Sharing responsibility for Putih, a cat

Khoo Beng Kai had earlier written to me asking how he could help this white cat, Putih, who lives in his neighbourhood. 



We discussed what needed to be done, and I had not heard from Beng Kai until a few days ago… 


Hi Dr Chan

I am not sure you still remember me or not. I first wrote to you last month.
Sadly today at about 8pm the cat that I have been feeding got hit by a car. Then the cat ran very fast to some bushes. I went to look for him & found him to be bleeding at the mouth area, so I believed he got hit at the head area. When I go near him trying to catch him, he will run away again. Finally he ran into my neighbour’s house and my neighbour manage to catch him by calling out his name, Putih. (Well actually the cat belong to my corner house neighbour. They just let him roam around freely. Not as I initially thought Putih is an abandon cat or stray)
However my neighbour wasnt free to bring Putih to a vet (need to go to work). By the time we manage to put Putih into a carrier the time is already 9pm. So my wife & I decided to bring Putih to the vet. We went to Healing Rooms first but they already closed when we reached there. I recalled reading from your website that there is a Vet Clinic in Kinrara that do 24hrs service. So after making a phone call to the vet for an appointment, off we went to Kinrara. The vet diagnosis is Putih could suffered from a broken jaw and probably mild facial (eyes area) injury. Also if I am not mistaken I heard maybe mild head injury too. 
The vet put Putih on drips and gave him 2 injections (I know the 1st jab is for inflammation, cant remembered what is the 2nd one for). He suggested to board Putih for a few days for observation. Since now Putih is quite traumatised, the vet will check on Putih’s jaw, 1 or 2 days later to confirm which part of the jaw is broken. So far at the moment the fees are as following:
Consultation (out-of-hours services) – 120.00
2 injections                                   –   26.00
Drips                                            –   70.00
Boarding for 2-3 days – no charge
Total                                            –  216.00
I have paid RM170 to the vet.
If Putih’s jaw is broken, the surgery to wire Putih jaw will cost about 200.00. The vet estimate total cost will be in the region of 500-600 (inclusive the RM216.00 above). I have not spoken to my neighbour yet so I am not sure whether they are going to pay me back full amount or partial. If my neighbour is willing to pay half of the estimated cost then I can bear the other half.
I replied that we will help out with the bill, pending Beng Kai’s discussion with his neighbour. The next day, I called the vet to get an update about Putih. The vet explained that Putih needed to be stabilised first (on drips). Suspected head trauma, as explained by Beng Kai. I informed the vet to do everything necessary for Putih and we will help out with the bill.
Beng Kai’s updates:   




Hi Dr Chan


I would to thank you for your kind gesture with regards to the bill. The vet has informed me that you did called him when I went there to settle the outstanding amount. 
Anyway I managed to speak to my neighbour’s younger sister just now. Update her about Putih condition and also the estimated medical cost. I have proposed to share half the cost and also informing her that I have already settled the initial charges of RM229.00
She said she has spoken to her brother about Putih’s tragic and her brother said he will talk to me once he is back from Malacca. He should be back tomorrow. So far no outcome on the proposed cost sharing yet till her brother discuss with me. Shall keep you posted in due course.
She also has asked for the vet’s address so that they could visit Putih.
I hope they will agreed to share the cost so that we may not need to utilise AnimalCare funds. However I did briefly mentioned to them about some animal welfare organisation providing financial aids on subsidy basis but subject to their approval. Before I leave their house I did reiterate to them that we can share the bill equally and try not to involve the funding.   
Anyway I have attached Putih photo taken at the clinic just in case may need to used it. You can see Putih’s mouth at the left side has some blood stain and the jaw of this side is broken. Also Putih right cheek is swollen.
Right now, Putih is still boarded.  



Beng Kai has given me his blessings to blog this story. I wanted to do it as an inspiration to all of us that we should work together and share out the responsibility of looking after the animals around us. 
We are unsure whether Putih belongs to the neighbour or another neighbour, but Putih had an accident, and in order to save his life, Beng Kai did the needful, and is even willing to share the bill with his neighbour.  
Great work, Beng Kai!  
Our offer to help out with the bill still stands.  
Get well soon, Putih.  
Updates at 12.21am:
Looks like the neighbour is NOT sharing the responsibility.
From Beng Kai:  




Hi Dr Chan



 
The x-ray result showed that the center of lower left jaw is fractured. The vet advised surgery to wire the jaw together & also to insert a feeding tube. Estimated cost is about RM1000/=
 
Finally managed to speak to the brother. He told us Putih is actually old and its not worth it. Then I told him that his father said Putih is about 2.5 years old. He replied was his father got the age wrong. He further mentioned there is no guarantee Putih will live long and will be costly to care for after the surgery. So its not worth paying the money and advised euthanise for Putih. I told him that I dont have the heart to euthanise Putih and will try to find ways to take care of the medical bills in exchange of Putih’s ownership to me. He is agreeable to the term. My wife asked him what if his father come to claim Putih, he said he will informed his father about his decision. He went on saying his father has another cat. 
 
Dr Chan, I would like to adopt Putih but I cant have him in the house as my mom dont allow it. Is it ok for me to house Putih in a cage and place the cage at the car porch area with awning to provide shade. My concern is the heat from our weather.
Sad, isn’t it (the response of the neighbour)? 
We’ll help Beng Kai with the bill and get Putih well again.  




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4 responses to “Sharing responsibility for Putih, a cat”

  1. nieza

    Huh! Shame on you, irresponsible owner.. Hope Putih gets well soon and return home to his great carer

  2. Anonymous

    not taking responsible is one thing/ then suggesting for euthanizing for a cat who is not even at the state of dying.

    from his response, i think he is the one who is not worth to be kept alive.but who am i to say like that, right?

    Mas

  3. Anonymous

    I don't think you can compare an any love with money and age can't be defined.

    Sometimes I think about the money I spent on my pets' upkeep. If I didn't spend I would have saved thousands of dollars by now (opportunity costs?). But then they'll do something that I think are worth it..nose rubs..licks..nibbles. As mastercard puts it "PRICELESS".

    How can one tell how long one lives? My primary school friend passed away at 12 from a road accident. My grandma is 95 and she's still with us. She's got joint pains and we still get her medication although doctors says it won't help much at her age. We still get it for her not thinking "She doesn't have long to live why waste money" but more to relieve some pain if not all. Her medications and supplements doesn't come cheap. I know people will say that's a human and we're talking about animals. So what? Aren't we all God's creation?

    In my opinion, the neighbour thinks of Putih as just a cat, a hobby. If its there its there, if its not then its ok.

    Sorry if I offended anyone.

  4. Anonymous

    Not worth it? What does he think his cat is, a car? It's So heartbreaking to read statements like that. I even read that a vet told a rabbit owner "your rabbit's surgery will be expensive, not worth it, cheaper to buy a new rabbit". Beyond disgusting!