THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A FREE PET

(Photo: Wix)

I see many social media posts offering free pets. I also see too many pet owners saying they cannot afford bringing their animal to the vet. So what is a pet guardian to do?

Basic pet care consists of regular veterinarian visits which consists of:

• vaccines,

• deworming,

• flea and tick preventative,

• annual bloodwork to detect Heartworm,

• annual stool analysis to detect parasites,

• medication if needed

• spay/neuter surgery

And of course pet food and treats, toys, leashes, collars, carriers, beds, and sometimes a fenced-in area.

Dogs will need at least one visit to the groomer, and let's not forget accidents or diseases that will add to the costs (such as an encounter with a porcupine).

What about pet insurance for emergencies? You can subscribe your pet to it, or put money away every pay check for when you need it.

There is another option where you can use your credit card to pay for your pet's care with CareCredit; visit their website HERE.

At the end of the day, being a responsible pet owner costs money and if you put money away ahead of time it will take stress off your shoulders and it will make it easier to care for your beloved pets.