Update on Zack the cat: Surgery done, but not paid for yet

We first told you December 27th about Zack the cat — found by Jane, who has adopted him after being unable to find his original owner, and then discovered he had an injury that required costly surgery she couldn’t afford. WSBers answered her request for help, in a variety of ways, and Jane finally is able to provide an update:

I wanted to thank you all for your loving concern for Zack and for your donation. I was unable to raise enough money for Zack’s surgery at West Seattle Animal (Hospital) and they had to return those donations. I did make arrangements at Lien Animal Clinic at a lower cost for the surgery and if you would like to forward your donations on Zack’s behalf to Lien Animal Clinic, 3710 Alaska Street, Seattle, WA. 98126, it would be much appreciated.

Sincerely, Jane

After receiving that : The surgery has been done, but the bill hasn’t yet been paid. Zack’s leg was removed, and he was neutered. The donations that had been made through the previous clinic totaled about half the $1500-plus cost; those checks are being returned and Jane is asking the donors to please rewrite the checks to Lien (here’s its website) – and she is hopeful that more donations will be made to help cover the full cost. As we did following the first report, we would be happy to forward any e-mail to her if you want to correspond with her directly: editor@westseattleblog.com

28 Replies to "Update on Zack the cat: Surgery done, but not paid for yet"

  • Sue January 6, 2009 (11:34 am)

    Thanks for the update – I was just thinking about this earlier and wondered what ever happened to Zack. I hadn’t donated yet because I’d been waiting to hear which clinic she was going to go with. I’ll be happy to donate now to Lien. Is there any account number, or do we just tell them it’s for “Zack”?

  • caselli78 January 6, 2009 (11:34 am)

    Got my check from West Seattle Animal Hospital. I will transfer the money over to Lien, but I’m afraid others may not. Not trying to be negative here, but this is *not* how you get people to donate to your cause.

  • Ken January 6, 2009 (12:10 pm)

    I know which animal clinic will be getting my business in the future.

  • msmanners January 6, 2009 (12:30 pm)

    Caselli78 – your comment still came across snippy. Any time you need to preface a comment with “Not trying to be negative” it is a good indication that the comment is indeed negative and you know it.

  • Jen January 6, 2009 (12:44 pm)

    What’s the deal with WS Animal Hospital? We started there with our dog years ago, did not like the vibe at all, moved to Lien and loved it. I guess I’m not too surprised by this turn of events based on our past experience with them and those of some friends, too, but really!!! I will send a donation as well …

  • WSB January 6, 2009 (12:52 pm)

    Re: this line of comment – Just one thing here. Jane’s original note was that Zack was at the WSAH and she wanted to have donations sent there if anyone could help. You could say I opened the can of worms by suggesting that if anyone had any other ideas they could route e-mail through us – Jane didn’t ask us to make that request – we just had a feeling some people would want to know more about the situation or offer ideas – and indeed, that’s what happened. I believe the clinic change happened after that. I don’t know the cost difference and have to be honest that today I don’t have the time to check, but WSAH is certainly welcome to participate in this discussion if there’s anything they want to say. It might have been ideal if Jane had simply said she had a cat that needed help, and not brought a provider into it at all in the first place, but really, think of what might happen if you ever had to ask for help publicly and had never done so before … you might not go about it the ideal way either … but at least you asked. If anyone has a concern about WSAH, I would suggest calling to inquire directly. Just a word from your host. Thanks.

  • JT January 6, 2009 (12:59 pm)

    I’m so glad Lein worked out for you and Zack is being taken care of. That’s the way a family vet should respond to a crisis. I had the same experience at WS Animal as Jen. Attitude! Am disappointed they refused care without full payment up front. They lost my business years ago. Keep us posted on how he’s doing.

  • Renaissance Red January 6, 2009 (1:26 pm)

    I’m so glad to hear that this kitty is well taken care of. He’s very blessed to have found a new owner to go through such great lenghts for him, that this injured animal has been helped and will live a full life.
    Thank you Jane for opening your heart.

  • lenamegan January 6, 2009 (1:32 pm)

    I wish Zach a quick and full recovery! I am always amazed how well animals do with three legs. Lien has an office cat with three legs, Peggy, and many of their staff have adopted three legged animals who came in from animal control with very bad fractures. It was always fun to see the multiple three legged dogs playing together at staff meetings:-)

  • Meghan January 6, 2009 (2:58 pm)

    I’m so happy for Zack and proud to be in a community where people come together for something like this. I don’t know the specifics of this situation (like everyone else posting comments), and I can only speak for myself, but I have been taking my pets to WSAH for many years and have had nothing but good experiences. I haven’t encountered any “attitude” other than good service, caring and compassion. When I had to put my beloved cat to sleep several years ago there, they couldn’t have been nicer or more comforting. And when my dog had a recent health situation, they saw him within the hour. I guess we each have our own unique expectations and experiences.

  • AlkiRagdoll January 6, 2009 (3:24 pm)

    I echo the positive comments about WSAH. Their Drs saved my precious Ragdoll on two different occaisions (I adopted her at 3 yrs and found that she had a decaying ovary that had been left in from a botched spaying by the prior owner’s vet… it sort of exploded when WSAH opened her up to remove it). The prior owner gave her up for adoption due to going into heat after being spayed. A year later WSAH diagnosed a very rare bladder infection that had her in misery. These are dedicated Drs, and just couldnt afford their overhead at JeffSquare and do the surgery for half price. They called me yesterday about my donation, and were very kind in refunding my credit – they only had kind words to say. I will go to Lein (never been there before) and will make my donation there. Sooo glad to hear Zack has had the surgery. I am so proud of Jane for reaching out to the community and getting help – rather than abandoning this cat.

  • j January 6, 2009 (4:15 pm)

    We absolutely love WSAH and will continue to support their business. I don’t know what the situation is that prompted them to not be able to do the surgery, but these are compassionate people who I trust the life of my dog and two cats with. To each his own I guess. I will drop by Lien. Jane you are amazing for giving Zack such a supportive home.

  • PSPS January 6, 2009 (5:45 pm)

    I have personal knowledge of this situation and can attest that the primary factor for choosing Lien was the lower cost. WSAH is an excellent vet as is Lien. It’s just that, in this case, cost was an important factor so Lien was chosen for the surgery. WSAH would have done an equally fine job.
    ~
    Please don’t take Zack’s situation as any kind of negative comment about WSAH. I, myself, have been to them (WSAH) numerous times and have found them to always be kind, talented and deserving of one’s business. The same goes for Lien. You won’t go wrong at either vet — both comprise the best vets in West Seattle and beyond.
    ~
    The primary concern here, of course, is good old Zack. He’s doing very well and, as a creature of habit, he’s getting used to his new reality as a tripod! As others have pointed out, cats adjust completely to the loss of a leg, and Zack’s no exception. I commend Jane for opening her heart to this sweet kitty who had this unfortunate situation thrust upon him. I’d hate to think of what would have happened to Zack if he hadn’t decided to “adopt” Jane!

  • PSPS January 6, 2009 (5:57 pm)

    Oh, and a followup: I’m also contributing financially to Zack’s medical bills and I want to say that I am truly touched to see how our little online community, with the indispensable assistance of the WSB “Town Crier,” can rally around our little animal friends when they really need it. You all deserve a pat on the back! This will all go in the “plus” column of your karma account.
    ~
    One of the tenets of my life is that you can judge the worth of a person by how they treat the weakest among us. On behalf of Zack, I want to say thank you all.

  • sassy January 6, 2009 (6:22 pm)

    PSPS – you are spot on.

  • Krystal January 6, 2009 (7:38 pm)

    PSPS, agreed. I have heard your statement about how one treats the weakest in several different situations today, it is so true.
    I will be donating to Zack tomorrow. Best of luck Jane!

  • JT January 6, 2009 (8:31 pm)

    Just to clarify my experience at WSAH, the support staff was always excellent and very kind.

    .

    What I didn’t care for was being assigned a different vet at each visit, so no one ever really *knew* my pets. Insisting they need to perform costly tests for things unrelated to my visit. Pushing prescription food and general animal care products unsolicited.

    .

    Wanting to remove benign cysts that subsequent vets ( Roxbury Animal Clinic and Pet Care Center) said were only necessary for aesthetics. Cysts were superficial and not harmful or painful. After one removal, the sutures tore and we were yelled at for allowing this to happen. Told there was NO way this could occur without us letting her run outside. Didn’t happen and we were brought to tears by the lecture.

    .

    Then there were the aforementioned financial concerns. Being charged for two physicals when only one dog was examined. The other was in the room and they insisted the vet literally looking at her and commenting, counted as an exam. The unwanted tests. Finding out the surgical fees (cyst removal) were more than double anyone else. As were the exam fees, lab fees, vaccinations, and maintenance medication.

    .

    All we were looking for was honesty. These surgeries were a genuine financial hardship. The *attitude* I was referring to was the guilt placed on us that we were irresponsible owners if we didn’t comply.

    .

    Why we didn’t speak up sooner and leave, I don’t know. Intimidated I guess. And I certainly hope it wasn’t us, as we’ve had excellent care at both Roxbury and Pet Care. Also had to use Lien for an emergency and they were beyond kind with all 3 having similar fees. So, I don’t know.

    .

    Guess that’s why there’s so many to chose from. We all have our unique experiences.

  • WTF January 6, 2009 (10:02 pm)

    My dog goes to Lien; awesome professional and loving doctors there! Rex and I are there for Zack first thing in the a.m. We’re “dog-people”, but more importantly, we are compassionate. Jane…YOU KICK ASS. :O)

    caselli78, bite me!

  • WTF January 6, 2009 (10:04 pm)

    P.S. People! Wake the hell up! This is not a vet office review. This is about Zack, the kind human who helped save his life and the talented vets who realize isn’t not ALWAYS about the money.

  • xoxo January 7, 2009 (9:58 am)

    Really? I thought this was an internet blog run by a community and we were free to comment as we pleased…
    I, too, had a bad experience at WSAH – also being charged a full visit charge for a conversation that happened in the WAITING AREA – never went back again.
    Although we don’t go to Lien, I know Dr. Larry King and his wife have a compassion for animals that runs deep. So glad it worked out for Zack.

  • WSB January 7, 2009 (10:18 am)

    To clarify, all are welcome to comment. This is not an “internet blog,” however, but a commercial, journalist-run neighborhood-news site that happens to publish in blog format (so much writing is happening in this format these days that the word “blog” no longer describes a type of content, only a publishing format), and we do have a few rules. They’re quite some distance down the About page
    https://westseattleblog.com/blog/?page_id=1246
    and we need to get them a better home; they’re pretty much the same as the Forum rules posted here:
    https://westseattleblog.com/blog/?page_id=9540
    To the point here, however, the side discussion about the clinics does not violate our rules; we haven’t, to this point, gone so far as to say that all comment threads must stay rigidly on topic. (Something completely unrelated and random, though, would be subject to review – usually that’s just the mark of spam, which our spam-catching system does a good job of nabbing, to the tune of 1 million-plus spam comments last year alone.)

  • Ms Pam January 7, 2009 (10:22 am)

    The bottom line is that Zach will now be able to have a long, happy and healthy life for what I hope is many many years to come! Kudos to everyone who made it happen!

    Jane, you are awesome!

  • caselli78 January 7, 2009 (12:34 pm)

    msmanners:

    It may be snippy but it’s not negative. Perhaps someone named “Ms Manners” needs a dose of cold, hard reality every now and then! You can’t sugar coat everything. The point is that when you need help, you do due diligence and THEN ask for the help (to make the help as easy to particpate in as possible). If you can’t handle that feedback, then step away from the keyboard.

  • goodgraces January 7, 2009 (1:27 pm)

    I thought it might be helpful to post some hard numbers here. I called Lien (our family vet, BTW, and yes, they ROCK). I wanted to know how much was still owing on the bill so that we could figure out how much we could afford based on what was still needed. Here’s what I learned:

    They’ve received approx $150 in donations BUT there’s still OVER $1175 owing. Folks, that’s a big chunk o’ change. With all the discussion on this thread, I thought the full amount must have been close to being raised. Not so. So, give generously if you can.

    I think I may start a thread in the Forums to catch other people who may not be reading the comments on this post.

  • caselli78 January 7, 2009 (5:25 pm)

    Yes, this is my damn point. We had raised $750 when I donated at West Seattle Animal Hospital. I’d asked them when I donated. I’ll get my cash over to Lien ASAP.

  • goodgraces January 7, 2009 (7:32 pm)

    Forgot to mention that Lien is taking donations over the phone — so if writing a check and getting it there is too much work, just give them a call: 932.1133

  • Teri January 8, 2009 (8:57 am)

    Thanks to Jane for taking in Zack and putting herself out in the public eye to help him. It cannot be easy to ask for help.

    WSB, once again you prove yourselves to be an invaluable member of our community. Without you, Zack and Jane would not have been able to garner such heartfelt support.

    To our wonderful West Seattle Community…you are just that…absolutely WONDERFUL! Hopefully we can all make our way to Lien this week to help out Zack and Jane.

  • Ms Pam January 9, 2009 (9:11 pm)

    In my past I have thought about how I would want people to react/treat one of my pets if the unthinkable happened and “they” happened upon one of my pets in a crisis. I hope that “they” would treat the “pet” in the way that “they” would want THEIR pet treated. Keep the torch burning. Do the right thing. You know what that is!

Sorry, comment time is over.