Hoppy was a ‘feral’ cat. The description of ‘feral’ is in inverted commas because I am not sure he was totally feral but he certainly lived a hard life and it took its toll.
He was found by the person who owns and runs the Photographers for Animals website, Elizabeth Putsché. Hoppy has been with them for a year, as I understand it. He is being fostered by Elizabeth and family.
To date the veterinary bill for Hoppy is $7583.57. More veterinary treatments are required as is more money (PoC donated $20 by PayPal).
The major costs are related to three surgeries of (a) removal of his right eye (b) removal of his teeth (all of them it seems) and (b) removal of a tumor in his chin ($1,500).
In addition Hoppy is FIV positive. He has improved hugely with all the tender loving care and expense, which is wonderful.
I think it is fantastic but….I have asked myself this question (and I believe others might ask the same question): Would this large sum of money have been better spent in saving and helping the many rather than one?
I am not saying I agree with that question. It just needs asking. In any other environment or under other circumstances such as in a shelter he’d have been euthanised. That does not mean it is right to do that. It just means that with limited funding choices and priorities have to be made.
Elizabeth did have to make some big decisions. For example the decision to remove the chin tumor had to be made carefully to ensure that enough of the jaw remained for Hoppy to eat normally. Otherwise his quality of life would be so poor that euthanasia would have been the better choice. Incidentally, Elizabeth sought a second opinion about his chin. At one time it was thought to be acne (dermatologist appointment cost $239.00). A feline dentist recommended a second opinion. On her first look at it, Dr Buerger DVM said she thought it was cancer.
Demonstrating the typical stoicism and resilience of cats, Hoppy was grooming himself within a day of the operation on his chin.
This is a great story of valuing the domestic cat. It is a fine example of that. Each cat has equal value. This cat wouldn’t have had a chance almost anywhere else.
I have always liked the idea of “Photographers for Animals” – using photography to improve the lives of animals. I guess it is based on the maxim that a picture is worth a thousand words.
You said, “I am not saying I agree with that question. It just needs asking.” Why does it need asking? If I choose to spend that or any amount to keep a loved one alive, who has the right to question my decision about what I do with my money?
That question needs asking only by the person who is making the decision, IMO. It is nobody else’s business.
I hope I am a good guardian for my cats.
Thanks for the kind support__
Michael, Michele and Sandra.
Michael-I waited too long with a cat in the past also, And we both know how the pain lingers forever from that decision.
Good luck to everyone with an older pet or one in poor health; or one who has sustained any injuries.
Ftnt: Please-Keep fresh water out daily for your cats.as the dehydrate rapidly without water.
A wise person reminded me once that your pet does not know it is dead. You are the ONLY one mourning the death. Keep this thought in mind if it is time to say goodbye. It will make doing the right thing much easier for all concerned. Thanks everyone* Eva
About Theo_ I meant to add that she has some Bobtail genes and that resulted in her having short legs-She also must be on antibiotics for inner ear infections { the left ear as it has always been with her. These infections go hand in hand with upper respiratory problems and can affect the sinus cavity-mouth and throat health.
When she is on amoxicillin [ 13-days regimes]-I give her forte-Flora to balance her natural intestinal bacteria.She is given wet food daily to keep her fluids at normal level. I have to bathe her twice a week and shave her in certain areas; since she cannot clean herself. It is clearly obvious that I Love her.
Wow, you do indeed love her. Love through actions is far more valuable and meaningful than love through words or even expenditure (if you have lots of money).
I have four cats, which are maine coons. They have genetic health issues and other problems as a result of poor veterinary procedures. My Mama cat Theo is 11 years of age-her girls are 10yrs. Theo is a 24/7 full time feline and under care daily for ongoing upper respiratory, cystitis twice, bladder infections a few times per year and problems with her weight.Although She gets around well, her legs are short with a large body due to bad surgery and a hormone imbalance. I treat her each day with the proper medications and take my cats out twice a week under supervision. Her girls are of normal weight and they are not overfed.
This week I have considered my choice of either keeping her around or taking other measures with her vet. to euthanize her. This is not at all about my husband or myself wanting to hold on to our beloved Theo. This decision should always be about the animal and his or her quality of life in the long run.
I will do only what is best for her.I truly Love Theo.
ftnt: I have raised animals for over 35-years and have no reservations about putting one down and releasing them from their pain and misery.This decision is not always about $. { not with me ] But the cost of keeping one alive just because we don’t want to say goodbye-is sometimes a much, much greater cost to the animal.
It seems that you are a wise and devoted guardian.
Eva, you make a very important point in the last sentence. It can be harder to decide to euthanise in the interests of your cat than keep on going with treatments. There is a right moment to do it. It is a very hard decision. It takes experience. I wonder if the people in the article are making the right decisions. Only they know.
I have been through 2 euthanasias and on the first I feel I waited too long and learned from that.
Eva, I’m so sorry to hear about Theo. You’re right, money does not come into it when we’re talking about quality of life over quantity. Sometimes all the money and treatments in the world just cannot restore them to good health or a pain free life.
I have to agree with your question about wouldn’t it be better to use this amount of money to help many rather than just one?
This is where emotions unite with financial ability. If someone connects to an animal, and has the funds to provide unlimited medical care, they will do whatever it takes.
On the other hand, many beloved animals aren’t cared for, even if the amount needed is rather small, because the guardian can’t afford it.
We seem to value life at any cost, that we can manage.
There is an organization here in Sonoma County called BrightHaven. They provide medical care and prosthetics, in addition to a home for all kinds of animals (cats, dogs, horses, pigs, rabbits, etc)
who are old, infirm, crippled, blind and homeless for one reason or another.
It amazes me how much money is spent on these animals. After they die, they lie “in state” surrounded by flowers, candles, beloved toys, etc.
And, usually a story follows their death.
I believe their is a book out, or forthcoming about BrightHaven’s animals by Gail Pope.
It is about funds available at the end of the day. There is also commitment. Some people will balk at spending a few hundred dollars of vet fees even if they have the money. They put it off until it is too late.
For me, it’s funds available at the end of the month, since I’m on a fixed SS income, and my living expenses are pretty consistent.
When my cat had to go to the vets so many times in the past few months, family and friends came to my rescue when I thought my only choice was to euthanize. I didn’t even ask for help.
People who have the money, but won’t use it to help their pet, seem selfish, and may not see themselves as “guardians”, but as “owners” of a pet “object”.
I agree it is a measure of the difference between caretaker/guardian and owner.
How one responds to heavy expenditure when your cat is very ill is a test of our values.
Just curious, is it not considered P.C. to call ourselves “owners”? Or is the “caregiver” tag an American one?
I always refer to myself as the owner of my cats (as does my vet), because I take ownership of the responsibility of caring for them.
I always considered myself my cat’s owner, until I was corrected by someone in my “StrayPetNetwork” group. She and other people believe that if we see ourselves as “owners”, it objectifies the pets.
I can kind of understand how the language can make a difference in some ways. I don’t see myself any differently now that I refer to myself as a “guardian”.
But these two words mean different things, and maybe if people hear the word “guardian” they will begin to integrate that meaning into their behavior. (If they hadn’t before.)
I’m not sure about the effect, but I do know that when we identify people in a more respectful way, it does make a difference, at least to them.
Since animals don’t know any better, it only matters how they’re treated, not so much what we call ourselves.
But I do think it’s a move in the right direction, and I try to be aware of words I use, and the effect they may have on others. Does that make any sense?
I prefer to use ‘caretaker’ and ‘guardian’ rather than ‘owner’ as we don’t own cats morally but we do legally. Also ‘owner’ indicates a hierarchy and I prefer to see cats and humans on the same level.
I like the ‘ownership of responsibility’ idea but it is indirect. Most people use ‘ownership’ to mean having legal title to a possession.
That said I sometimes use ‘owner’ because everyone else does!d
Just a thought, if we abandon the word “owner”, shouldn’t we also stop saying “my” cat 😉
I’m being cheeky, I know, but I do agree with Sandra’s comment
“Since animals don’t know any better, it only matters how they’re treated, not so much what we call ourselves.”
You raise some interesting questions as usual 😉 . I don’t think ‘my’ connotes ownership. For example, ‘my partner’, ‘my husband’ – these definitely don’t imply ownership. As for animals not knowing what we call them and what matters is how we treat them, I agree with that. However, I believe that people might or should treat their cats better is they don’t think of them as being owned but as partners. Using ‘caretaker’ or ‘guardian’ should help promote the idea of equality and partnership rather than hierarchical ownership. A lot of the cat welfare issues arise out of “it’s only a cat” (implying ownership and we can do as we please).
I know the amount is high! But .. what would you do to save/protect what you care about! It shows what lengths someone will go to help another, regardless if they are human or not. It’s all in the capacity of how much you have “compassion & love” and your desire to do most anything. When my little guy was diagnosed with progressive kidney disease in 2012 (my vet bill was $1200 for initial care & treatment). I didn’t have the full amount at the time and had my brother-in-law/sister help and another sister helped too. Actually it was.. I had only $200, borrowed $300 from my 1 sister, $700 from my other sister/bro-in-law. Even tho it took my almost 5 mths total to pay them back. Anyway .. Shadow was only given 1 to 1 & 1/2 yrs at most (and was on special food & medicine that was more costly during that time). On his last day .. Mar 8/13 he could not move his rear legs. While my sister spoke with the emergency vet clinic on the phone I watched over him in my bedroom. He was on my bed and trying to move around..dragging himself across the bed on his front legs. I had to go to the washroom, and even tho he always would follow me where ever I went..I told him to stay. I was in the washroom when I heard a thud. Ran back into the bedroom and he was on the floor. He still wanted to be with me and I guess tried to follow. I really didn’t have the $$ and had no idea why he couldn’t move his legs. My sister was going to help with his vet care and I would pay her back like before (the one that loaned 300 before). Anyway .. at the vet..which ended up being another $600+. Said that no matter what they did..the quality of life for him would only be worse. I would have paid any amount to help him..no matter how long it took to pay back. The vet recommended the best thing to do was let him go. I was crying so badly ..and my heart ached for doing what I had to do. I loved him dearly and didn’t want to do it. But..the look on his face made me decide. Would I have paid more $$$ .. YES!!!! If it would help him..still be with me. I had my little guy cremated..and he’s with me that way..but I WISH he was still alive with me. I still miss him and will often cry because of that. He’s been gone just over 2 yrs now. ** Mar 8/13**
Phew, your comment touched me and brought a tear to my eye. You were awesome. When push comes to shove we have to dig deep into our pockets. There is no other choice.
There is a lot of stress caring for a very ill cat and then when the vet says it is best to let him go all the built up tension floods out in a stream of tears. They don’t stop for years.
Thanks for a moving comment.