raising money for vet bills....

[ChilliPepper]

So we have been hit with some bigish vet bills lately, and Chilli is going to require trimmings every 10 weeks or so. So I am trying to be proactive about getting money set aside for his vet bills. I already work two jobs, so I can't really go out and get another one. I asked the vet today about putting him down and she said that if we could afford it, then she wouldn't. He still has so much spark and even at the vets wanted to get out and investigate and poop on her nice clean floor.
So I need to raise about $1000.00 to cover the next year worth of vet bills. I thought about selling baked goods at work and another office where I know the people. I could also ask the vet if they would sell it for me and just apply the money to my account.
Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[eroomlorac]

Dig around in your closets and see if you have anything you can sell on ebay or craigslist. Cancel anything you don't really need, like if you get a newspaper delivered, reduce your cable package, really scrimp on the groceries, drive less if possible. Believe me, I am an expert at pinching a penny until it screams.

 

[addictedtochins]

Selling baked goods doesn't really pay that much, there is a great deal of cost in the supplies and the risk of the product getting stale really fast. Maybe a car wash?
Trimmings every ten weeks mean just about 5-6 a year, why would apx. 5 trims cost $1000? Maybe you can find a less expensive vet, or question them about the high cost?

 

[mishellyshel]

i need to get my chins teeth trimmed & he is on constant medication plus the lifeline and various herbs that i give him and it does add up. i think 1000 is a good amount to have on hand in case you need xrays or any other "situations" arise. this year alone, i probably have spent about $2000 on Richie. But it was SO worth it......he is doing better than I could have ever hoped.
as for raising money, i agree about selling stuff on craigs list or have a yard sale. cancelling the extras. clip coupons. offer pet sitting services? barter with your vet. trade? for instance if you can sew perhaps someone who cant will trade you wood or other supplies. dont waste chin food & hay, give enough and if that is gone give a little more. if i think of more things I will let you know.

 

[ChilliPepper]

Trimmings every ten weeks mean just about 5-6 a year, why would apx. 5 trims cost $1000? Maybe you can find a less expensive vet, or question them about the high cost?

Today's visit was $180. We can save $45 if we just drop him off, no exam fee. I want to make sure I have enough for xrays if needed too. And that was figuring 6 trims, which I hope we can do 5, but it is up to Chilli.

 

[AZChins]

Do you think that maybe you should be looking into pet insurance for Chilli? That may be something to consider.

I'd probably be selling things I no longer use to save up money, like Carol said. It's so hard to earn extra money no matter what...I try my best to do it and I always fall short. It's just better for me to make sure I have the extra cash set aside at all times. Last year was very hard because at the end of the year around this time my vet bills were astronomical with everything going wrong in a three week time frame...awful, awful, awful. That wasn't a very good Christmas at all...

 

[mishellyshel]

that is a "little" high but if you trust your vet than you should stay with them. maybe because all he needs is a trim and you go so often perhaps you can work a better price??
i also have no clue what area you are in, so that may be a decent price for your area.
i think i pay $110 but that includes an exam, anethesia (which is the bulk of it!) and the trimming but i stay with richie while she does everthing so i never have to leave him.
his last trim was in early august and so far he is showing NO signs that he needs another one but when he does i will surely take him. i swear he is my spunkiest, most mischievious chinchilla! he amazes me. just this spring i thought i was going to lose him and now he is doing great. still on meds and handfed every day but he has started to nibble on food and now he can actually eat a piece of shredded wheat. keep up the good work and keep the faith......Chili may just surprise you. pm if you ever want to talk.

 

[starleomach]

The question with the teeth is it the roots growing up? in which case I hate to say it but if the roots are growing no amount of trimming will stop the growth, if it his front teeth out of allignment they can be trimmed at home by you

 

[ChilliPepper]

his teeth have no root points. his problem is that his upper teeth grow outward. If we can convince him to chew something, we can slow the growth. He chews pellets but no wood or hay.

 

[mishellyshel]

other things to try, my chin with malo will occassionally nibble is pumice, lava bites, loofah, shredded wheat. his bottom tooth keeps growing spurs and one of his teeth were pulled plus his jaw is misaligned, so i know it is hard for him to eat but he tries so hard! i put fresh pellets, hay, & wood in his cage each night with the hopes he will eat something!