Hi all, I guess I am type happy tonight, as this is my fourth letter to FML, but after reading issue 723, I really felt like I should add this to the "Vet vs. Owner/Shots" controversy that is brewing. First I am not on either side, Dr. Williams has made a few good points and so has Leonard Jaffe, I agree that vaccination by a vet has lower risk of side effects, and that has been stated earlier in Ann Davis's report on Distemper survey's. But I agree with Dr. Williams when he said: (not exact words) If the owner can't afford to take care of the animals then they shouldn't have them. But as we all know, human health care as well as health care prices for Animals are outragious! If the Vet's really care about the animals,....assuming that is why they are in the proffession in the first place, then why is this so? Why is there such a great mark up? One quick scan through my Jeffer's catalog just about made my eyes bug out. I go through it and go "I paid four times as much for that!" I agree with Leonard when he said that the lay person learns how to give shots to ourselves or loved ones, its happened for years, and this is on humans. not that animals are any less important, but humans tend to think that they are above animals. Most people who vaccinate their own pets are very health conscientious with their animals. They aren't backyard vets, or some red kneck using rusty or dirty needles. And they aren't people who are just trying to save a buck or keep a profit, they are just people trying to beat this badly operated price system. And after all even the vets start off uneducated. Well off my soap box......any way if any one is interested I have found a negotiable sollution to this problem, a 3rd option, and it has worked well for me, providing YOUR vet will go along with it, luckily mine has....(She truly does care about animals and not the money.) I buy the Vaccinations directly from the company at cost, and I take it in to my vet and she vaccinates them, I pay for the Needles, and her time, It comes out considerably cheaper, and all are happy. And The vet IS the one who is doing the Vaccination, so I could get the certificates if needed, and best of all.... I have beat this crummy system!!! well that is all I have to say! Good night! Michelle and The MASKeteer's:-) [Posted in FML issue 0724]