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Charity
Bet Ya' Didn't Think of This
by Jennifer MacDonald

There are an enormous number of ways that we can contribute to the well being of others in this world. My main concern has always been with animals. I went the way of the animal because of the love and compassion my animal family showed me while I was growing up. It was a difficult home to grow up in and there were times where I felt that I may not have survived without them. I owe any shred of sanity I have left to them. What pains me the most is the fact that these pets, my brothers and sisters were not well cared for and many of them had short, unstable lives. I learned alot through their pain. I have actually been through counselling for grief over the loss of my family members and although I understand that as a child, I was powerless to take over the care that they needed, the shame and hurt is still lurking in my soul.

As an adult I have faced the reality of my past and rather than wallow in the sorrow of loss I have chosen to learn from what I experienced so that other animals and their caretakers can avoid this sort of suffering.

I do my best, by article writing and talks on animal well being, to educate people about animal shelters, the practical side of animal care, medical health care for pets, costs involved with adopting an animal and so forth. One thing I've learned about animals is that they provide an endless need for charity. They make us open our hearts and reach in for what is good, kind and compassionate. There are so many ways to give.

One that doesn't seem to get alot of attention is the need for medical care. Many animals are "put to sleep" because their caring owners don't have the money to pay for a surprise vet bill. It shocks me how people can criticize these financially challenged people by saying things like: "Shouldn't have had a pet if she can't pay for it" or "Isn't it a shame that man took in that poor animal when he can barely pay his own way.". I'm am apalled by that attitude.

While I agree with some that there are people who shouldn't have pets, I do not count financially challenged people as being among them. Being poor or experiencing a time with a scarcity of money is not a cause to stop loving. In fact, it's these people that need the love and loyalty a pet provides when people have abandoned them. A pet will love you to the very end even if you don't have money.

The first time I gave money to help with vet care bills it was totally on a whim. I was at the vet with three of my cats getting some vaccinations done. As I waited I overheard a conversation between a vet and a man that had brought in his cat. He was a student at the time and had little money to treat his cat for a urinary infection that had developed. The vet told him that if he couldn't have it treated it would be best to "put the cat down". I was stunned. The vet had been so matter of fact about this horrendous course of action that had obviously been a huge blow to the young man. I knocked on the half-opened door and asked if I could pay for the treatment. They both stood there looking at me as if I was crazy. The man gathered himself together and said he'd kiss my feet if I would do that for his cat, Cricket. I asked him if he could please not kiss my feet, kiss Cricket's feet if you have to kiss anybody's feet, I was just doing the right thing.

I gave the vet the money for the treatment, cancelled my appointment so I could save up for my own cats vaccinations again, which I did three months later, and felt like I was on top of the world.

That's one of many experiences. What I've learned is that people that don't have money are not people who don't love and care for their pets. Crap happens and life doesn't always go smoothly so look for those that need help when you have the means to give it.

Go to your local vet and tell them what your willing to do. Tell him/her that you are willing to provide funds for those needing donations to cover medical costs, especially if the only alternative to treatment is euthanasia. Or maybe help cover the cost of spay and neutering, another important and very expensive aspect of owning a pet. You don't have to donate your whole life savings, sometimes fifty bucks is all it takes to save a life.

It's not my job to judge the owner because of lack of ability to pay for expensive treatments, it's my duty to do what I can to help the animal.

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