Do you have an Emergency Vet fund for Your Parrots?

[lovethatgrey]

I believe that this is a very important topic to think about and then the next course of action would be to DO something about it. Be pro-active.

 

I am definitely of the mindset that ... "if you can't afford the VET, then you CANNOT afford the pet". This is also one of the many reasons why I limit myself to only 2 parrots. Should either of them fall ill or injure themselves, I know that I have it covered and will not feel that taking them to their avian vet is a "major financial sacrifice" nor feel any "added" stress to an already very stressful situation.

 

 

Afterall, they are living creatures and need the same medical care that I would need if I were in a similar situation.

 

I've read of too many situations where the parrot could have been saved or the situation "prevented" if the parront in question had taken the the parrot to seek vet care. Very often the parrot is left to "suffer needlessly" or DIE because the human cannot "afford" the vet expenses. Personally, I find this to be very regrettable and even shameful.

 

Please do what is necessary to put money aside on a regular basis so that you have that "peace of mind" if ever you need to take your feathered babies to the vet.

 

Thank you.

Edited April 16, 2010 by lovethatgrey

[Greywings]

Not yet but that is a great idea! We are fortunate enough to have a Vet who will work with us on that front. (We used to work together in our past jobs)

[Talon]

This is a wonderful idea and thread. I am ashamed to say that I don't have $$ saved for my 3 birds, but I do feel confident that in the event they need expensive care, I have many plastic cards to use and won't hesitate to use them if needed.

[Luvparrots]

I don't have a specific fund for my parrots or my pooch but I do have sufficient funds to know that I can provide for them. Great thread!

[lovethatgrey]

Here's an idea applied by another parrot owner.. instead of paying for Pet insurance, put aside a fixed amount of money on a bi-weekly or monthly basis in a separate interest bearing savings account.

 

When that " emergency situation" comes up, you have the benefit of having all the money you put aside, as well as a little bit of interest too. Unlike the mainstream "insurance plans" where you lose any money that you contributed.

Edited April 16, 2010 by lovethatgrey

[JillyBeanz]

I don't pay pet insurance as I think that there are too many stipulations, rules and "get out of jail cards" to cover them - that's why I choose not to. In my decision to have a pet, I took vet bills into consideration and know that should anything happen I shall be looking at a hefty sum. I'm in the same mind as Talon - if I don't have the ready cash at the time - the plastic will be hammered. It's a great idea about the savings account though. A small amount soon adds up

[Lambert58]

We took our flock in for their 1 year check up and DNA and it was over $1k US. The two techs there were simply floored that we had all the tests (poop, blood, full check up) done. They said that most people say something like "Oh, he's fine he doesn't need the poop check." and opt out. If we'd done that we'd have missed the Ca deficiencies in 3 of our fids. We don't have children, so our fids are the most important creatures in our lives. We spare no expense to ensure they get the best food, environments and care.

 

I totally agree with the mantra that if you can't afford to take proper care of the critter, don't get a critter. Be it cat, dog, bird or lizard. Unfortunately, too many people take on way more responsibility than they ever envisioned that one day in Pet Smart and then end up with a neglected creature. It really. Really. Pisses me off.

[lovethatgrey]

Thanks for sharing guys. I appreciate everyone's feedback.

 

As long as we are all mindful of this very important topic and we all take proper ownership of our responsibilties when a medical situation should arrive, is what matters most of all.

[she]

I have insurance for both my birds,and what a God send it has been.I very strongly advise anyone to take out insurance,In the last few months I have spent close on £500 in vet fees,all covered by insurance. Over the years, I dread to think what vet fees have come to,probably close on £2000,counting Crackers metal poisoning and Charlie's injured wing and now his feather follicle infection. I sleep easy knowing they can be cared for properly without having to worry about the cost.

[judygram]

I am still considering insurance but do have a fund that can be used in an emergency.

[jeanna]

I just got VPI for Jasper. It was $18/mo to get the VPI Avian Plan for an african grey which covers medical treatments for everything I could think of. But I decided to add in the supplemental and routine care coverage to pay for up to $181 worth of his routine exams, blood and poop testing, trimmings, etc. So total came out to be only $23/mo and I think it's totally worth it.

http://www.petinsurance.com/Plans-And-Coverage/Birds-And-Exotic-Pets.aspx

[GoDiego]

"if you can't afford the VET, then you CANNOT afford the pet"

 

I second that quote. Somebody I know has birds, one of them is in a terrible state with plucking his feathers. I keep on at her that she really should see a vet to make sure that it's not stemmed from something medical. Unfortunately she cannot do this as she cannot afford the vet bills. It's so sad to see this little bird suffering and nothing being done about it. Although this person is a good person and she really is in financial difficulty, I do wonder why she got a bird in the first place knowing that each week is a struggle to put food on the table.

 

In our household with have a "You never know fund" this is a fund that we pay into every month and is money to cover anything that may crop up out of the ordinary, including vet bills for all of our animals. Every time we bring another animal member into our family we always sit down and make sure that we can provide for them financially as well as looking to see if we have time to look after another member of the family.

 

I don't think people realise the cost involved when any animal needs to be treated for any thing out of the norm at the vets. Even a cat and dog's vet bill can mount up into thousands if they require blood work, x-rays, operations etc. A parrots vet bill will always be much more as the vets are specialists and so charge more to reflect this.

[Azzie]

Pet insurance in New Zealand is in its infancy and not worth getting at this stage. Luckily our vet truly is animal focussed, and is amenable to financial arrangements. Worse comes to worst, like Talon, I will whip out my credit card.

 

When I had to get my dog put to sleep, I was so upset the vet told me to come back in a few weeks time when I was feeling better to sort the bill, so they are obviously not totally money driven.