More strays linked to once-happy homes.
On average, caring for a cat costs $1500 annually and a dog $2000.
With the U.S. economy currently on very shaky ground the falloff is tighter family budgets or worse, completely new business models for family households. In an effort to help keep households together, including family pets, let’s talk about possibly surrendering your pet to a shelter, how to pinch pennies on pet-care, and, a philosophic POV on saving animals.
Downsizing the family to make ends meet.
If you feel that you really can no longer afford your pet please consider finding another family for your pet first. If you can’t find a foster home then take the animal to a shelter, don’t abandon your animal. Here’s a story that was in the Chicago Tribune several weeks ago…
More strays linked to once-happy homes.
The sad stories have been all over the news. Pet owners who have fallen on hard times are coming into shelters and reluctantly, sometimes tearfully, surrendering their animals.
But the housing and economic downturns have sparked another trend, one that is potentially dangerous. People who can no longer afford their pets are opening their doors and turning them loose.
Charles Craft, the supervising animal-care clerk at Chicago’s Animal Care and Control facility, sees it we every day. More and more seemingly well-cared-for-pets—some wearing collars and name tags, others that are microchipped, a large percentage of purebreds—are being found as strays.
Animal Control tracks down the owners and sends them letters and phones them to let them know their pet has been found.
But the messages increasingly are ignored.
“What that means is the animal has been put on the street and the owner has no intention of redeeming them,” says Anne Kent, executive director of the Animal Care and Control Commission.
“There’s no shortage of them,” Craft says, leafing through a pile of forms listing pet owners who have been notified but who haven’t responded. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen this many. But (th e owners) are just not coming in.”
Kerry Vinkler, executive director of DuPage County Animal Care and Control, has seen an increase in abandoned pets, too, typically with animals let go in the forest preserve.
“And it’s not just dogs and cats,” she said, “We’re actually finding rabbits and ferrets and reptiles.”
It appears that people are reluctant to take their pets to a facility where they might have to be euthanized, and they believe the dog or cat can fend for itself in the wild.
“What you’re really doing is allowing them to be preyed upon by wild animals,” Vinkler said.
Increasingly, Chicago-area animal control facilities, shelters and rescues are devoting resources to programs aimed at keeping pets and their people together. Low-cost medical care, fostering programs, counseling, even money-saving tips on how to give your pet toys are all available, and the experts are eager to help people and their animals stay a family.
Saving money on pet care.
Here are a tips to help you save money in the long run.
1. Don’t buy expensive collars, beds, etc. Your dog doesn’t really care if he’s wearing designer sweaters and doggie collars. You don’t need a designer bed, why get one if your dog would rather sleep on your old comforter?
2. See your vet annually. Preventative measures are the best way to avoid high vet bills.
3. Feed your pet high quality pet food. Cheaper pet foods contain a lot of fillers that in the long run are not all that good for your pet. Also, feed your pet the right amount for his breed, activity level and age.
4. Consider investing in pet insurance. Pet insurance can help save money if an unexpected emergency should arise.
5. If you decide against pet insurance, save a pet emergency fund set up should something arise.
6. Spay and neuter your pets. Spaying and neutering dramatically reduces the risks of some cancers such as breast, uterine and testicular cancers.
7. Properly train your dog. A well socialized and trained dog has less risk of getting hit by a car or showing aggression toward other animals and humans.
8. Shop around for pet supplies, medications and veterinarians.
9. Learn to groom your pet yourself. Basic grooming is pretty straight-forward and easy to do. Ask your veterinarian about how to properly groom your pet.
10. Regularly brush your pet’s teeth. With dental cleaning creeping up to $200 a visit at your vet, preventative care is the best way to avoid this cost. Keeping your pet’s teeth clean is as easy as a daily cleaning and brushing.
11. Exercise your pet daily to avoid weight problems as well as behavior problems.
12. Don’t be afraid to ask your vet for a discount or samples of medications.
13. Attend garage sales. You can find toys, bowls, clippers, etc. all for less than buying new.
14. Only get the vaccinations your pet really needs. Some vaccinations are required by law, but you can work with your veterinarian to determine which ones your pet really needs and which ones he doesn’t.
15. Make your own pet treats and pet toys.
Saving pets
Also in the news stories about endangered animals, global warming and the effect on animals. Opinions are divided with some going so far to say, why try and save the animals, let nature take its course. We will stick to pets and think about why should be save the pets. Another POV…
n the July 30, 2007 issue of Newsweek, Frederick R. Lynch told the story of how he spent $11,000 (US) in veterinary bills to save his cat, Fritz. Fritz was suffering from cancer and required numerous medical procedures. While Lynch’s story made it into the pages of Newsweek, his choice is not uncommon. Other people, including some close friends, have done the same for their beloved pets.
Of course, some people would see spending that much on a pet to be a waste of money. Those that give the matter some thought might say that the money could do more good if spent on something else rather than to save a pet. For example, the money could be spent to help another human being.
While that view has some merit, the same can be said in regards to most of what people spend money on. People, at least in wealthy countries like the United States, routinely spend money on luxury items. For example, if someone buys herself a new iPod, that money could have done more good if it had been donated to help a starving person.
As another example, think of the extremely expensive parties that stars throw. These parties can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars (or more)-all for one night of enjoyment. As another example, think of all the other ways wealthy people spend money on needless luxuries. This money could do a great deal of good if spent on other things. If such spending were acceptable (which might not be the case), then spending money on a pet would certainly be acceptable. In fact, when compared to such luxury spending, saving a pet is quite laudable
Perhaps the best argument in favor of spending money to save a pet is based on love. In the case of spending money to save a human, such a parent spending large amounts of money to save a sick child, it is also the case that the money could be spent to do more good elsewhere. For example, the money spent on expensive cancer treatments for a child could be used to save many children who have conditions that are less expensive to treat. However, a parent who spent the money to save her child instead of helping strangers would not be regarded as doing something wrong. In fact, she would most likely be praised for her devotion to her child.
In the case of the parent, she is justified in her choice because of her relationship to her child-he is someone she loves. Now, if this applies in the case of human beings, then it should also apply to pets as well. After all, people love their pets very much.
It might be objected that a human is worth more than a pet. Perhaps that is true. But, the same could be said of individual humans. The money the mother spends on her child could have been used to save people who are better than her child. Unless he is the best human in the world, then there would be other people who could be helped who would be better. The important difference is not who is better-but who is loved by the person spending the money.
via PetSupplies4Less.com and Saving pets
Maureen Adams
July 30th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
i\’m gonna pass this on to my customers