Driving in to town this morning, the radio host was commenting on her son’s dog, her “grand-dog,” and how much she enjoys it when he visits but also how much cost is involved with pet ownership.
I have never looked this up and I’m not sure where she obtained her information, but she stated $27,000 spent in the lifetime of a pet for everything from food, toys, grooming, veterinary care etc. It seemed an unpleasant coincidence that I heard this news on the way to the vet with my cat Boo, the second of my 12-plus-year-old cats who has needed dental surgery. Ellie was late last fall, now Boo, and once we have the mortgage on her teeth paid off, then Holly will go in for her checkup and likely, due to age, will need at least a cleaning, if not more.
Then an unwelcome phone call, as the vet had run some pre-surgery blood work, and they think Boo might be diabetic, so more blood work is in order to confirm this suspicion because the stressful ride to the vet could have pushed her sugar level up so now they have to do a test that will give an average of her sugar over the past few weeks. Cha-ching.
I am not complaining, but I do think it’s an important point. When you adopt from a shelter, hundreds of dollars have already been invested in each animal, blood work, flea treatment, spaying and neutering, and at a cost lower than the “street cost”. When you look at the adoption fee, and you think “heck, I can go to Craig’s list and get a kitten for free,” you need to factor in that those kittens haven’t seen a vet, aren’t already spayed or neutered, and that cost will be on you. You don’t save a penny when you get a “free to a good home” kitten, unless you do not intend to provide any care at all, and if that is the case, then you would not qualify to adopt from a shelter anyway.
The point is, be prepared. Pet ownership is not all warm fuzzy cuddles with no work and no responsibility and no cost. It is worth every single penny and more, and regardless of what the outcome of Boo’s tests are, if she needs lifetime medication or whatever, we will make sure she is taken care of. When you are ready to adopt, you must not be given to whimsy or make a spur of the moment decision. Just one day, “I need a kitten” and off you go.
When you are ready to adopt you need to take a hard look at your lifestyle. Do you travel a lot? Will you need someone to house sit your pet or take him to a kennel? Are you at work all day? Who will let Rover out and walk him and feed him and cuddle with him? Can you afford a pet? Are you 95 years old with one foot on a banana peel? If that’s the case, perhaps an older pet might be more appropriate for you.
And speaking of which, if you are approaching that banana peel age, do you have a plan in place? If something should happen, do you have someone who will take in your pet and love him like you do?
These are things we need to think about. The next time you are asked to fill out an adoption application, this is why. Shelter staff are trying to help you determine the best fit for you, for your home, and for the animal being adopted. Can you afford it? Does your lifestyle match its needs for exercise, companionship and care? If you think you are not prepared to spend $27,000 over the next 20 years caring for these family members, but you adore animals, perhaps you could volunteer at a shelter, do some fostering, help transport to Vet visits.
Thank you for all you do to help Houlton Humane care for the critters who have no homes and for spreading the word and helping us find new homes. Thank you for your donations, the cash, cleaning supplies, everything that you do to help. You are their voice, and we appreciate you.
