clinic and provide cheaper treatments and you might be able to spread the payments out .


I really hope they can help as its not fair on your poor dog and obviously you know that.Failing that try every local vets /animal charity you can find until someone is willing to help.It is a bit discusting that people who are supposed to treat animals will turn them away to suffer like this....shame on the PDSA.
Reply:poor dog,I hope someone will help you.


It is very sad to read this,and that the vets will not treat a sick animal unless they get their money.





is there anyone who could help you out?
Reply:There are a great many charities in the U.S. that will help with Vet bills. I found several possible links in the UK. Good luck and I hope all goes well.





http://www.petloversonline.co.uk/financi...


http://www.nationalpetregister.org/dir/a...
Reply:wow what a change in circumstances i hope you are happier for it...


as for the poor dog, I am sure you can find help.. My daughter had a similar problem and the r.s.p.c.a. helped .... all the best for the poor old dog x
Reply:I've heard that if you show them proof of your last five weeks income they will help if you are considered a low income client.


You could also try calling the Dogs Protection Society they may be able to give you some support.


Good luck; peoples situations change and they usually understand. hope it goes ok for you and your wee dog x
Reply:i cant say all i suggest is contact them and see what they say if you are refused try the PDSA they may help
Reply:i do nt think badly of u you cant help fiancial change i really feel for you i think the rspca might help i hope they do hope you get it sorted lol
Reply:The RSPCA may work in the same way that the PDSA works but to be sure ring them and find out. They may know of vets in the area who would be willing to treat your dog with an agreement to pay in installments.





I do hope you can get the help you need, it isn't fair that people on benefits can get the help but not people who work but are on low incomes.
Reply:i had the same problem with pdsa i rang the rspca they have a funding that helps people on low income and benefits they contact the vet for you so they know the situation,they will give you a phone number to ring were they have someone that helps your ing them as soon as you can and explain the situation


hope your dog is alright and recovers soon
Reply:It may be an idea to try a specific dog charity becuase i know the cats protection will help with vet bills for cats if you need help.
Reply:As far as the skin problems. Try giving her some fish oil. Most of the time I would suggest buying fish oil tablets. They generally help with many skin problems. Since you don't have much money, perhaps you could start giving her the juices from cans of tuna fish and other generally discarded parts of fish products. It might help. Sorry that I don't have more ideas.
Reply:Do you have a credit card you can put the money on? They have lots of credit cards who have 0% ffinancing for 6 months to a year.





Also, get on petfinder.com, find small local rescue groups in your area. These groups usually have a Vet who provides medical services for their rescue dogs/cats at reduced fees. Sometimes they will let people bring their pets in under their account name to benefit from the reduced prices. Many Vet's offices also let these rescue groups bill and make payments, so maybe the rescue group will allow you to pay them back in installments. They may also know of another group who can provide some financial aide for you.





Good luck!
Reply:firstly your very brave coming forward asking for help, if i could help you i really would,have you contacted your vet and explained ,see if he would treat your dog and you pay for it when you can afford it in a few weeks?is there no one that would lend you the money? i really hope you manage to sort something out,this must be a very big worry hunni, good luck
Reply:If you are on minimum wage and getting working tax credit you are classed as a low income so the RSPCA should treat your dog.
Reply:Have you got a friend that is on housing benefits or another qualifying benefit that could say that she is their dog in order to get her the treatment?





People sometimes adopt their dogs out to someone kind enough to look after them temporarily during a period of unexpected travel or financial difficulty so I don't think it would be wrong to have a friend do this for you temporarily and get your dog treated in their name.
Reply:I'm shocked that the PDSA won't help. I'm sure the RSPCA will help though, even if you have to pay some of it or arrange a payment plan, but they wouldn't see an animal suffer, surely that's what they're there for.





Some vets will let you have a payment plan, so it might be worth your while trying to find another vet in your area.





I hope you manage to sort it out, good luck
Reply:Try Dogs Trust, also phone the Jack Russel rescue people and they may help with treatment. Also tell us more about your dogs condition and someone may be able to advise on treatment.
Reply:Buy a tube of skin cream from your local pet store or take her to the rspca unfortunately incontinence is often due to age although I dont believe 10 is extremely old for a Jack
Reply:All you can do is phone them up and explain your situation I hope you can get some help somewhere i have been in the same position as you a few yrs back








good luck
Reply:The only way to find out if the RSPCA will help is by calling them and explaining the situation. They may be able to help alot more than you think. Its a shame you didn't have her insured.


I'm surprised the PDSA refused to help, I take it the vets have told you you can't pay in instalments no matter what your money situation?





I find that odd because our vets is good enough that they allow that, they make allowances for people on low incomes. They have always let me pay in instalments, as long as they get their money, maybe you could try a few different vet practices?, Or get in touch with the British Vet association and see what they suggest, they might be able to direct you to a good vets that will allow you to pay a bit at a time.





Just ring the RSPCA. They won't try and take your dog away, they will probably offer help with the treatment.





I wish you luck and hope your golden oldie gets well soon x
Reply:I don't know about the RSPCA, to be honest they're pretty useless in the area I live. Most charitable organisations will only give help if you are in receipt of housing %26amp; council tax benefits.


Have you tried the Dogs Trust?


Failing that, do what I do, keep a credit card for vet bills ONLY.