If you can't afford medical treatment we need to question whether or not we should get pets.
A while ago I paid £150 for my late guinea-pig to have an operation. The amount of people who laughed at me and told me I should have just paid less to have her put down, bought a new guinea pig and enjoyed the change left over! They were not joking! Isn't that sick.
When you take a pet on, you take on the commitment and promise to care for it and love it, as you would a child.
GAH! I think I would really struggle doing your job, but thank you for caring for the voiceless.