Treating the homeless

Re: Treating the homeless

Anthony Dennison — Sat, 10 Jan 2015 20:25:16 GMT

We had a case like this, 3 cats and a terrapin. I think the insurance covered hospitalisation/boarding fees for the animals>

Re: Treating the homeless

james herriot lied — Sat, 10 Jan 2015 13:58:40 GMT

You've done the work - with the owner's consent - so have every right to charge.

But if the media and Facebook are involved, then you could easily be seen to be adding to this lady's burden: giving extra time to pay the bill won't register with the public consciousness at all and an invoice for what's inevitably going to be several hundred pounds may be viewed as profiteering by the usual axe grinders and professional malcontents.

I'd charge out drugs and disposables at cost, but waive professional fees. The lost fees can be written off against the bottom line, but there's unavoidably going to be a cost to the practice on this one, either in simple financial terms or to professional reputation - and thus further financial loss.You can defend charging of certain costs, just to cover some of your losses (to the public, they'd be your only losses, things like salaries, electricity and rent being negligible), without appearing hard-hearted. It also reminds people that veterinary practice is a business, and charging money is not grubby!

As farmers like to say, 'first loss is the best loss'.

Financially, these kind of cases can be a poisoned chalice; but they're wonderfully cleansing for your soul - other rewards will be yours.

Re: Treating the homeless

rjhvet — Sat, 10 Jan 2015 10:18:28 GMT

Hi,

I agree with Wynne, charge normally, expect some delay in payment.

The nice firemen are paid to do their job..... I accept the Red Cross is supported by volunteers however as always with large charities lots of salaried employees etc etc.

Completely aware in this case the owners are't expecting free treatment but there's always someone who says " if you cared you wouldn't charge", I usually reply with something like the doctors and nurses that treat cancer patients including paed patients are not voluntary workers.

Don't think that's Daily Mailish, correct me if I'm wrong !!

Re: Treating the homeless

Alan Tevendale — Sat, 10 Jan 2015 09:47:08 GMT

I think I would be inclined to agree with Wynne and charge as I would normally whilst being aware that they are unlikely to be able to pay for some time. The alternative would obviously be to get the local rag to do a feel good article on the dog. The resulting publicity would certainly be good for your practice and probably more than pay for the loss in revenue.

Re: Treating the homeless

Nigel Davies — Sat, 10 Jan 2015 09:45:46 GMT

Media and PR benefits aside, I would do the work pro deo (or pro bono publico, depending on belief :) ). We were presented with a similar situation a year ago (dog and cat involved, cat sadly died).

Re: Treating the homeless

Hannah Wynne Richards — Sat, 10 Jan 2015 09:00:39 GMT

Charge normally, but be nice about waiting for payment until the house insurence pays up.

Wynne