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| Penny Pinching Pet Lovers | | by Mira O'Connell | | | Getting a New Pet | | Veterinary Expenses | | Supplies | | | Animals can be wonderful companions for the whole family. Learn ways to save when it comes to our furry friends. | | | Getting a New Pet | Adoption
A wonderful way to add a family pet is to adopt an abandoned one. There are an abundance of unwanted animals at your local Humane Society. Every shelter is different but most of the pets have already had their first series of shots, have been dewormed and may be spayed or neutered. Most shelters charge an adoption fee.
Also places like Petsmart offer pet adoption. The Newspaper classifieds may lead you to unwanted pets as well.
Remember adopting a pet is a long term commitment.Full Breeds
If you decide to purchase a full bred dog, look into hobby breeders in your area. Since they do not breed for profit, they usually sell their litters at considerably lower prices than professional breeders. You can find hobby breeders by checking local pet stores for references as well as looking through the classifieds. Search for a Dog Breeder in your area. Don't rule out the possibility of finding a full bred dog at a shelter. Up to 25% of dogs in animal shelters are pure bred dogs. Call your local shelter to inquire about the breed you are seeking. Many shelters have a waiting list for people looking for a certain breed of dog. You may not be able to guarantee the purity of the dog breed nor will you be able to get papers on the dog for showing. You may also want to contact local dog clubs. You may be able to find owners who are no longer interested in showing their dogs and looking to place them in a good home.
Whenever you go to look at a pet, whether through a breeder, shelter, etc., try to find out as much about the pets life and family history. See how they act in their environment and if possible around their original owners. If purchasing a full bred try meet the animals parents. Also, take the whole family to meet and pick out possible new pets. If this is going to be an addition to your family, everyone should get along.
Before purchasing any new pet, check your home owner's insurance policy. Many companies these days will not insure you if you have a certain breed. | | Veterinary Expenses | |
If you have a baby pet or an elderly pet it may be in you and your pet's best interest and save you hundreds of dollars to have pet insurance. The medical costs of a puppy can add up quickly - Shots, Deworming and Neutering. Many counties, veterinarians or pet stores have clinics in the Summer that offer low cost shots. Some counties help low income people spay/neuter their animal. Unless you are planning to breed your purebred animal for profit. Please have your animal fixed. Thousands upon thousands of animals die every year in shelters due to overpopulation. If you do not have the income to spay/neuter your animal but you have the desire to contact some local veterinarians. You may find one who will do the procedure at a reduce rate. You may also want to consult with your veterinarian about Rabbies vaccinations. State regulations vary fron annually to every three years that animals need to recieve the shot. Prevention is often the best frugal route. Brush your animals teeth regularly and give them tarter control treats to help prevent costly medical procedures down the road. Puppies tend to be mischievous and get into things that can be harmful to them. Buy your puppy lots of good chew toys and treats to prevent her from chewing on undesirable items. Don't let puppies chew thin plastic, cord, rope, twine or small animal bones. Also avoid large quantities of rawhide. All of this items can either block the intestines or splinter and cut the intestines. When dealing with meat based dog chews always wash your hands afterward to avoid Salmonella poisoning. It is not advised* to give meat-based chews to puppies, elderly, pregnant or nursing dogs. Also make sure pets cannot get into harmful chemicals by the grill, or in the garage or garden shed.
| | | Supplies | | Their are numerous Free Pet Stuff offers available. Also many online pet supply stores offer Coupons and special offers. Remember to check their clearance sections and compare shipping costs! You can receive rebates on online purchases by joining a program like eCoupons. Don't forget to look for toys, crates and other pet supplies at local thrift stores and garage sales. I don't think rover will mind!
There are natural alternatives to many of the flea and tick products sold. Many of these alternatives are just as effectively and more economical. You can make many pet supplies such as biscuits, shampoo, bird treats, and even food. Take an old pillow case, fill it with cedar chips, and sew up the end. This will be a wonderful pet bed for a small animal and the cedar will keep away pests. Make a larger bed by sewing scrap fabric together to form a pouch the desirable dimensions, fill and sew up. There are many books on this subject. Don't forget the kitty cat. A piece of wood is a great scratching post. You can make a house or a cat castle out of a cardboard box and cats love paper bags and newspapers. *Dog Chew Safety information from Petsmart
© Copyright Mira O'Connell 2000
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