I feel sick. Just had to take a stray cat to the RSPCA/Vets

[LordSplodge]

I feel physically sick.

Lat night a stray came in through the cat flap. Obviously in some distress, so we let it sleep on a cushion in the kitchen overnight.

Upon inspection in the morning it was clear something was wrong. The poor thing was bleeding from the mouth and would not eat. We have three cats and it pains me to see an animal in pain. The other cats didn't get on with it so some quick action was needed.

Phoned the local RSPCA. Closed! I knew there had to be somebody there as they have animals on-site so I put the cat in one of our cat baskets and walked down the road. They then told me they could not take it as it needed vet treatment! I said what do I do? I cannot see this animal in distress. So they said take it to the nearest vets and hand it over, they will treat him and attempt to house him. So off I walk back home causing more stress to the cat.

I have to shoot off to a Doctors appointment. When I get back the cat has gone. Now I know it needs treatment and I go and find it on the green outside our back garden. So, covered in his own wee I pick him up, mount the cat carrier on my cycle rack and take him to the vets. They moan about the RPSCA and take him in. Poor sod I hope he makes it.

So here I am at home feeling close to tears. I have done all I can but somehow it does not seem like enough.

Some days you are the statue, some days the pigeon. Looks like Ceiling Cat is choosing to **** on me today.

 

[LordSplodge]

Even the damn vets moaned at me!

"Don't the RSPCA know treating strays costs?"

Shut up and treat it!

Had we have had the money and space in the house to keep it...

Instead I have to spend half a day running round with a distressed cat that is obviously suffering because I am being passed from pillar to post.

I am royally ****ed off and I hope he makes it!

 

[LordSplodge]

You did what you could though

Yes, Gilly, I did. Doesn't seem enough though.

 

[LordSplodge]

Don't worry about it, you couldn't have done anything else. You did the right thing

Can you go back to the vets to see how it's getting on?

Yeah. Got to go back later to get our cat basket back.

 

[LordSplodge]

You don't take sick strays to the RSPCA, you take them to the PDSA - that is why the PDSA was founded, to provide free vet care to pets with owners who cannot afford it or stray animals. They would have taken it in.

But, PDSA hospitals are far and wide; given your circumstances I think you did all you could.

I have never been in this situation and assumed I'd just need to ring the RSPCA. I had a cat in distress I was also upset and distressed and it seemed like I was going to be kept being passed from pillar to post whilst the poor cat got worse and worse.

I have to say I am very disappointed at the RSPCA

 

[LordSplodge]

Thanks for all the support guys. I feel a little better now.

 

[LordSplodge]

Know how it feels mate

You did the right thing and should be proud, as most others wouldn't. If you're like me you'll be still fretting over it regardless of the kind support of OcUK. Let us know how the cat gets on.

/respect.

I am restless and cannot seem to focus. Going to raise a few glasses to the little bugger tonight.

My misses did a few days in a vet last week since she is wanting to do vetenary nursing at uni. Sadly she was saying if the RSPCA won't fund the treatment because it costs too much, they just put the animals down. When she was there a cat was brought in with a boken hip, it cost too much to fix so sleepy time went Mr Cat.

Definatly good on you for doing the right thing though, many people wouldn't have bothered. You will get 50 cat virgins in the afterlife now

So much for the RSPCA's remit then.

 

[LordSplodge]

The rspca don't have bottomless funding (because they rely on people, and how many of the people here are a member, or donate? I know I dont.), and a lot of what they do is stopping animal cruelty in homes, and cleaning up after environmental disasters. Vets may be obligated to treat wildlife, I don't know about strays though. Vets and RSPCA have to draw a line on what they can and cannot do, or they'd be out of money stupidly fast.

You did well to look after the poor guy

I appreciate that the RSPCA is reliant on donations but the whole attitude kind of stunk. I also understand veterinarian surgeries have to make money, however stuck between the two was a frightened, poorly cat who's only "crime" was to be abandoned.

Circumstances meant we could not take him in under our wing so, unfortunately, he had to be tossed into the wind of fate.

At least if he is put down I know that me and the wife did all we could to help the little guy out.

 

[LordSplodge]

Was just thinking the same.

Bad news, I am afraid.

The vet said he was too far gone and had to be put to sleep.

 

[LordSplodge]

Damn, that sucks. At least it suffered less than it otherwise would've.

Did they say what the problem was?

No, but I suspect something like internal bleeding...