It is not unethical, it is perfectly reasonable. Normally no required but I have a hunch this isn't the first time this has happened, maybe not with the cat in question but if the vet has had many non-payments before and lost money then they will be forced to use such measure as standard. Probably some good discussions with the vet would help such a situation.
It is not theft, it is legal possession. The £20 a day will be a standard rate for housing a cat for a day is pretty cheap in comparison.
For whatever reason, they don;t think taht is likely.
Things like small claims courts are difficult and even if you wn, it is extremley difficult to get money back if they don't wont to pay.
As quoted, yes you can. Many industries do it.
http://www.rcvs.ac.uk/Templates/Int...tNodeID=89642&int2ndParentNodeID=89737#unpaid
Humans and animals, apples and oranges. One has independent rights, the other is property.So you would be fine if a hospital imprisoned you until your cheque cleared? Running a business involves certain risks which you must fully accept when entering into the trade.
And what qualifies you to say this? You'll be surprised just how expensive taking up a cage in a manned veterinary surgery is (more expensive per cage than in a veterinary hospital). It doesn't cost you £20 a day to live because you do not need to pay for business insurance, medical practitioner insurance. You do not need to pay staff to look after you. You do not need to rent or heat a business premise. You do not need to be fed and watered by someone else. You do not need to to have your mess cleaned up by someone.never mind a cat.
Vets are not charities - they are businesses, so of course it is about the money.Whether it's legal or not it's not a nice thing to do. Sounds like money is far more important to the vet than the animals themselves. I know some people will say it's only a cat but it is a little life all the same.
So you would be fine if a hospital imprisoned you until your cheque cleared? Running a business involves certain risks which you must fully accept when entering into the trade.
It doesn't cost me £20 a day to live, never mind a cat.
Why compare it to a human, humans as we should have far far more rights.
Of course it costs you £20 a day to live. Rent on it's own is probably more than £10 a day + bills + food. And that's for a cheap way.
This is a specialised service with many over heads and trained vets.
Humans are ot cats so any argument based on relating humans to cats is null and void.
You may be able to live for £20 a day, but I doubt you can live in a hotel, go out for meals 3 times a day, pay for someone to clean up your mess, and supervise your health conditions and safety 24 hours a day, have insurance and related running costs all covered for £20.
Vets are not charities - they are businesses, so of course it is about the money.
Rent is £55 a week inclusive.
Ethically it's the same.
Since when did business care about that, just look at debt collectors, banks and the like..
Okay i get the cat needs looking after and im not disputing the actual cost but surely a vet would understand that if you cant afford the lump sum as it is adding an an extra £140 a week is not going to help at all!
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Perhaps the vet has had a hard time with people skipping out on bills...
With any business there is an inherent financial risk, doesn't justify unethical practices though.
With any business there is an inherent financial risk, doesn't justify unethical practices though.
Business has to manage those risks. If people keep skipping out on fees, then you can expect action to be taken.
Would it be more ethical turn have turned the cat away rather than help it? That is the other alternative to avoid non payment by 'high risk' people.
Would have been more ethical just to invoice the person which is what happens when I go to private hospitals.