Source
r/Pets•
goblinish

Meta Can we get rid of certain posts?

Specifically posts talking about how "I have a sick/ dying/ injured animal. I can't afford a vet what can I do?" Automoderator could be set up when these posts are reported to respond with why they are removed and a link to care credit options as well as the importance of vet care for an animal. These are regular enough that the same things are being repeated again and again but it would be nice to have an official sub stance on those types of posts IMHO.

Posted Oct 6, 2017, 2:03 PM UTC

4236
_ataraxia•

this sub doesn't even appear to have active mods.

27
livermuncher•

I'd have to agree by the amount of repeat spam that shows up here. I often think "why hasn't this account been banned yet after multiple spam posts?"

9
itsmyotherface•

I think they're reactive, not proactive. After seeing and reporting a repeat spam offender, again, I DM'ed them and basically asked if they were going to do anything.

I did get a response back relatively quickly (in an hour or two)---asking for a link to the post. Because they apparently don't look over new submissions.

8
_ataraxia•

that's the place to start, then. this sub is not exactly high-traffic, we don't need automods and FAQs. we just need proactive mods.

5
goblinishOP•

I've seen somethings get removed so I know they are there.

5
Chouzard•

It also seems like every other day there's someone who gets a second cat without doing a second of research on how to introduce them. Then they come here complaining about why both their cats are pissed off because they tried to just throw them in a space together thinking they'd just magically sort it out.

15
itsmyotherface•

Also:

-What kind of pet should I get?

-What's the best food for my cat/I don't want to give my pet the prescription food my vet prescribed. (Which is always fun)

-My cat pissed on something. How do I clean it? (NO, DO NOT USE VINEGAR, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD)

-My cat is engaging in a totally normal cat behavior, but I think it's weird. What do I do?

17
goblinishOP•

SOme more

-What can I give my pet instead of the expensive meds the vet says they need.

-How can I make money breeding my pet (whom may or may not be purebreed, has no registration papers, no bloodwork......)

-I just got a pet on a whim what do I need to know and what does this thing eat and do I really have to get a cage as big as xxx won't a small aquarium do fine because I can get one of those for cheap.

13
_ataraxia•

fact of the matter is, a FAQ for an all-encompassing pet sub would be massive, and no one would read it anyway. it's better for people to just post their questions and receive responses.

6
goblinishOP•

Just because people don't turn to it automatically does not mean people cannot be directed there so others don't have to waste their time answering the same few dozen questions again and again. I also don't think it needs to be massive. Just the ones that get posted more frequently here. It doesn't need to be a general care list for all animals classified as pets.

3
mcnuggetskitty•

I've been giving the same advice for fleas for years (flea treatment from vet, avoid OTC brands, cut up a flea collar and put it in the vacuum and then vacuum the fuck out of your house, etc). I've started just copying and pasting at this point.

1
yampuffs•

Uh oh, I've definitely used vinegar to clean up pee. Dog pee, not cat pee, but I had no idea that was bad 🙊

2
itsmyotherface•

It doesn't hurt anything, but it doesn't break down the proteins in cat urine. It just masks the smell. Same for bleach.

3
mcnuggetskitty•

Good enzyme cleaners are our friend!

2
littlestray•

And bleach is a feline attractant, which can actually encourage repeat offenses i.e. this bleach-cleaned wee spot smells like an AWESOME place to pee more!

1
goblinishOP•

Yes! we could also definitely have a FAQ to direct people to. THings like how to introduce cats, how much does x pet cost, where can I get a .... (often exotic pet that is illegal in some places)? I found a wild or stray... what do I do?

At least then it would be a starting point Of course some of those will be more individual and might need more detailed answer, but it would be a good start I think.

7
itsmyotherface•

Problem with the exotic pet thing is that you'd have to link literally every single state's Department of Natural Resources and/or state statutes. ANd that's just for the US.

1
littlestray•

Here is a list of organizations which help with vet bills

Here's a Tumblr post on dealing with emergency vet bills full of resources

Here's another Tumblr post with veterinary financial assistance resources

I'd love it if the above could get linked to in the sidebar or stickied or something because I'm constantly copying and pasting it. There ARE resources for people with pets in tough financial straits, but people often don't know where to look. Asking your vet or local animal welfare organization (e.g. ASPCA) is a good start, as they'll likely know local programs, and vets can offer payment plans in more affordable bits over time.

The sidebar does begin with Please contact a veterinarian if you have medical questions or issues but it could easily include a page with resources, including the animal poison control hotline.

5
strawbeeMOD1 Mask&Mantle/1 Tuxedo - Cats•

Done. It's a start.

EDIT: I'm looking into the FAQs.

2
littlestray•

Thanks so much!

1
itsmyotherface•

OP--I think this just got deleted. It's not on the front page.

3
goblinishOP•

When I load up r/pets in an incognito page and no login I see it at the top of the front page of the sub. It would be sad if it got deleted because I think some good conversation has occurred here, but if the mods did delete it then that is up to them.

1
itsmyotherface•

NVM---Reddit sometimes glitches out on me, and will only show a cached version of a page. Usually refreshing works, but this time it took logging out and back in again. It is there.

2
NeedALittleSweetnessMaple&Rhonin (m/1/cats)•

I think having a bot that auto posts links from the sidebar that addresses these common posts would be enough. No need to close them if people want to chat but it would be a good way to get the info to everyone with the same issue.

Also care credit is a US thing. If they're in another country it wouldn't be very relevant.

2
fsamour•

Well, considering that Reddit is frequented by a lot of people suffering from depression, maybe those types of posts will never go away. To be quite honest, they make me extremely sad. Some people also just want some help, but I think /AskVet is the more appropriate place to talk about and injured dog.

-6
goblinishOP•

What does people suffering from depression have to do with making posts about an injured, sick, or dying pet that they are refusing to get medical attention for?

8
fsamour•

Well, depressed people tend to not be very proactive, maybe they just don't want to get out the house to go to the vet. That type of thing.

-9
goblinishOP•

That is not an excuse, and also not one that is commonly used when these posts are made. 90% of them cite specifically money, which yes is an issue for many people. Vet bills are expensive. However they are part of the responsibility of owning a pet and beign responsible for it's quality of life. When you get a pet you are responsible for ensuring you can care for it, even in cases of an emergency, or have a plan to ensure it gets the medical care it needs. Willfully allowing an animal to suffer is neglect and is incredibly inhumane regardless of if the reasoning is depression or money.

5
fsamour•

I totally agree with you. Maybe that's something we should always tell the people who make those types of posts. There could be some sort of disclaimer stating that.

1