Paying for Vet Care

So, this blog's inspiration is coming from some facebook groups and things people have posted recently...

Often, whether in chinchilla groups, dog groups, what have you, when a pet gets sick or gets injured, I see comments saying that since the animal is hurt, the vet should see it for free.  When the comment back states that the vet won't see the animal without payment (either up front, before treatment, or on the date of service), people literally lose their minds and say how horrible the vet is, and how the vet is only out for money.

Now, hold on a second.  Vets -- in fact, no business for that matter -- are NOT obligated to make special accommodations for people who can't afford their services.  Try going to a restaurant, walk in the door, and say you can't pay.  Will they give you food?  Likely not.  Try taking your car to a mechanic, and then when it's fixed, say you have no money.  You're not getting your car back.  Try going to a grocery store, and screaming that the grocery store "only cares about money!!!" when you get to the register and are expected to PAY for your groceries, just like everyone else.  Everywhere, I repeat, EVERYWHERE makes you pay for the goods / services.  With the exception of programs for the homeless / starving, everywhere else, you have to pay.  Why do we think vets should be different?  Do they not have the same bills to pay (electricity, heating / cooling, etc) that the grocery store does?  It's not unreasonable or evil to require payment before performing a service.  They have their bills to pay too!

Then people suggest payment plans.  I think that will be my next blog post, but the cliff notes version is this -- payment plans rarely work out in anyone's favor, especially the person lending the money, as often the person who should be paying, never shows up to pay the rest.  So, what incentive is there for the vet to offer that?

I understand, vet care can be expensive.  Of all people, I know... we often are spending money on vet care for our small animals, and I have dogs as well, and that all adds up!  But by no means do I think that vets should not be allowed to make a living, or *gasp* get PAID for their services, because someone has an injured pet. 

How about -- HOW ABOUT!! -- we take responsibility for our actions.  If we want to have a pet, we know that vet bills might come with that pet.  If we're responsible, we understand that we should have money put aside for these unforeseen bills, or even have a credit card so we have some way to pay for them when the time comes.... rather than expect someone else to pay for our pets.  That is all.