Does my dog have any rights?

[RedViking]

Hypothetically speaking,

So if my dog is sick and it needs urgent help and I rush into the vet, but don't have money to pay upfront. Are they allowed to refuse to help me and my dying dog?

What if it is my goat? Does my goat have any rights or is the vet allowed to reject me and my beautiful dying goat?

Does my dog or goat have any other rights?

 

[Fulcrum29]

Everything you need to know is linked in here:

Untitled Document

 

[SAguy]

Hypothetically speaking,

So if my dog is sick and it needs urgent help and I rush into the vet, but don't have money to pay upfront. Are they allowed to refuse to help me and my dying dog?

What if it is my goat? Does my goat have any rights or is the vet allowed to reject me and my beautiful dying goat?

Does my dog or goat have any other rights?

I skimmed through this (https://www.savc.org.za/rules), but didn't see anything saying they can't refuse treatment in an emergency situation. Saw another online article or two saying that they can't refuse basic emergency treatment though - would be keen to know myself.

I know our particular vet stabilise injured strays that are brought in - we took a stray pitbull in that needed care and the vet wouldn't take any payment from us for her basic treatment.

Are you asking because you plan on giving your goat chocolate?

 

[thehuman]

Depending on the vet bill could ask to pay it off . If bill too high and goat suffering it could be a option to euthanize it.
Nephew cat wat bumped by car , vet bill was 15k i could never afford that.

 

[Zoomzoom]

I don't know too many vets who would flat out refuse to treat any animal in an emergency, but care would be basic - pain relief, no x-rays, or other treatments, and depending on the degree of injury could probably be talked into discussing euthanasia (at a price) right there and then. Or they may even suggest euthanasia.

There are a few after hours vet clinics for emergency care only and they used to charge a reasonable flat rate for basic care (stabilizing the animal and making sure it is pain free before taking it to your vet in the morning). I don't know what they charge these days, or if that option is even available to you.

The high cost of veterinary care is why there is pet insurance. Other options are the SPCA (income requirement), or the PDSA (they kind of object to people who clearly could afford a vet, but won't refuse to treat AFAIK).

The reality is that animals are a responsibility and that includes vet care which is expensive.