Paying for a pet - Page 2

[Cavy]

Originally Posted by iamama

I think your heart is more important than your check book. With all the homeless dogs that get put down each day I'd say they are better off with a low income owner than a trip to doggy heaven.

My gut feeling is that I wouldn't mind the idea of a dog being acquired by a poor family if those really were the only choices. And then it would be understood by all that the dog would be PTS if it needed any medical treatment above a relatively low price. And EVERYBODY would agree in advance that this was a reasonable outcome, to put the animal down just because the family couldn't afford vet, because at least that family had provided something good (wonderful, even) in terms of extending the animal's quality of life.

The problem is that in reality, plenty of poor people would put themselves into bad debt to treat the dog, or they might let the dog suffer on with a nasty condition just because they couldn't bear to see it PTS. So I guess answer is ideally I see no problem with low income family having a pet, but in reality it's a very bad idea -- quite possibly it is much better morally to PTS animal than take the other risks.

[newbymom05]

I don't even understand the question. If you can't afford one-time fees, how can you afford the ongoing maintenance of a pet? Cars, houses, pets...if you can't afford it, you can't afford it.

[carrotstick]

Unfortunately I say "yes." I know the rescue fees can be steep, but they are there for a reason. Rescues are run by volunteers and that money is for food, heartworm treatment, vet bills etc. I think saving up the money could be a good way to determine if it's a good idea or not. I just rescued an Italian Greyhound in July for $250, and brought her home and she immediately fell off the table and hurt her leg. SO $500 later I have a $750 dog... and my Weimaraner was a $300 donation, but she is allergic to everything under the sun... Allergy tests, allergy shots, special food etc. MUCH more than the $300 I spent to get her in the first place. Just something to think about.

[Tigerchild]

Kids are a little different than dogs in this case, on a very pragmatic level.

You can get aid (maybe), visit a food bank if you can't afford to feed your kids, probably can get some free clothing if you have no money for shoes and a coat. If worse came to worse, you could take your suffering and ill child to the ER where they would be required to treat you.

While there *are* occasionally food banks for pet food, they're few and far between and often extremely limited. And vets do NOT have to treat your animal up front with no payment.

[buttercup784ever]

I wanted to add that I see quite a few low-income people complaining about the high fees at rescues because they are looking to rescue popular purebred dogs. Even at a rescue, those dogs will be more expensive because they are almost guaranteed to be adopted. The money made on those dogs would go toward the healthcare of less desirable, sometimes unadoptable, dogs. I'm not sure what breed the OP is looking to rescue.

We rescued our standard poodle from a poodle rescue group. We fell in love with him immediately. We weren't planning on getting a standard that day, and the lady on the phone had told us the miniatures were between $250-$300. When we decided on him, she told us he was $500. Why? Because he is a perfect standard poodle, and she would have no problem adopting him at that price. Also we pay between $80-$150 a month for grooming. The higher adoption fee "proves" to the rescue, in a way, that we can afford him. It isn't an exact science, but it does help gauge how much money someone is willing/able to spend.

[greenmagick]

I do think if a couple hundred dollars is seriously out of reach, you probably shouldnt get a dog.

I dont understand the complaint about high fees from rescues though. A reputable rescue will have vetted, spayed/nuetered, and temperment tested their dogs, sometimes even started basic training. In the foster homes they begin learning house manners, socialization skills, etc. You are often getting a bargain.

And then, most pounds and kill shelters are awfully cheap.

[lonegirl]

Ok....my take....I see lots of people come in to the hospital that can not afford a pet....in many cases this is ok....if you have a healthy pet.

That being said. There is pet insurance available to help cover many costs.

You need to take into consideration the many costs:

Puppy visits (8/12/16 week vaccines and checkups) In many places the vaccines are required by law.
Dog Licence (required by law in most areas)
Boosters (yearly or every 2-3 y depending on what brand is used)
Spay/neutering....
Heartworm screening and preventive yearly
Flea/tick preventive
Emergency fees (things happen....even when we don't want them)
Food, dishes, leashes
Puppy classes/obedience classes (if required)
Long term....treatments for any old dog diseases

Some of our best clients have very little money and manage to come up with the cash some how....but you need to know where you are going to get that cash if the need arises.
Too many pets are euthanized (another fee) due to lack of funds for various illnesses/accidents

[greenmagick]

just an example....I spent almost 600 to get my dane spayed and pexied. Planned expense....2 days later she and my other dog broke into the kitchen when I was putting the kids down and one or both ate the whole bottle of pain meds...rushed them back to my vet and paid another 200....if it had been after hours and I had to use a e clinic, that probably wouldve been tripled...maybe more. Are we rich??? no, but we can come up with a couple hundred fairly easily. If you truly cant save three hundred dollars over a span of time extra for an adoption fee, I think it would be very hard to afford a dog.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

I appriciate all the thoughts here

I will have a dog again some day I know that. I just have to wait for the right dog to come along. Will I ever pay $100 or more for one, no because I dont believe it is neccissary there are to many free to a good home adds in the paper here for me to even consider it. Even pure breeds are given away from time to time around here for various reasons so I will keep my hopes up and when the time is right the right dog will come my way.