Of emotionally-strung and demanding rescuers

So the conversation with our panel vet then veered off to the topic of emotionally-strung and demanding rescuers. 

We had one such case a few months ago when this rescuer fired our vet till no end.  He had asked me to sponsor the spaying-neutering of his 6 rescued cats, through one of my other friends.  I said okay, so the appointment was made. 

When he collected his cats, he bought medicine for his own dog and asked the clinic to put it into my bill.  Then, he even tried to wangle one week’s boarding for his (male) cats and to put it into my bill as well. 

Oh gosh….

The clinic rang me and I said no, we cannot afford such luxuries and we cannot pay for the medicine for his own dog.  Our funds don’t cover such things.  Boarding is only for surgeries or serious medical cases that warrant it. 

Before I knew it, my phone rang.  I had an earful from him!!  At least half an hour….

Apparently, our vet also had a earful from him. 

At least mine was on the phone.  Our vet had to bear with him face-to-face. 

I apologised profusely to our vet for bringing in such a person.  That’s the trouble when you deal with strangers who ask for help. 

Thank goodness our vet was in good spirits that day.  He said he found it all rather “entertaining” on an otherwise boring Friday afternoon.

Then, there are also cases where rescuers make demands.  They already get a rescue rate, yet they still make demands and insist that things be done their way. 

Hang on…before you write a comment here and say I’m being defensive, please note that the vet said this and not me!  I don’t know what rescuers do and I don’t comment on other people’s actions or decisions. 

I have never ever called myself a “rescuer” because I am not one.  It takes a great deal to be a “rescuer” – you’d need the skills and the expertise.  I hear, though, there are “certified rescuers” in the Klang Valley.  That’s interesting, isn’t it?  I may be someone who picks up kittens from rubbish heaps or take dogs out of dog pounds, but that doesn’t make me a “rescuer”.  Big word….dare not use it!

Anyway, I digress….

Back to what the vet said….

And, when these rescuers don’t get whatever they demand for, they go around bad-mouthing that particular vet, the vet said. 

And this is why, the vet said, many vets are actually “afraid” of rescuers.  It has also given a bad name to rescuers.  No wonder when I asked if another vet in PJ could be on our panel, he straight away said NO.  “No Rescuers!  You think I run a charity here?”, he bellowed.   

He must have had plenty of bad experiences with rescuers.  I empathise.  I also respect the fact that vets who run their private practice but who are willing to offer a rescue rate do so as a form of community service and charity.  The least we can do is to abide by their clinic policy, be thankful for whatever rescue rate they can offer, settle our bills promptly and not over-burden them with too many of our cases.  To put it bluntly, “beggars cannot be choosers”.

This brings to mind another rescuer who got really angry with me last year when I said we did not have sufficient funds to provide the 6-day boarding that she needed for her dogs (3 before and 3 after).  I had already agreed to sponsor the spay-neuter charges but explained that we did not have sufficient funds to cover that many days of boarding.  She somehow insisted that we must and she finally decided I wasn’t helpful.  Oh well…never mind.  She is entitled to her opinion. 
So, I’m quite glad I’m not a “rescuer”.  My vet once referred to me as an “activist”.  Goodness gracious, no, no, no.  Don’t call me names, sir.  I’m none of those!  Those are big words and they come with huge responsibilities. 

Then, there are other stories, but it’ll have to wait for another day.

Someone’s calling me regarding an injured Spitz rescued at the KTM station and asking for sponsorship for its treatment. 

I got to go. 

To the RESCUE!!??

No, no, to just look-see and see how we can help. 

Have a pleasant evening and don’t take life so seriously, please.  It’s short.  Anger will only make it shorter.