Can You Afford A Dog?

Not many consider this big question before buying or adopting and animal. Pets are expensive. There is a reason the pet industry is worth 60 BILLION dollars a year. Here are some numbers from Petfinder.com that should really be looked over before buying, adopting, or taking in an animal.

Expense Adoption Food Nutritional Supplements Food/water bowls Treats Dental/chew toys Routine veterinary exam Vaccinations Emergency veterinary care Heartworm test** Heartworm prevention Fecal exams Worming Flea/Tick prevention Spaying/neutering Professional teeth cleaning Collar(s) Leash(es) Training Grooming tools Professional grooming Shampoo Fence Stain/odor removers Doggy bed(s) Crate(s) Toys Boarding, per day TOTAL

First Year $0-500 $120-500 $0-100 $10-40 $20-200 $20-200 $45-200 $60-150 $0-2,000+ $0-35 $24-120 $10-30 $10-25 $200-500 $35-200 $60-500 $7-50 $10-50 $30-250 $20-250 $0-1,200 $5-50 $0-2500 $10-100 $25-100 $20-250 $10-200 $15-50 $766-$10,350

Each Following Year N/A $120-500 $0-100 $0-25 $20-200 $20-200 $20-100 $60-150 $0-2,000+ $0-35 $36-132 $10-20 $10-25 $200-500 N/A $0-500 $0-40 $0-50 $0-200 $0-25 $0-1,200 $5-50 $0-2500 $10-100 $0-100 $0-250 $0-200 $15-50 $526-$9,352

I would say some of these numbers run a little on the low side but as an average it is spot on. Youre not only committing your time to an animal but your finances as well. It isn’t fair to provide any animal with less than what you would provide your own child with… the best of care. Please consider these numbers before taking in an animal.