you have been given some suggestions already and I just wanted to comment about paying for the operation. We are in a similar situation in that my MIL took on one of our own dogs and has had her for about 2 and 1/2 years. She seems to be pretty sick at the moment and we are expecting a huge vet bill that neither my MIL or we can afford. I also feel responsible for the bill cause she was our dog. I am going to offer to pay for 1/2 the bill, just a suggestion that maybe you could pay 1/2, 3/4 or whatever to help out your parents?