Be Your Pet's Best Friend. Barbara Novero Levy

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and behavior are normal for your pet and lead from there. Often you will find answers if you watch for signs from the pet, or, if you do not own a pet yet, ask a behaviorist or the owner of a similar pet. When in doubt always ask your veterinarian.

      These thoughts are presented to you with the hope that they will inspire you to expand your knowledge base. Then you will become well-equipped with the common sense necessary for your unique situation. Remember, my purpose is not to discourage pet ownership but to help you choose wisely and make your decision the best it can be at the right time for you and your pet.

      Costs of Owning an Animal Companion

      Everything in life is somehow associated with costs. Owning a pet companion is certainly no exception and has both emotional and financial costs. I deal with the emotional components all through this book, but here I will focus on the financial components.

      It is estimated that in 2012, Americans spent $53 billion on our companion animals. Even in a period of sluggish economy, we topped the previous year’s spending by almost $3 billion. Obviously that amount triggers a need to more closely examine this facet of pet ownership.

      Before we even get into the estimates (and I must stress that these are only estimates), I want to make it very clear that we choose to have animal companions because we love them, so monetary cost should not keep us from owning and enjoying a pet. However, cost must be considered if you want to be a truly responsible pet owner. Let’s take a look at the general cost categories and considerations.

      Breeder or Pet Store

      Costs to purchase a pet can range from $50 to $5,000+ depending on the pedigree, your plans to show the pet, and of course the type and rarity of a particular breed.

      The caveat here is to research the breed and the breeder. Learn all you can about the characteristics, temperament, and lifestyle needs of the pet you are considering before you visit with a breeder. Ask your veterinarian pertinent questions and do your own internet and library research beforehand. Do not expect pet store personnel to know all the facts on a particular breed. Above all, do not fall for the “mall effect” of how cute is that doggy in the window without knowing what that breed will be like as an adult animal!

      Rescue Group or Shelter Placement

      Again it is wise to research or ask friends and your veterinarian about various shelters and rescue groups. Many breed-specific groups offer very educational sites online. Even though they may not offer a totally free adoption, they offer many services to a new pet owner, such as knowledge about the breed, temperament of the pet, and any age or health concerns. Do not be offended by the adoption protocols used by these groups. Remember, their goal is to find the best home for these pets. They offer lots of education and use proven methods to match you with a pet that has the best traits and temperament for your lifestyle. In addition, these groups sometimes offer follow-up placement advice, special rates on training programs, special offers on supplies from retail supporters, and special offers on pet insurance. Also the pets are often spayed or neutered and have up-to-date inoculations.

      I have adopted pets in many ways including rescue/shelter groups. Realizing that cost is important, I urge all to consider the value of these groups and the many volunteer hours spent to help the adopted pets. Since many of these groups are charitable entities and depend on donations for their existence, please consider giving them a donation in addition to their adoption fee. If at all possible, try to cover part or all of the costs not included in the adoption fee. These are usually veterinary costs. An additional amount of $50 to $100 is so welcome for these groups. The donation may be tax deductible (check this out with your tax consultant) and will be most appreciated.

      If money is short you can always ask what they might need in the way of supplies or volunteer help. I have donated bags of food, given my time to help with events, and been a contact for a purebred rescue group to identify and help transport pets from shelters. I even served as the secretary for a breed club health research group. But financial help is always good and I often send monetary tributes to these groups as a condolence for a friend’s loss of a pet.

      Estimated Costs for the Necessities

      I have listed the critical categories here since these are the items or services that are necessary for the survival and well-being of your companion animal. There are of course tons of other things that you might want to supply, and there are always life’s little surprises that must be dealt with, such as unexpected illness or accidents.

      Here is a generic list for your review. The amounts shown are very broad ranges depending on the size of your companion, the number of companions you have, and where you live. Bear in mind, living in the rural Midwest is considerably less expensive than living on either coast or in an urban area.

      I strongly recommend that you find current sources of information and costs online and through your vet. Online you will find comprehensive breakdowns of costs by species for small, medium, and large dogs. It is also possible to obtain cost estimations for cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, small mammals, small birds, and fish. The lists below focus primarily on dogs (all sizes) and cats. The broad ranges are shown as estimated monthly costs.

      Annual Veterinary Care for Healthy Pet

      Veterinary care - $150-$1000+

      (annual check-up/immunizations including annual license)

      Monthly Breakdown

      Food - $30-$100+

      Flea control and heartworm prevention - $40-$75

      Litter (cats only) - $10-$50

      Toys and treats - $5-$50+

      Grooming - $0-$100+

      Pet insurance - $7-$75

      Estimated One-Time Costs for Pet Needs

      Spay/neuter - $75-$400+

      Collar and leash - $1-$40+

      Microchip - $25-$75+

      Litter box - $25-$50

      Crate or carrier - $40-$150

      Scratching post - $30-$150+

      In addition to the above, the items listed below are often not considered until they are needed and then come as a surprise to a new animal owner.Please remember, by the time you discover these needs and their costs, you will already have those paw prints on your heart and will have to find ways to pay for these things. It is important to remember that making a mature decision at the onset is always in the best interests

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