HELP’S AT Hand, by North
Shore Community Services
(NSCS), is a forum for discussing
government policies and pro-
grams, benefits, consumer and
legal rights, taxation and public
services.

Answers are imended only as a
general guide and should net be
applied to individual cases without
further, consultation.

Question: We have a five-year-
old cat who is loved dearly by our
family. Recently he had io have
an operation quite suddenly and it
-- COSt. US ‘a lot of money. Because it
happened’ so quickly we felt that
we.really didn’t have the time to
consider other options.

We felt uncomfortable agreeing .
to'such a big bill without thinking

‘jt over.;Can you make any sug-
gestions for how we could have
handled this differently?

Answer: As you have noted, it
is notthe best’ idea to make  fi-
nancial decisions. under pressure.
In.-this ,case,,. your. decision’ was
probably | further. “complicated. by-
your, :contern: for. your Pet's .
well-being .

There: will - obviously ‘be times
when. we do not-have an opportu- -
nity to: think over our financial -
decisions, ‘‘shop. around’’: for
other, “prices, or do. any of the
other things we might normally do_
before: making a financial com-
mitment. 95 225.

That ™ is « not" te: say that you
shouldn’t take:some time to‘ con-
sider. the situation. -

Ifthe’ iliness is not_an emergen- -

‘cy, it‘is appropriate.to ask for an
explanation of.all the possible op-
tions and a written estimate of the.
charges. : '

A good: veterinarian won't mind. °
explaining the procedures or other,
possibilities. to you:

‘Take. some ‘time: to think - them
‘over,. discussing the various -out-
comes of: the. procedure. Try and °
be clear about a reasonable finan-
cial commitment you can make.

‘Most. ‘pet’ hospitals will - allow
you ‘to pay your bill over a short
period ‘of time, | with. post-dated: .
cheques..  -

If you decide that the costs ‘are
beyond your means, keep in mind
that the Society for the Prevention
of: Cruelty to Animals. (SPCA)
does ‘operate an emergency service
for sick and injured animals.

They also provide low-cost
spaying, neutering and vaccination
services .for dogs and cats. For
further information, ‘contact them
at 879-7721. In emergencies, call ©
879-7343.

" In: the. future, try to take | all
possible steps to-avoid having to:
make a decision under pressure.

For one thing, remember that it:
is best to choose a doctor when
your animal. is healthy. This. way
you and your pet will have estab-
lished a ‘relationship with the
-veterinarian. and you will feel
more. trusting if and when you
have to make a major decision.

Preventive care, such as regular
vaccinations and annual checkups,
will help to» prevent medical.
emergencies.

Medical insurance for pets is
available and this may be an op-
tion for you. To our knowledge
there is only one pet insurance
plan available in B.C. The in-
surance package includes sickness
and accident coverage with a $50
deductible fee.

As with any insurance policy,
be sure to read the fine print and .

‘LIONS GATE
HOSPITAL

A Caring C Community
“Calendar

carefully consider whether the in-
surance plan is financially advan-

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The B.C. Veterinary has information on pet insurance,

sofas, $1599. chairs, $899

SEDATE)

financial assistance from

This column is prepared with Notary Foundation.

A great opportunity to own fine quality home furnishings at great reductions.

Bedroom & occasional tables, sofas, love seats, chairs,

685-8414 |

1080 Mainland Street
at Helmcken
Downtown
Vancouver, B.C.

. June 1-13

1&8 The Asthma Education
Program runs Tuesday nights from
6:00-7:00 pm. Designed for all ages,
the program is limited to 4 people
per session. To pre-register call 984-
3722.

°F The Diabetic Day Centre is look-
ing for people with diabetes to par-
ticipateina research proket tostudy

CANADA'S LARGEST THOMASVILLE GALLERY

the effects of miglitol, a new oral
medication. Candidates must have
type I diabetes (developed before
age 35) and be taking daily insulin.
For info call 984-5752.

1&8 The Breast Self Examina-
tion Teaching Clinic runs Tuesdays
from 4:30-7:30 pm and Thursdays
from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm. No physi-
cian referral required. For appeint-
ments call 925-1952.

The Rice Poster Bed
_- and Lady's Bed Step.
Queen & King Size 1/2 Price

our interior designer e
can make your interior
budget go farther

He'll save you a lat of costly
trial-and-error buying by tak-
ing the guesswork out of your
room ptanning. All it takes is
_ your good taste and his guid-
dance that's based on years of
professional experience.

435-5566
4240 Manor Street
Burnaby, B.C.

(Half a block west of
Sheraton Villa Hotel)

2&9 The Chemotherapy and

love seats, $1499.

Cancer Support Group meetings
have ended for the summer. Meet-
ings will resume again in Septem-
ber. For info call: Heather Boal at
984-3709 or Mona Rechner at 984-
5753.

8-13. Miss the free Public Forum
on Menopause at the Centennial The-
atre Centre? Watch panelists Drs.
Penny Ballem, Vera Frinton,Suzanne

the

Shaw Cable. Topics include psy- A

chological aspects and’ advance- j

ments in treatment.

Schedule:
June 8

June 10
June 11
June 12
June 13

8:30 - 10:30 pm
630-830 pm :
Nam-1 pm & 9-11 pm

5:00-7:00 pm"
7:00 - 9:00 pm