Vets charging for treating wild birds (1 Viewer)

[Jos Stratford]

Thanks Katy, I appreciate what you, and others are saying about bringing charges to the boy who did this. The thing is, I have said to the parents that I will take no action this time, but if it ever happens again, I will be reporting the incident to the police and other parties. I don't want to go back on my word now. It's such a shame as I had always got on so well with my neighbours. But these days, with boys and their "hard" friends, I have to tread very carefully, they could do me a lot of harm should they decide to take revenge for me reporting them. I wish it were otherwise, but unfortunately it isn't.

This thread was really me letting off steam about my money-grabbing vets more than anything. There are other instances I could tell you about the firm concerned where they have been overcharging a friend for tablets for her dog's epilepsy, but obviously won't go into detail not the time or the place.

I really only wanted to know whether other folk have had to pay for wild birds or animals being treated by their vets, or whether it's only this one particular place.

Thanks for all the replies anyhow. I guess I will pay up as usual and put it down to experience. The thing is, what happens if it's someone who can't pay? Say someone who is on the basic minimum, out of work dole money? Who pays then? Or does the vet say, sorry, I know you can't pay, so we don't treat the bird? That's what has made me mad, I think they are taking advantage of me. |=(|

Jan

I think the PDSA would be the port of call in these cases - sympathise with you Jan, but the criminal in this case in the little git who lives opposite you He is almost surely breaking several laws (using gun in public place, shooting a species (blackbird) which is, like almost all birds in the UK, protected. Additionally, depending on the kids age, the parents are equally liable and could also be vialating some law or other allowing under-aged to have the gun in the first place). If you have evidence of any kind, personally I'd have gone to the police, but if your word with the parents works, maybe better. If happens again, please do contact the police.

As for the vet, yes, he could have done the work for free and I think it is perhaps a bit 'cold' of him not to, but it is his business, so not totally unreasonable. Rather than not paying, you could try to phone and suggest you make a donation equal to the bill to the RSPB ...perhaps might prickle his conscience

 

[Keith Reeder]

Unfortunately, vets aren't part of a "National Health Service for animals", and it's not at all unreasonable for this one to be interested only in paying work...

 

[Terry O'Nolley]

It might have something to do with capitalism and a free-market economy.

I'm sure if the vet handled wild animals for free he could go out of business.

 

[shelley810]

To go along with Katy's thought, which I do agree with, I would suggest that the bill be shown to the parents of the little freak that will one day grow to be a serial killer. You're not asking for payment, but you are letting the responsible party know what is coming and what it is 'costing you' monetarily (let alone the anxiety, worry and loss of your own valuable time). Keep in mind too that avain medicine is not practiced as much as other veternary med....very few here in the states would have the experience to deal with birds, not all Rehabilatators will even take birds, it does take special care and training. Your vet, that's his business, I would expect him to want some pay for service, but it would be nice if he would at least 'cut you a deal' since you are a good customer (both with your own pets and you still bring him business with the injured birds). Perhaps you will be qualified to be a bird rehabilatator soon yourself given all these learning experiences thrown at you.
Take care Jan.... my heart goes out to you, because you have a kind caring heart and will go to the ends to save an innocent life.
shelley

 

[KnockerNorton]

PDSA is means-tested, Jos. You can only get treatment if you're on certain benefits. And the nature of the organisation means that they're not the best vets in town anyway. Their experience of birds, let alone wild ones, could be well below par, as I have seen in the past. However, they or the RSPCA will euthanise it, if someone can't bear to di it themselves. Most vets have arrangements where people on low incomes can pay in installments, or will euthanise for free anyway.

 

[Mary Evelyn]

The local vets here will treat injured wild birds and animals free of charge.
They do get annoyed though when people take young healthy fledglings away from their area and that, I can understand.
Although it is a business,I feel our vets do their bit.

On the other hand , if you take in an injured cat or dog you have found ,you will indeed receive a bill.

 

[nessie]

I work at a vets and we treat any injured wild animals for free. We don't have the facilities or in a lot of cases the knowledge to rehabilitate the animals and birds we see though so we have a number of wildlife sanctuaries where we know they'll be given some support until released.
There's a fine line between what you should treat and what you shouldn't, someone wanted us to amputate a bats completely mangled wing and send it to live at an animal home for the rest of its life. I think sometimes people forget these are wild animals.
The fledgling situation drives me up the wall, people bring them in and absolutley refuse to put them back where they found them because of the cats. Things have improved since the RSPCA leave them be campaign however.
I also sometimes wonder how opportunist predators that survive by targeting the weak or injured would manage if so many injured creatures are spirited away to the vets instead of nature being left alone.

Natalie