I Have a Question..........

farmmaid · #1 02/01/15, 04:41 PM

Today is Sunday.....went to check on a friend who is birthing goats for the first time. Long story.... went back 30 minutes later to help her deliver twins. I have been mentoring this family and they have been sooooooo grateful as in putting LOTS of blueberries in my freezer and honey on the shelf. As I was packing up my birthing bag at their house, I get a call from another person who I sold goats to 4 years ago her doe in labor, one foot back. Told her what to do but she wanted me to come....I am @ 15 miles away. So I get there and all is well, triplets. A thank you and I come home. This second person has me there often.

Question: I am thinking about charging her $30 a visit. I have been delivering kids and lambs for 40+ years, can do all a vet can do but operate. When I sold the second person the goats 4 years ago I said I would be glad to do shots etc. for a year. She is very irresponsible with her breeding, young bucklings breeding doelings........So I drove all the way to her house for nothing today, she never called to say all was well and I could turn around and go home. Really getting tired of this, I LOVE to help people but my time is worth something and gas is not free. What would you do?

The first family is a barter situation but the second is a "thank you".

**mygoat** · #2 02/01/15, 04:49 PM

I'd let her know how you feel. Ask for at least gas there and back. A vet farm call starts at like 60.00 for an exam and then usually 120.00 per hour for a farm call. I usually let people know how I feel about their management choices especially when it doesn't go well for them... :P She'd have less problems/emergencies if she'd fix her management.

Lady89 · #3 02/01/15, 05:57 PM

if i were you i would at least ask for gas from the 2nd (as the first family is barter) you are doing her a big favor by coming out and no small favor by just asking for gas a vet would charge a lot more

billinwv · #4 02/01/15, 06:15 PM

Careful how you charge. If you po a vet in the area they can turn you in for practicing veterinarian medicine without a license. Serious charge. A local vet got mad because my groomer organized a transport to a low cost clinic for spay/neuter and had them pick up in our parking lot. He turned me in to the state board for selling aquarium antibiotics for people to use on their pets. Amoxicillin, metronidazole, ampicillin, etc. have been available for aquarium use for years. Before y2k people were buying them in 100 count bottles for their "prepper" hoard. I sold hundreds of amoxicillin and knew they weren't for fish. I didn't recommend it or give dosage info. That was all that saved me from a huge fine.

motdaugrnds · #5 02/01/15, 06:35 PM

It is best to be honest about how you are feeling. You can do this in a kind manner and even ask her what she would do were the situation reversed. (Sometimes people just don't see past their own noses unless you set it up so they can.)

dozedotz · #6 02/01/15, 07:09 PM

I wouldn't want you to get into any trouble!! But she sure is taking advantage and that is not good for her either...not just you. She needs to be told as honestly and kindly as possible with no shouting or cursing that her management is at fault for some if not all of the problems she is experiencing. You could offer a "free" afternoon of instruction for hoof trimming, etc., but other than that she needs to understand that everyone learns the goat care procedures by "doing." You are a very nice person and you know where nice people finish...right? LOL! Time for this "friend" to grow up.

lovinglife · #7 02/04/15, 01:32 PM

It has been 4 years, I would just say, I'm really sorry but I am busy.