Can You Afford a Pet?

Did you recently adopt a pet? Or already have a pet? And you suddenly needed to see a vet and you couldn't afford it?  Are you that guy/girl? We need to have a little talk, mano y mano. If you can't afford to have a pet don't get one! Get a hermit crab or a goldfish. Or maybe stay away from moving creatures completely. Go buy one of those nice plants on clearance at Lowe's and plant it in the fish bowl that used to hold your goldfish!

Want to know the average of what people spend on a dog over a lifespan of 14 years? Click this link to find out: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1671&aid=1543

Someone called the office today. They recently "bought" a new puppy from a breeder. The puppy was coughing. At 12 weeks old, a cough can be a pretty serious thing. The man on the phone said he didn't have any money to bring him in. REALLY? You had hundreds of dollars to pay a breeder but can't bring your dog in for $50? I hated this guy already and wanted to give him a lecture, but kept my mouth shut like a trooper. I told him how serious coughs could be and that it could turn into pneumonia and the dog could DIE. The chances of that happening are actually nil, but I wanted to get my point across. I told him about Care Credit (click here) and luckily he took my advice and applied for instant approval. He ended up bringing the puppy in and it had an upper respiratory infection that required antibiotics.

One other thing to consider - pet insurance. Most plans cover yearly visits, preventative care, lifelong illnesses/treatments and emergencies. There are many levels of coverage available. The following are a few different options to explore.

VPI Pet Insurance
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
PetPlan

What's the moral of this story? Don't own a pet if you can't afford their upkeep and any emergencies that may arise. If you really want a dog or cat and can't afford the upkeep, consider fostering for a local animal shelter. They will pay for all the medical care! Best thing is, you're opening up a cage at the shelter for another animal to be saved! Here are a couple places in the Pittsburgh area that could probably use your help!

Western PA Humane Society
Animal Rescue League
Animal Friends
Hello Bully
A Little Bit Of Snuggles Dog Rescue