Funds 4 Members

[Baby5566]

I have an idea and hopefully it's good enough to work.

I think we should start a fund here at TB, basically for a few of our members who we all trust and love, people who have been here for a while and who cannot afford to pay for their vet bills, and take care of their birds.
Maybe Dave or Kim could start up a paypal account and we could donate to it over time. Dave or Kim would be handling it completely.
I know we have some members here who would do 100% better with their birds if they had the money. I would like to be able to help those members out there who need the help.
Maybe after the money is sent to them, they could show us a receipt or a vet bill proving that they used the money for what we wanted and make a few little birds happier.

[BirdieBabi]

That would be great! It is nice to think of others when they aren't able to get money they need.

This is so insperational! I can't wait to see if it happens!

[Baby5566]

It would have to be for a certain few members only. We could help buy them cages, toys, pay for vet costs, etc. I think it would be a world of good.

[zarrion101]

Yes it does sound good as long as it does go for a good cause. It sound a little risky but it might be a good thing there. ;) Good idea Liz. ;)

[Neely]

What a sweet idea!

[A-n-M]

Thats a nice idea. It can be something risky, but its such a good idea.

[Tiki<3Polly]

That is a great idea!, but it is SORT OF risky!

[BirdieBabi]

Yeah, it is risky, especially since, It is hard to send it to the person, instead of putting it through mail (which isn't always good)

But I love the idea. I wish, somehow, we figure out how to do it!

[C&C]

It's a fabulous idea! The only problem is that we'd have to have proof that the reciever acutally need financial help somehow.

[BirdieBabi]

Yeah...darn, There's really no way out of the risks!

[loserduck86]

This is a very sweet idea, but there is a large risk involved. I get the impression that it's some of the younger members who need the money. I don't mean to sound rude, but being able to afford the health care for the bird is part of the responsibility of owning a pet. What would that teach these members if we pay there way for them. Unfortunatly, it is the birds who will suffer the most, from either choice you guys make.

[Baby5566]

I understand the risk, that's why we would have a few members... 2 or 3 that we know on the forum that need the help. People who have been here for a while, have a bunch of posts, and we KNOW cannot afford things. Not just for anyone. We would not be "paying their way" only helping them out.

[SushiGURL]

THAT'S SO SWEET!! i will and would TOTALLY donate cause i know everyone here is a great owner no mater what!

[Bea]

The thing with the internet is that no one can proove they don't have the money. They could abuse peoples generosity and concern. If there was a way around this then it'd be a great idea. But really, with the young members in particular, the parents should be paying and not us.

[vicks080]

A downside would be strangers pretending to be broke. Did you know 75% of forum users lie?

[BirdieBabi]

Well, yeah, you'd need the proof. I'm sure it wouldn't apply for people who just started and saying theyhave financial issues. More like people who have been mentioning for awhile now

[Tiki<3Polly]

That is true vicks080! It's so upsetting! I would donate, but I am a kid myself, and I really wouldn't want a new member, who maybe just seen this post when they joined and started lying, no offense, but if it was sure prrof, then i woulod donate...:rolleyes:

[Meghanxx4]

This is a fabulious idea, although i agree with the others its kinda risky, i eman how would we know if they actually neeeded the money or just wanted the money. theres a difference.

Its also true with what bea said since you need a credit card mostly parenst would be th ones doing it not us, although what i do when i want something online is i sue my mom or dads credit car and just give them the money for the item. so if kids wanted they could always do that.

[Ruta<3]

Eh, It sounds like a sweet idea and all but people already donate to keep this site up and running. Also if people had money problems they wouldnt get a bird knowing they cant care for one. Therefore the money would either go to fakers or people who lack the knowledge to OWN a bird.

[Baby5566]

Like I said earlier, it would be for the members here who have been having money issues, people we know... People who can't afford to talk their pets to the vet. Not for any new people, but for those people.
Forget it then, no one is really reading what I'm saying. Maybe tomorrow everyone will have a clearer head and come back and read this again.

[Ruta<3]

I get what your saying now. Trusted members only!

I like your idea, wheres Dave and Kim when you need 'em?


Also: I think people who take the money might want to stay in the shadows.... some people might make fun of them. :(

[dotndani]

I for one do not agree.You only know these people thru here.You do not know them personally.Give them money????No way,you have to be responsible when you get a pet.
Sure it's a beautiful thought,but RISKY is putting it mildl!!
The posts I have been reading lately are ridiculous,and who knows if they are real.
When I stumble upon this forum I was overjoyed to get help,ask questions,and share stories of my budgie.Now it has turned into grade school nonsense.
If somehow this idea comes to be,Kudos for you all who make it work,but I will ot be part of it.
Sorry to rant and rave but this is something I cannot be involved with.

[Baby5566]

Dot- I understand what you mean.

[zarrion101]

Another a barrier we would have in our way is actually getting the money to them. You have to be 18 years of age to have a paypal account acording to the terms and conditions so it would have to be send out by post to the people who need when it's transferred from paypal.

Don't get me wrong I like the idea but i might too deep in our depth as a forum, I don't know. I can see loads of people would be willing to take part in this. :)

[redgirl]

It sounds good but I am not sure it would work really. I know its upsetting to know that many budgies on this forum dont get the help that is needed because of lack of money and everything but there is nothing we can do at all and its just so upsetting.

[Donna]

I think this is a sweet idea that you would be willing to help with Vet bills. What if the Vet bill was submitted to the forum directly from the Vet, with an itemized statement of what was done and then signed by the Vet? Then the money could be sent directly to the Vet's office. The person involved would not even touch the money. You could always check out the Vet's address and identity before the money was even sent.

I don't know though, this is pretty involved and I can't see Dave or Budgiekin wanting the responsibility of doing all of this. It's not like they have a paid position and want to take on more things. If they did decide to do this however, maybe this would be the way to go.

Donna

[zarrion101]

Well said Donna, I think you have the right view spot on. ;)

[Donna]

Thank you Zarrion. I know that sometimes people want to help alcoholics and people on the streets but to just give them money directly could be risky because the person could just go buy more alcohol and drugs etc. To take a person directly to a restaurant to feed them is a better way than just handing money over.

Or a person could buy groceries or clothes or something and give it to a person on the streets, also. This was just something that hit me all of a sudden and so I thought I'd mention it.

Donna

[loserduck86]

That's what I do, donna. I often talk to "less fortunate" people in the area. If they seem to be genuinly "down on their luck", rather than a drug addict, then I will use my employee discount at the hotel I work at to get them a room for 1 night. I make sure they take a shower, then take them to a barber. After that I buy them a decent meal and give them some of my clothes and offer to take them to fill out applications. I've done this twice now, and I get letters from one of the gentlemen monthly telling me how he has turned his life around. That's such a great feeling.

[Donna]

Oh wow, that is so very wonderful of you to do that. I bet you do feel good when you are finished. Can you imagine if more people did things like this (instead of only thinking of themselves) how many more lives would be touched and changed forever? We can't solve the needs of the whole world, but we sure can make a difference with an attitude like yours.

Thanks for being so special and for helping those in need. I was going to tell you that you would be blessed for this, but it appears that you already have been. There is nothing more rewarding than the feeling of knowing that you've made a difference in someones life.

Thanks for sharing your story. Maybe it will inspire others to do something to help those in need.

Have a great day!

Donna

[spike]

I think its a bad idea to be honest, there is no way of knowing that a person is genuine or indeed who they say they are, on the internet, unless several members have met them in person and can vouch for them.

The only way I could see it working is If the fund was going to pay a members vet fees, then the bill would need to be presented and the Vet paid directly, not the person. Likewise if cages were to be purchased , then a cage be purchased directly and shipped to the person.

Im not sure about other countries, but in the UK we have the PDSA who have clinics all over the UK they provide veterinary care for people who cannot afford it, the person pays a small voluntary donation to the PDSA , likewise the RSPCA have clinics. there is really no reason for an animal not to recieve veterinary care in the UK, indeed its against the law to withold treatment from an animal.

The internet is a funny place and people can pretend to be whoever they wish to be, whatever age they wish to be, we all have read of internet grooming for example where older preditors pretend to be teens, and of course people tell lies about their lives and situations sadly - how on earth would this funding be 'policed' ?

Ive donated to lots of rescues via the net, using paypal direct to their accounts, never to individuals. I think it is open to all sorts of abuse sadly.

[redgirl]

I think its a bad idea to be honest, there is no way of knowing that a person is genuine or indeed who they say they are, on the internet, unless several members have met them in person and can vouch for them.

The only way I could see it working is If the fund was going to pay a members vet fees, then the bill would need to be presented and the Vet paid directly, not the person. Likewise if cages were to be purchased , then a cage be purchased directly and shipped to the person.

Im not sure about other countries, but in the UK we have the PDSA who have clinics all over the UK they provide veterinary care for people who cannot afford it, the person pays a small voluntary donation to the PDSA , likewise the RSPCA have clinics. there is really no reason for an animal not to recieve veterinary care in the UK, indeed its against the law to withold treatment from an animal.

The internet is a funny place and people can pretend to be whoever they wish to be, whatever age they wish to be, we all have read of internet grooming for example where older preditors pretend to be teens, and of course people tell lies about their lives and situations sadly - how on earth would this funding be 'policed' ?

Ive donated to lots of rescues via the net, using paypal direct to their accounts, never to individuals. I think it is open to all sorts of abuse sadly.

Agree totaly with you on this hun, and yes we do have the PDSA and I think it is fantastic for people who cannot afford it. my friend took her dog to a normal private vets and it was going to cost her £168 for exrays and treatment etc and at the pdsa all she paid was £15. the minimum donation is a fiver but sometimes you have to pay extra for special things. Doesn't the states,Canada and Australia have any facilities like this xxx

[zarrion101]

What a good thing would be is if all vets did vouchers so that a voucher or discount for the vet care could be bought and that it could only be redeemable for care of the pet. I know this is not likely to happen but I reckon that is something that would fit in our case. :)

[BUUZBEE]

too bad all the vets didnt take paypal, then it would be a simply transaction. but all you would know then is that the $ went to the vet, not whether the person really needed it.
its a good idea, but i dont see it happening. theres too many ways it could be ripped off.