Kitty held at Vets till bills paid, 'interest' added daily. Help?

neoboy · 5 Sep 2010 at 17:45

Mr Jones said:
IIRC, that kitty is already on a payment plan after an op on her stomach due to an issue 6 months ago. I cannot confirm if the payment have complete, perhaps this was this problem thus the 'random'?

I would really recommend getting pet insurance for the seemingly accident prone kitty!

fadetoblack · 5 Sep 2010 at 17:45

twentyone said:
That's ridiculous but it's not the first time I've heard about something like that. Are they even allowed to charge the extra £20 every day?
Maybe it's listed in some fine print somewhere..

Has she asked if it's possible to come up with a payment plan?

Why's it ridiculous? Your late paying and the cat needs feeding daily also a nurse to clean its pen out. If you carnt afford to keep a pet then don't have one. Also try talking to the vets to pay a little bit of your bill off

Cosimo · 5 Sep 2010 at 17:46

Get her to ring the RSPCA and say her cat is stressed out by being kept hostage.

Seriously ask about a payment plan and tell them about her financial status as it may help. I somehow think they can keep the cat as she probably signed the cat away when it went in for treatment. You will probably have to pay the whole lot so get it sorted tomorrow.

PapaLazaru · 5 Sep 2010 at 17:46

This does not sound legal to me, but the simple fact is, that you need to stop the £20.00 a day fee as the longer the issue is left or investigated legally, costs are going to go up.

Sounds like a bloody nightmare to be honest but as has been stated before, pay them up then demand filthy favours from the Mrs.

d_brennen · 5 Sep 2010 at 17:46

Not sure of the legality of that. Morality wise... They're a vet not the mafia. Talk to them.

Get money, demand cat back, pay vet. In that order

Cosmic182 · 5 Sep 2010 at 17:46

If you help her out, it may pay in your favour...2 lots of pussy

Mr Jones · 5 Sep 2010 at 17:47

meghatronic said:
I assume you're used to staying in hotels for free?

No but for £20, I've stayed in B&B that offered Breakfast that filled me up for 2 meals a few times before.

jp_bl_68 said:
Is this legal? It doesn't sound like it to me. I think a jailbreak is in order.

If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire... The A-Team!

Ziggy said:
Burn the place down. Kill them. Kill their kids, kill their wives, kill their parents and their parents' friends. Burn down the houses they live in, kill the people that owe them money.

Put a smile on my face but from the looks of it, I'll step in and just work like a mad man for the next few weeks, and pray to whatever deity out there that can offer the swift return of my money.

Joshy · 5 Sep 2010 at 17:48

Burnsy2023 said:
Rather interestingly, that would be theft (amongst other things)

Of your own property? :confused:

matthewhotdude · 5 Sep 2010 at 17:53

I'll say it.

If you can't afford to look after a cat maybe you shouldn't have one.

Morlock · 5 Sep 2010 at 17:54

fadetoblack said:
If you carnt afford to keep a pet then don't have one.

Agreed. I feel sorry for pets who have totally irresponsible owners.

Kutter · 5 Sep 2010 at 17:54

crikey sounds a bit harse

neoboy · 5 Sep 2010 at 17:55

Joshy said:
Of your own property?

Wouldn't be any different to having your car fixed at a garage and then just driving off without paying, they provided you with a paid service for which you did not pay so you stealing that.

rebel rebel · 5 Sep 2010 at 17:55

Have a read of this.

Holding an animal against unpaid fees

17. Although veterinary surgeons do have a right in law to hold an animal until outstanding fees are paid, the RCVS believes that it is not in the interests of the animal so to do, and can lead to the practice incurring additional costs which may not be recoverable. This right should therefore only be exercised in extreme cases and after discussion with the RCVS.

Whatever the outcome they shouldn't be using this vet again.

JBuk · 5 Sep 2010 at 17:56

Is this even legal?

is there some kind of place that regulates vets that can be called?

Burnsy2023 · 5 Sep 2010 at 17:58

Joshy said:
Of your own property?

Yes, you can steal your own property.

neoboy said:
Wouldn't be any different to having your car fixed at a garage and then just driving off without paying, they provided you with a paid service for which you did not pay so you stealing that.

There is case law this exact situation.

^TANK^ · 5 Sep 2010 at 17:58

This is so unprofessional, the vets should release the cat back to your girlfriend. The outstanding bill should be collected via a debt recovery company or small claims court!

Mr Jones · 5 Sep 2010 at 18:00

matthewhotdude said:
I'll say it.

If you can't afford to look after a cat maybe you shouldn't have one.

Apologies if my OP left out some details but as said, it's the GF's mum that has brought this upon her family and my girlfriend is having to pay for almost everything these days. Just very bad budgeting from her mum IMO.

rebel rebel said:
Have a read of this.

Holding an animal against unpaid fees

17. Although veterinary surgeons do have a right in law to hold an animal until outstanding fees are paid, the RCVS believes that it is not in the interests of the animal so to do, and can lead to the practice incurring additional costs which may not be recoverable. This right should therefore only be exercised in extreme cases and after discussion with the RCVS.

Whatever the outcome they shouldn't be using this vet again.

Interesting to know and I'll make sure they don't use that vert again, or at least avoid it.

Deluxe1 · 5 Sep 2010 at 18:03

So she took it to the vets knowing she didnt have the funds to pay for its treatment?

A vets practice isnt a charity,if she knew she didnt have the funds she should have taken it to a PDSA centre.

Dmack · 5 Sep 2010 at 18:04

DirtyJester said:
Offer to leave food at the vets that way you wont be billed and you can bake a cake with a file in it ....

Quality

Morlock · 5 Sep 2010 at 18:04

Mr Jones said:
Just very bad budgeting from her mum IMO.

If you keep bailing her out, she will never change. Why should you eat baked beans and put your plans on hold because of her?