Money Saving Tips for Pet Owners, by Rebecca Quimby
In today's less-than-robust economy, everyone is trying to find ways to save money, and pet owners are no exception. After all, owning a pet can be expensive. According to an American Pet Products Association survey, we spend over $45 billion a year on our pets. But having a dog or cat doesn't have to be a pricey proposition, here are our top five budget-friendly tips for getting and taking care of that animal family member.
1. Start By Rescuing A Pet
If you are pinching pennies (and even if you aren't), go visit your local animal shelter. They have animals of all ages, temperaments and sizes and often only charge what it costs to vaccinate and spay the animal.
If there is a specific breed that you absolutely adore, you still may find your true love at the shelter as pets of all breeds end up needing new homes. Or reach out to the breed-specific rescue organizations. For example, you might find the perfect pooch at Chihuahua Rescue, PugRescue.com, or French Bulldog Rescue Network. You can also search for dog-breed clubs in your area. They often have rescue or fostering organizations that can help connect you to the breed of your dreams while also giving a home to a pup in need.
2. Take Advantage Of Subsidized Spay/Neuter Services
At your local vet, paying full price to get your dog fixed can cost up to $200-300. But many organizations offer discount services, sometimes charging as low as $45 or nothing at all. Check ASPCA's special search function for low-cost and free resources in your area. SPAY/USA and Friends of Animals also provide great lists of low-cost services.
3. Buy Discounted Pet Food
Sites such as Pets Warehouse, PetFooder, PetFoodDirect and large retailers such as Costco, Petco and PetSmart may offer big discounts on your favorite brand of dog food or even special bulk pricing. You should also check out some of the online coupon web sites such as couponmountain.com, slickdeals.net and fatwallet.com or register at your pet food company's site for email newsletters and discount offers.
4. Shop Around for Vet Services
Clearly you want to give your animal the best care you can afford but vet bills can run you up to $340 a year, and that cost skyrockets if your pet has an illness or accident. Ask your vet about discounts, which may be available if you have more than one animal. Check out PetSmart's in-store vet offices which offer coverage for a flat annual fee that can potentially save you up to 50 percent on your veterinary care or Petco's Vaccination and Preventative Services offerings.
Also consider bringing your pet to a veterinary school clinic for discounted care. Once you've gotten a prescription for medications from the vet, comparison shop online to see if you can get better deals on pharmaceuticals at sites such as PetCareRx and 1-800-PetMeds. For people who are really in a bind, The Humane Society offers a list of services that provide financial aid to pet-owners in need.
5. Practice Preventative Care
Save money on vet and grooming bills by doing basic petcare and maintenance at home. Start by brushing your dog's teeth or cat's teeth to prolong the time between pricey professional cleanings and extend your animal's life. Grooming your own pet will save you lots of money too and there are many videos online to teach you grooming techniques. Also, just like with humans, a sensible diet and plenty of exercise will work wonders to keep the pounds from creeping up and help keep your pet healthy and happy.
Most of all, remember that what your pet wants and needs most is simply your love and attention. And those, mercifully, are free.
For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524
No comments:
Post a Comment