Everyone hopes to get their loved one the PERFECT gift during the holiday season. But what seems perfect to the buyer isn’t always perfect for the recipient. This holds true when it comes to pets, and unfortunately many gifted pets become homeless when they are surrendered to animal shelters after the holidays.
The Costs and Requirements of Pets
While most people love the idea of a new dog or cat, there are many factors to be considered when it comes to pet ownership, the biggest being finances.
Ownership of a dog or cat comes with a financial commitment, with funds needed for everything from food to medical care. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the average cost of owning a dog is about $1,200 for the first year, and about $700 per year every year after. The cost for a cat is similar, with an average cost of $1,000 for the first year and $700 per year after. First-year purchases including the animal itself, food, carrier, toys and bedding can add up, and making sure the pet receives proper veterinary care adds to the cost.
Besides setting aside funds for routine veterinary care, potential owners are strongly encouraged to plan for emergencies. Establishing an emergency veterinary care fund and purchasing pet insurance can prevent running into a financial crisis should the pet need medical attention.
Setting aside time to bond with a pet is vital to ensuring the pet is content. Making time to play with, walk and train a pet is a must. Finding time to invest in a pet can be difficult for some people, and the pet suffers as a result.
Allergies are a common reason pets end up in shelters. Making sure everyone in the house is pet-allergy-free or on medication that controls symptoms can prevent an animal from becoming homeless.
One of the biggest necessities for owning a pet is patience. Though most pets try hard to behave, there will be times when accidents will happen. It’s important to know how to handle these situations appropriately and work with your pet to prevent it happening again. Training takes boatloads of patience, but it can be a fun and rewarding process for both pet and owner.
Housing must also be considered. If living in an apartment, does the complex allow animals? Are there breed or size restrictions? If in a home, is there a fence or is the owner able to provide exercise for his or her dog through a walk or trip to the dog park?
With so many factors to be considered, the purchase of a pet is best left to the potential owner. Eliminating the need for animal surrender can have a huge impact on animal shelters, allowing for more pets to find their “furever” home.