How Can I Persuade Her To Take Better Care Of Him?

Question

My Auntie owns a Westie called Bart that was given to her by a friend He has no shots, his fur has never been cut and his nail are overgrown, every time I email her about her reply is "I'm to poor for that" I'm in England and she is in Indianapolis so there isn't anything I can do about it except try to convince her. This is him http://www.flickr.com/photos/28492363@N06/2753813963/

Answer 1

I agree with the other poster that she or someone in that household can afford the Nike's.  They could have taken the dog to a mobile vaccine clinic one weekend for the same price.  The hair is OK, but he needs shots.  In the USA, dogs are required by law to have a rabies vaccine.  If you think he isn't being taken care of, you can pose as an anonymous neighbor and call the SPCA on her.  (Just watch what information you give them so that she doesn't know it was you.)  I'm sure someone would snatch him up very quickly if he ended up at the shelter.

Answer 2

you should ask her if she loves and cares about her dog then tell her about the risks and diseases he might get if he dosent get shots as for his hair tell her about Matt's!!!! and how pain full it will be for him to walk on his paws because of his nails and if she comes out with the lame excuse of "I'm to poor for that"tell her how she will fell when he dies.

Answer 3

The only thing I'd be really concerned with is the no shots thing. Is he often exposed to other dogs? Because that would be where the problem would lie. The grooming isn't well done, yes, but grooming has a nominal effect on a dog's health. And that Westie doesn't look very sickly at all.

If all else fails, she isn't too poor to give him up to better care.

Answer 4

if she can't afford to care for her dog, she'd better bring him to a shelter because she could get in trouble for animal cruelty. you really have to warn her or somebody does. is there anyone in your family that you can tell to tell her about this situation? if she can't afford these things, she is just torturing her dog.

Answer 5

The fur isnt bad. It's clean, and the dog can see--her grooming isnt terrible, and there are worse things than an undergroomed dog.

As for the nails, tell her to take him for a walk on cement--sometimes that can file down the nails--as can a nail file. That way, she wont have to worry about hurting her dog if she cannot afford to have someone else cut his nails.

For the shots-those are about $50-$100, and a good idea, not only for her dog. If she gets scratched by him and he *doesnt* have his shots--it can mean medical problems for her. If he bites someone (god forbid) w/o rabies vaccinations, big problems for her. Try to get that through her head.

Answer 6

My vet used to cut my dogs nails for peanutbutter cookies.  She would give me a break on my vet bills if I baked for her.  Sometimes you just have to ask.

Answer 7

the dog doesnt look that bad, maybe a little trim would do, and definitely needs shots, try talking to another family member that lives close to her and have them take care of the shots and stuff.

whats with these other dogs on your pics?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28492363@N0...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28492363@N0...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28492363@N0...

these dogs are severely underweight and dont look healthy at all, and it looks like one had a litter? you should worry about those dogs also.

you should call animal control on her neighbors thats ridiculous how those dogs look.

Answer 8

well from the looks of the picture, your auntie clearly isnt too poor to afford designer nike trainers. tell her to stop being a selfish sh*t. ways you could help would be to send her money or to pay the vet in indianapolis in advance and book the appointment urself and then all ur aunty has to do is take him there, and everything is already paid for. dogs rely on humans, not taking care of them properly is abuse. if she cant look after it she should give it to a shelter. also, u can clip ur dogs nails for free urself so thats a poor excuse!! good luck

Answer 9

tell her someone is gunna end up calling animal control around her area if when he gets to badly out of shape. what if he gets bit by a rabid animal? or gets distemper? both can kill a dog, and fast. if he gets rabies, i can guarantee she will too.  

Answer 10

Can you send her a gift certificate to a local vet or grooming parlor? Keep encouraging her to take better care of her pet. Are there other family members near by that could help? A local shelter may have someone who could help, especially if your aunt is older, low income.  

Answer 11

Call the ASPCA and have them come check the dog out