1) Adopt a pet. A purebred, pet-store puppy can cost anywhere from $500 to several thousand dollars. Why not look into adopting an animal from the Humane Society or a local animal shelter? The costs are minimal and you get the added bonus of knowing that you may have saved a life. Check out the web page for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) for a list of shelters in your area.
2) Spay or neuter your pet. OK, so don't tell her beforehand, but your little Fifi LaRue will thank you for it later. And think of the money and time that you'll save: You won't have to place "Free Kitten" ads in the paper or beg your friends to take a puppy.
3) Look for innovative pet programs in your area. If you live in the state of New York, the ASPCA will "fix" Rover for $30. It also offers inexpensive vaccinations for pets adopted from its centers. In San Francisco, if you're over 65 and are on a fixed income, the SFSPCA will waive all fees for pet adoptions, and your first year of medical care and grooming costs are free.
4) Support your community. Help to underwrite the costs of pet helping organizations in your hometown. The savings will come back to you many fold. Visit the New York City SPCA for the Woofstock Revival on October 19. Or join TMF Hoyden as she and Belle help raise funds for "Pets on Wheels" at the "Bark in the Park" outside Baltimore on Sunday.
5) Get your pets inoculated. Think preventative maintenance. Those heart worm pills are much cheaper than actually treating heart worm.
6) Train your puppy. A puppy kindergarten class can start as little as $25. The cost of repairing furniture that has been gnawed on, ruined shoes, and your frittered patience can be much higher.
7) Choose the right vet. Instead of paying four first-visit fees, find the right vet right away. Ask your friends and neighbors if they can recommend someone. Call around and ask what the cost of a visit would be. Is someone available 24 hours a day in case of emergencies? When you finally go in for a visit does the doctor take time and answer your questions? Does she seem to have a good rapport with Snookers? Check out VetQuest, a free service to assist you in finding the perfect caregiver.
8) Be creative with pet toys. The ones at the pet store often look appealing with the glitzy packaging and the glitzy price tag. But sometimes the best toys are free or cost next to nothing. The Pet Forum's Gina Spadafori says that foil balls, wadded up facial tissue, and wine corks are great for cats. My little canine princess rarely comes back from the park without a "found" tennis ball. She also has a thing for old pantyhose. Experts say that you should rotate their toys often so they don't get bored.
9) Brush their teeth. I know, "You want me to do what?" But a University of Minnesota study showed that 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have a gum disease by age 3. Vets recommend brushing your pet's pearly whites several times a week. See the "You can pay me now, or you can pay me later" theory above.
10) Get pet insurance. Americans spend $7 billion on pet health care each year, yet less than 1% of pets are covered by insurance. Surprisingly, there is only one company that serves owners nationally. It's called Veterinary Pet Insurance and provides coverage in 39 states. The average premium is only $11 a month.
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