The Cost of
Adopting a Dog
Unconditional love can be cheap -- or very very expensive.
Money can buy you love. No, not that kind of love. Think kittens and puppies. A pet greets you when you come home, doesn’t care that you messed up the Jones account, and happily spends every Saturday night with you.
But before you whip out that checkbook, determine what you want. If you’re just looking for a living, furry creature to share your home and life, then acquiring a pet doesn’t need to be expensive. But if you are interested in a particular look or personality, or if you want a blue-ribbon-winning animal, then plan on spending more -- a lot more.
Stray Dogs
Obviously strays are the cheapest way to go -- at least for initial cost. Often you don’t have to look far for a cat or dog in need of a home. Last January, I got George, a pathetic, mewing, leg-rubbing cat that a friend had rescued from the streets. What a bargain -- all that affection for nothing!
Well, almost nothing. First, the animal needs an exam and basic shots which cost about $40. Also stray animals can pick up all sorts of passengers, so be prepared for a few more potential costs, such as ear mite, heartworm and flea treatments. Dr. Wayne Hunthausen, a veterinarian and animal behavior specialist from Westwood, Kans., says prices vary depending on the extent of the infection. You can spend as little as $6 or more than $100 to get the animal healthy.
My "free" cat George had a really nasty case of ear mites and worms (no wonder he was so pathetic looking). Thankfully he was already fixed. After the vet bill and medicines, he ended up costing me about $100.
Save an animal and save money
The pound or humane society is another fabulous way to get a new pet -- in theory. See, it’s a great idea, because you’re saving an animal’s life. The tough part is that heart-wrenching walk past all the cages filled with scared and lonely animals.
"Man, that was hard not walking out with an armful," says Pat Repper, a computer-programming consultant in Sanford, N.C. He picked out his beloved mutts, Sporki and Grommit, from a local animal shelter. "They were $45 each -- and that pays for their shots. We had to sign a document saying we'd get them fixed -- which we intended in any case. Total around $100 each."
A pound pet will cost about $40 which generally includes all its shots and a vet exam. But again, be prepared for minor health problems. One of Repper’s puppies cost him a bit extra in vet bills. He explains, "Unfortunately, Sporki had picked up mange, and we had to treat him for that and kennel cough."
An addition from bassethoundrescue.com© - Rescue is yet another way of saving a dog's life making a great family addition. There are so many wonderful dogs in Rescue services right now. In many cases, the Bassets that are available from rescue have AKC papers and/or Champion bloodlines. As long as you are not planning on having a littler or mating your Basset, Rescue is a great starting place. You have experts that can help place the right Basset with you without all the hassle of Pet store financing or haggling. Start with Rescue - Save a Hound!
How much is that doggie in the window?
If walking through the pound is too depressing, try a Luv-A-Pet Adoption Center at PetsMart, available across the country. PetsMart doesn’t sell dogs and cats because there are already so many homeless animals. Instead the chain provides space for local shelters to bring animals for adoption.
Of course, other pet stores do sell animals. Who hasn’t walked through a mall and seen a window of adorable kittens pawing at the glass? You can expect to get a pet-quality cat or dog of many popular breeds for $300 to $500, according to Splash Landing Pet Center in Jupiter, Fla. Pet-quality means that you are planning on just having the animal as a pet -- not showing or breeding the animal. For that, you’d do better to consider a breeder.
A warning on pet stores: While these stores sell pedigree animals, you can’t be sure how good the bloodline is or how well the animal was treated before appearing in that window. Sadly there are still "puppy mills" in the United States, according to Dr. Hunthausen.
"You’re at risk when you adopt from a pet store," he explains. "Before you adopt from a pet store, be assured by the owner that they physically examine the breeding facility and knows the breeder personally. Be sure the store has a protocol that the animals are socialized."
Show me your papers
I think the only papers a kitten or puppy would ever need are the Sunday funnies to pee on. But if you are determined to have the best, then check out a breeder. Unless you’re into the whole animal show scene, why would you consider spending hundreds for a pet? There are many reasons, according to Terry Moss, a Fenton, Mich.-based Persian cat breeder.
"People [buy purebreds] because they love the appearance and personality. They are buying an exotic pet. People want status. If they didn’t, they’d go to the Humane Society," explains Moss. "People who want a look will spend the money."
First research what type of dog or cat you want. Small, medium or large? Playful or protective? Gregarious or self-sufficient? Once you’ve chosen a breed, it’s time to find someone who raises and sells them. The magazines Cat Fancy and Dog Fancy provide contacts for breeders on their websites. Or you can ask at a local vet office about breeders in your area.
Moss explains that Persian cats are popular mostly due to their laid-back personalities. She compares them to "dogs in cat clothing." The price of Persians can start at $200, though last year Moss sold two show-quality cats for $700 and $1,000.
How expensive can a purebred animal go for? Moss says she knows of a cat -- not one of hers -- which went for 18 grand. Yes, as much as a brand new Volkswagen Beetle. For that price, the cat better fetch my newspaper every morning.
Perhaps you’d prefer a dog in dog’s clothing. Maybe after watching another one of those ubiquitous Taco Bell ads, you find yourself saying, "Yo quiero un Chihuahua." While there’s no guarantee you’ll get a dog that’ll make a mint in commercials, you will spend some big bucks for that purebred pup. For a show-quality or breed dog, you’re looking at $500 to $800, according to Samantha Genner, kennel manager at Little Buddy Chihuahuas in Altamonte, Kan. But we’re just talking pets here, right? You can still get an excellent dog for a little less.
"If you want an absolute quality dog that’s not suitable for show, you can get a bargain," explains Genner. A pet Chihuahua will still run you $200 to $500 bucks.
Bob Barker is right
The Price is Right’s Bob Barker reminds us daily at the end of his show: Spay or neuter your cat or dog. He’s not on some silly kick. PetsMart’s website says that 60 to 80 percent of the 11 million cats and dogs taken to the pound yearly must be euthanized -- you know, "put to sleep." So do the right thing, folks.
Spaying a female pet can run you anywhere from $30 to $200, according to Dr. Hunthausen, depending on whether it’s done at an animal shelter or by a veterinarian. For example, at the Montgomery County Humane Society in Rockville, Md., spaying a dog ranges from $67 to $92 depending on the weight of the pet. Neutering costs range from $67 to $88 depending on the dog's weight.
Variables in cost are due to the size of the pet, where you live and whether the operation is done at an animal shelter or by a veterinarian. Keep a lookout for discount days at vet hospitals, advises Dr. Hunthausen.
Knowing you’ve done the right
thing can negate the dirty looks your pet gives you when it returns from the
vet. Your pet will give unconditional forgiveness too!