Pets and budgeting

I love my dogs. I have two. Cute, aren't they?

I would love to have more someday. They provide endless hours of love and entertainment, with some exasperation every now and then. But I wouldn't trade them for the world. They can, however, be costly at times. Some things you can never plan for; like a serious illness or an accident, but you can lessen costs when it comes to your pets without sacrificing their health.

First and most important, ADOPT!! There are millions of dogs and cats in need of good homes right now. Unfortunately, there are millions of dogs and cats also being put to sleep every year because there aren't enough homes. You can make a difference buy adopting your new dog or cat from a shelter or rescue. My favorite resource when looking for a new pet is Petfinder.  This site lists animals all over the country in need of homes. You can sort by breed, size, age, and location. If you can't find what you are looking for near you, inquire at another rescue or shelter. Volunteer transports make it possible to help your new friend make it home to you. I've done them! (Mileage is tax-deductible if you are driving for a registered 501C(3) rescue!)

Two of my happy passengers!

How does adopting help you if you are on a budget, you might ask? Shelters often have locally set adoption rates, as low as $5, and up to around $50. Many states have pet population control programs where you will receive a voucher for a free spay/neuter when you adopt a pet through a city pound. Rescue adoption fees are usually higher, around $100-$400, but this typically includes the pet's spay or neuter surgery, and often their first round of shots. Compare this to $1000+ to buy a dog from a breeder, and you are really getting a good deal; most importantly you are saving a life!

When you get your new pet home, you'll want to start thinking about training. Obedience training can be a great bonding tool, and it will help your pet become happy and well-adjusted. You don't have to spend a fortune, either. Many local pet stores, such as Petco and Petsmart offer basic puppy training. If you adopt from a humane society, you may receive some training classes for free as part of your adoption fee. (Another reason to look into adoptions before buying!) Once you get the basics down, there are many websites out there with free tips and tricks for you to continue your training, or check out books at your local library.

Another area where you might be tempted to cut costs is with food. However, I must warn against buying the cheapest food you can find. You would never do that for your children, so why would you do that for your pets? A good quality food will save you money in the long run on vet bills, and improve your pet's overall health and well being. Also, a good quality food often requires less food per serving, which means it will take you longer to go through a bag. I highly recommend looking at foods with a 4 star rating or higher on Dog Food Analysis's review page. If you are still in need of a break, try a 3 star food. Costco sells their Kirkland brand at VERY reasonable prices. There is even a grain-free version, which is great for dogs with allergies or if you just want to feed a better quality food. My dogs rotate between the Chicken and Rice kibble and the grain free Salmon formula. 

We all know that accidents happen, and pets get sick. As humans, we (hopefully) have medical insurance, and your pet can too. I am no expert, and as there are several companies out there, I can only give recommendations based on what friends have experienced, or what other websites suggest. One to try is petinsurancereview.com. to compare plans and prices. It really depends on your budget and your pet. If you are not interested in buying pet insurance, at least consider setting up a line item in your budget specifically for your pets bills. Set it aside and hope you never have to use it. 

I know this can all seem overwhelming, but pets are such a wonderful part of life. Don't feel like you can never afford to invite a new member into your family. Think it through, try putting everything into your budget and see how it will fit before jumping into anything. But please consider adopting a pet. They really are worth it.