Do you have a pet in the USA? Expenses, etc.
#46
Re: Do you have a pet in the USA? Expenses, etc.
I love my dog, and have had him for over 9 years, but he is expensive.
Expenses include, vet visits, allergies, monthly heartworm preventitives, annual heart worm test, vaccinations, monthly flea preventitive, pest control for the home if the parasites come into the home, dog food, fish oil for his food, ear medicine, toys, treats, joint supplements, damage to your home, care when you are out of town, cleaning the hair out of the car, special vacuum cleaners and travel all cost money. . . .
I should have kept track, but I bet I've spent roughly $15,000 over 9 years.
Expenses include, vet visits, allergies, monthly heartworm preventitives, annual heart worm test, vaccinations, monthly flea preventitive, pest control for the home if the parasites come into the home, dog food, fish oil for his food, ear medicine, toys, treats, joint supplements, damage to your home, care when you are out of town, cleaning the hair out of the car, special vacuum cleaners and travel all cost money. . . .
I should have kept track, but I bet I've spent roughly $15,000 over 9 years.
I'm sure that there are opportunities to volunteer in most parts of the state. The nonprofit I work with helps at the town pound, but there are also organizations like this:
http://www.cthumane.org/site/PageSer..._opportunities
http://www.cthumane.org/site/PageSer..._opportunities
Last edited by WEBlue; May 10th 2012 at 10:17 pm.
#47
Re: Do you have a pet in the USA? Expenses, etc.
We had 4 large breed dogs, 5 indoor cats, 1 barn cat, 5 horses, and 1 mule. Had until this evening. We just acquired another large breed dog (puppy) that was dumped on our rural road.
We live on a small ranch with fenced acreage and a large farm house, so we made room for one more. My wife is a veterinarian, and still the cost is astounding. From regular preventive treatments to unexpected ailments, the costs just mount.
Consider a trip to the ER will run you anywhere from a few hundred to ten thousand in a heart beat.
Vacations involve finding a trusted vet tech who is willing to house sit the ranch and all the furries.
Expenses are all relative. Some people believe 'natural' (natural to what exactly??) feed should be fed and are willing to pay extra for the belief they are helping Fido. If you live in the country you should really vaccinate for rabies, we do but our neighbor does not. Some people naively think you don't need to use a heart worm preventative because Tiddles is an indoor cat (because mosquitos respect this and will not enter the house, right?).
Anyway, your expenses will vary. There is no fixed formula.
Some of our indoor pets have had little more than their FrontLine, Rabies vaccines, and yearly blood work; others have had thousands in work. Horses need shoes, teeth floats, supplements depending on whether they are in training or out to pasture. There is no guarantee what a pet could end up costing you. To my wife, the outlay is irrelevant compared to the immense rewards they bring. To me, I've had many a sleepless night knowing what we were spending. But thats marriage, she gets her way and I say "yes dear". Happy wife, happy life.
We live on a small ranch with fenced acreage and a large farm house, so we made room for one more. My wife is a veterinarian, and still the cost is astounding. From regular preventive treatments to unexpected ailments, the costs just mount.
Consider a trip to the ER will run you anywhere from a few hundred to ten thousand in a heart beat.
Vacations involve finding a trusted vet tech who is willing to house sit the ranch and all the furries.
Expenses are all relative. Some people believe 'natural' (natural to what exactly??) feed should be fed and are willing to pay extra for the belief they are helping Fido. If you live in the country you should really vaccinate for rabies, we do but our neighbor does not. Some people naively think you don't need to use a heart worm preventative because Tiddles is an indoor cat (because mosquitos respect this and will not enter the house, right?).
Anyway, your expenses will vary. There is no fixed formula.
Some of our indoor pets have had little more than their FrontLine, Rabies vaccines, and yearly blood work; others have had thousands in work. Horses need shoes, teeth floats, supplements depending on whether they are in training or out to pasture. There is no guarantee what a pet could end up costing you. To my wife, the outlay is irrelevant compared to the immense rewards they bring. To me, I've had many a sleepless night knowing what we were spending. But thats marriage, she gets her way and I say "yes dear". Happy wife, happy life.
#48
Joined on April fools day
Joined: Apr 2012
Location: 30 miles from a decent grocery store.
Posts: 10,642
Re: Do you have a pet in the USA? Expenses, etc.
Hmmm, I assume she's had no health problems as of yet. Once again, you seem to lead a charmed life, Beaverstate. I'm remembering that you're the person who pays $1K for the 4 bed house with the landlord who wouldn't dream of raising your rent.
I believe it. It's a little daunting when you look at the bald figures up front like that. . . . .
This organization, the CT Humane Society, wants a six-month commitment for dog-walkers & cat-cuddlers, so I may have to wait till I know a bit more about where we'll be settling. But it's good to know they'll train me to walk & cuddle.
I believe it. It's a little daunting when you look at the bald figures up front like that. . . . .
This organization, the CT Humane Society, wants a six-month commitment for dog-walkers & cat-cuddlers, so I may have to wait till I know a bit more about where we'll be settling. But it's good to know they'll train me to walk & cuddle.
#49
Re: Do you have a pet in the USA? Expenses, etc.
Anyway, your expenses will vary. There is no fixed formula.
Some of our indoor pets have had little more than their FrontLine, Rabies vaccines, and yearly blood work; others have had thousands in work. . . .There is no guarantee what a pet could end up costing you. To my wife, the outlay is irrelevant compared to the immense rewards they bring. To me, I've had many a sleepless night knowing what we were spending. . . .
Some of our indoor pets have had little more than their FrontLine, Rabies vaccines, and yearly blood work; others have had thousands in work. . . .There is no guarantee what a pet could end up costing you. To my wife, the outlay is irrelevant compared to the immense rewards they bring. To me, I've had many a sleepless night knowing what we were spending. . . .
Most of our past pets just came to us, no choice & no logic involved. Our first pet was actually my husband's family's ancient dog, which his father couldn't keep when the family house was sold. So in a way my husband started the whole pet thing!!! After that cranky old dog died, *I* found the second dog at the pet shelter because the kids & I missed a dog in the house. And all our cats (6 altogether) just arrived on the doorstep--no one ever "chose" them. All the pets were loved, some being special pals of one child or another, or me, & each contributed immensely to our family --even the extremely shy cat who spent the first year either under our daughter's bed or up on the roof. But they weren't "choices", just natural parts of life as it was then. . .
#50
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 11,272
Re: Do you have a pet in the USA? Expenses, etc.
We are considering a move to TO, we have an almost 12 year old beautiful golden - if we moved maybe we could doggy sit for each other
#52
Banned
Joined: Apr 2012
Location: New York City
Posts: 563
Re: Do you have a pet in the USA? Expenses, etc.
Glad you've got that sorted.
Thanks Harry. What a wonderful thing you are doing with your new foster dog. For some unknown reason, I have always wanted to take care of a blind animal. My POV is that no matter what we spend on our critters, we are then rewarded a million times over with love and devotion.
You did the right thing, that's for sure.
I'd like to pistol-whip anyone who dumps an animal. (Not really, I'm not violent, but this really gets my goat.)
Ours too. Our cats just showed up in our backyard and never left.
Sorry to hear that about 'stockings' ... we're fostering another dog now - had her for just a few weeks. She's 16, blind in 1 eye, has various other minor ailments. Her vet bills are taken care of by the rescue shelter we fostered her from. All she wants is some TLC and a place to chill out. She can't have any more ops, the anaesthetic would kill her, but she's a dear ol' soul and we enjoy her company.
Ours too. Our cats just showed up in our backyard and never left.
#54
Re: Do you have a pet in the USA? Expenses, etc.
But it may be the only alternative that my dear husband will accept. A non-expensive pet (because all vet expenses are paid) who will eventually leave. . . . It's dreadfully sad, but it may be the only alternative. We'll see.
#55
Re: Do you have a pet in the USA? Expenses, etc.
I know, I know!! That would be the horrible part of it.
But it may be the only alternative that my dear husband will accept. A non-expensive pet (because all vet expenses are paid) who will eventually leave. . . . It's dreadfully sad, but it may be the only alternative. We'll see.
But it may be the only alternative that my dear husband will accept. A non-expensive pet (because all vet expenses are paid) who will eventually leave. . . . It's dreadfully sad, but it may be the only alternative. We'll see.
#57
Re: Do you have a pet in the USA? Expenses, etc.
Or it could get you a full time dog. I have some friends, whose dog was bit by a rattlesnake and died. One of them wanted another dog, the other said no, it's too heartbreaking. They eventually decided to foster, and the first dog they got, they both fell in love with and adopted
This would be my secret fear.
#58
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 143
Re: Do you have a pet in the USA? Expenses, etc.
Mrs H the S
#59
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 143
Re: Do you have a pet in the USA? Expenses, etc.
We are generally lucky with our original three girls we brought over with us to the US Just the usual heartworm tablets, vaccinations annually; especially rabies (needed for licence). Food, a big bag lasts 2 months and costs us $48 from the Vet (it is a weight control one).
Having said this, the one we adopted last year suddenly had all sorts go wrong. Eye problem, not eating, then stomach cancer diagnosis (ultrasounds, hospital admissions, etc). We do not have insurance coverage; instead we have something called Care Credit which we find very useful. At least then you are not paying out premiums for insurance you either (a) never use or (b) something happens and the company refuses to pay out, grr.
All in all I would say the veterinary costs are pretty much on a par with back in the UK.
Mrs H the S
Having said this, the one we adopted last year suddenly had all sorts go wrong. Eye problem, not eating, then stomach cancer diagnosis (ultrasounds, hospital admissions, etc). We do not have insurance coverage; instead we have something called Care Credit which we find very useful. At least then you are not paying out premiums for insurance you either (a) never use or (b) something happens and the company refuses to pay out, grr.
All in all I would say the veterinary costs are pretty much on a par with back in the UK.
Mrs H the S