Pet Dog Costs: A Reality Check

How much is that dog by the window... so goes an old song. It is easy to fall in love with the dog at the pet store or at the shelter. But buying it - or even adopting one -- is not the same as buying on a whim a nice pair of shoes or a cool shirt. The shoes and the shirt you can simply put in the closet or get rid of after the initial fancy or cool is gone. At issue is how much of a dog lover are we?

It is easy to overlook the cost part when you think of the benefits. Or when you are simply infatuated by the dog or the idea of having one. How cool is it to carry around a live toy-dog like Tinkerbell of Paris Hilton fame. Or have an energetic windhound or a lovely labrador to walk or run with. Or a hunter dog to hunt with. Or bring home a dog playmate and a pleasant distraction for the kids. Psychologists tell us, pets and pet dogs teach young kids such positive traits as kindness, caring, love and loyalty.

Various studies on the health benefits of having pets also show that pets make owners healthier by helping to lower blood pressure, reduce stress, prevent heart diseases and help fight depression. The positive effects of pet ownership even lower health care costs for people who, as a result, make fewer doctor visits for non-serious medical conditions.

The initial price of acquiring a pet dog may or may not be easy on the pocket depending on how much the household budget is. At the San Francisco SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) for example, the cost of dog adoption ranges from $80-$300 depending on the age of the dog, plus $20 for dog license fee. Recently, it adopted a policy of variable adoption fees, the price being based on whether a certain dog or breed is in high demand, as a means to raise funds for the other animals in need in the shelter.

The American Pet Products Association (APPA) places the average cost of buying a dog at $364, based on a 2011-2012 National Pet Owners survey where pet owners were asked on the amount spent on pets in the past 12 months. The higher cost is attributed to the increasing cost of pure breed dogs.

This is just the beginning. In the same survey, it is estimated that basic expenses for dog owners is at $1,542 a year which consisted of surgical vet visits, $407; routine vet, $248; food, $254; kennel boarding, $274; vitamins, $95; travel expenses, $78; grooming/grooming aids, $73; food treats, $70; and toys, $43. If surgical visits and kennel boarding were not factored in, granted that the dog is healthy for most of its life and the owner has a family to leave the dog with when they travel, a safe bet for expenses is over $800 a year.

In rare cases you may escape the initial cost of buying or adopting the dog you want. If you find a stray and decide to keep it if no one would claim it - after reporting to the local animal control agency or the shelter you pick. Examples are the stories on two adopted dogs I have met on the trail. A rescue cleverly named Ruscoe by the human who found him, is a brown brindle with uncertain mix-breed who was found sick and abandoned near a stream. Another is Winnie, a chihuahua, who was found barking and roaming around confused on a busy street. When they were found, they could have easily made it as poster dogs of owner irresponsibility and animal cruelty. There is no escaping the succeeding expenses for these new parents: dog license of $12 -$21, and vet costs for immunization and treatment, cost undisclosed.

This is not to discourage dog ownership. This is opening our eyes to the reality of dog ownership. Costly maybe, but the rewards priceless. To many of us, the cost may even be the least of the factors at issue. Commitment is. If you decide you are up to the task and are committed to taking good care of a dog for the long haul, then another dog may just have found a new human friend and a new home for keeps.

And we need more committed humans and dog lovers.

Alda Menhennet is a self-confessed dog-scared person who has turned into an avowed dog enthusiast, thanks to a dog. Follow her personal saga, adventures and misadventures with Otis the dog--and maybe learn with her-- in her Dog Day series at [http://www.dogphiles.com]

Note:

In Joplin, Missouri where over 600 animals survived but were left without owners when the deadly tornado hit May 22, the ASPCA and the Joplin Humane Society have teamed up to hold a special Joplin Adoption Event on July 25 and 26. Among these animals waiting for adoptive parents are Shih Tzus, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, and Dachshunds. Precious beautiful dogs and other animals that have undergone SAFER evaluation by the ASPCA Animal Behavior Center

Animal Adoption - Costs, Benefits and Considerations

Adopting an animal can be an excellent choice for pet lovers. The advantages of adopting are numerous; costs are lower than buying a pet, animal shelters offer a large variety of companion animals, most mixed breed animals do not inherit breed specific health issues, older animals in shelters already have developed personalities and therefore it's easier to find a pet that will match with your lifestyle, older pets will be spayed or neutered and vaccinated, you may receive discounts for spay or neuter programs if you adopt a young pet, you can adopt a bonded animal pair or litter mates at reduced cost, and shelter workers are genuinely concerned that you find the right pet for your lifestyle.

Cost of animals and types of animals up for adoption vary by areas. In my area a puppy adoption is $150 and an adult cat is only $60. When you compare the cost of buying a pet, to adopting an animal, it's much cheaper to adopt. For example typical cost to purchase a puppy are $300-$600, plus first year vaccinations $150-$300 and possibly some health tests not provided by the breeder which can add another $50-$200. Most often when you adopt a puppy from the shelter the adoption fee insures the puppy has already been treated for fleas, passed a health examination, received vaccinations (if the animal is old enough), and has been tested for parvovirus. Some shelters in the south also test dogs for heart worm.

In dogs, distemper, parvo-influenza, and heart worm are terminal illnesses, if they are untreated. Adult cats adopted from the shelter are spayed or neutered, vaccinated for distemper, tested for Feline Aids(FIV) and Feline Leukemia (FELV) (which can both be terminal illnesses), and are treated for fleas. When you compare this with the cost of purchasing a cat ($150-$1000) or taking on a "free kitten", animal adoption again proves to be much cheaper. Typical costs for FIV and FELV testing are $45-$75 for each test, spaying at maturity $45-90, or neutering $30-$75, and first year vaccinations $150-$300. So your "free kitten" can cost more than $500 for the first year of medical care. Additionally, many shelters also test for other diseases such as worms, and the shelter will be open and honest about known disabilities such as hearing or vision impairments.

Shelter employees and volunteers do a great job of helping you pick an animal that is right for your lifestyle. Typically, there are wide varieties of adoptable pets available. Most shelters have dogs and cross-breed puppies ranging from tiny to large, short-haired to fluffy, and personalities that range from shy lap dogs to high energy running companions. Cats selection can ran from large Maine-coon mixes, to high energy Siamese mixes, to fluffy mellow Angoras. My local shelter also services other companion animal adoption such as ferrets, pot belly pigs and goats. Occasionally, shelters have purebred animals available for adoption. (Also, see my article on purebred adoptions).

There are other benefits of adopting an animal from a shelter. Mixed bred animal may be healthier and calmer than some purebred animals. Certain purebred often have genetic disorders (due to the inbreeding). For example, many large purebred dogs develop hip dysplasia (a malformation of the hip joint that causes arthritis). Small purebred dogs with pug noses may develop respiratory disorders. Disorders associated with specific breeds can be found in mixed breed dogs and cats, but are far less likely to occur. Older pets available for adoption from the shelter have developed personalities and therefore it is easier to adopt an animal that will be right for your household. For example, if you have children, the shelter worker will introduce you to the pets that are the best suited to your household. If you're single and want a jogging partner, the shelter worker can introduce you to a healthy high energy dog companion. You may think you want a dog, but after speaking with a shelter worker, realize your lifestyle is far more suited to an adult cat. Some shelters provide ongoing benefits, such as reduced vaccination cost, reduced training costs or provide a list of auxiliary services.

If you want to select from a wide variety of pets, the best time of year is during spring and early fall which are breeding seasons. Shelters are inundated with strays. Christmas is a bad time of year to adopt an animal for several reasons; many people adopt at this time of year so selection will be limited, it hard on the animal (due to lack of routines and chaos that often accompanies the holiday) and, it's may curtail your travel plans. (See my article on Christmas animal adoption).

To find an adoption center in your area contact the Humane Association of the United States, check with a local veterinarian, or inquire at a locally owned pet supply stores. Each year the United States destroys more than 4,000,000 companion animals. By adopting an animal from a shelter you are saving a life. However, please consider the long term care required, before you purchase or adopt a pet.

Kate Garvey is a former Vet Tech and animal rights supporter. She teaches Sound Healing Workshops (throughout the US) and treats clients by appointment in the San Diego area. For more information on how you can use sound for optimal health please visit http://www.InstituteOfSoundHealing.com

Kate is also a freelance writer, published author, and the author of several books; "Aging, Death and Euthanasia-A Guide for People with Pets", "Summer Pet Care Tips", and "The Low Risk Guide for Real Estate Investment."