My friend Susan had just gotten a new puppy,
Mr. Magoo, from the animal shelter and she was anxious to spoil him with all the
accessories a fashionable puppy could want. However, prices at the pet store exceeded
the budget.
Collars, doggie sweaters, even hair ribbons were all pricey. But with
a few stitches on a sewing machine combined with scraps of material left from an old
dress and some creativity, Mr. Magoo had not only a cute pumpkin costume for Halloween,
he also had a warm and cozy sweater for cool weather. And with fun outfits like that,
Mr. Magoo had no trouble getting free pet sitters from the neighborhood.
Shop around and use discount coupons for pet supplies
Don’t overfeed (ask your veterinarian for the appropriate feeding quantity)
Purchase food for its health benefits not just for cost; a healthy pet will require less visits to the veterinarian
Learn how to take care of basic pet needs (grooming) yourself (brushing, cleaning, trimming)
Swap pet sitting duties (vacations, business trips, etc.) with other pet owners and avoid a costly kennel or sitter
Check vaccination guidelines and recommendations from reliable sources so you don’t over-vaccinate your pet
Shop for medications on line and at your neighborhood drug stores
Tip: Find a veterinarian who is willing to write prescriptions for you to fill at a location of your choice
Pet insurance may offer you peace of mind if it’s easier to make small monthly payments rather than a large medical bill
Shop around for a veterinarian for both quality and affordability
Think twice before spending money on discretionary items for your pet; spending time with your pet may bring more joy than a box full of toys that are never used
Purchase toys and other items at garage sales or second hand stores
In an emergency use your veterinarian during business hours instead of an emergency clinic
Save for emergency care or end-of-life costs
Find reliable neighborhood kids that love your pet to watch, walk or feed them in your absence (less costly then a temporary shelter and much more love)
