Living through the current difficult financial times is difficult enough, but add pets which depend on you for food, a home and medical care, anything that can be done, helps.
It’s a shame that many pets are given up or abandoned every day, as pet owners fight to cope with the current economic climate.
This is especially thorny for animal charities who have look after pets when money is in short supply, surviving on donations to keep their pets in good wellbeing.
Here are a few points which could help make looking after a animal on a tight budget more manageable:
1. Consider every animal cost? Do you need that branded animal food or product? It is always a good idea to bring pets up with variety, equally dry and wet, as well as different brands and flavours. Keep an eye on special deals. You can stock up. Consider vouchers, search on the net for some promotions. Buy based on price per pound / Kg, as sometimes, particularly with special deals, the smaller pack can be more economical.
2. Is it possible that you can club together to buy feed and bedding in bulk, reducing the total price and passing on savings to all.
3. Vets bills are unknown but must be considered. If money’s a little stretched, you may find a lot of Vets will consider spreading the costs, and pay in instalments. If you can, afford it – have or keep pet insurance.
4. Can you change the way you live? It’s not all about finding ways to keep your pet more cheaply, what about yourself!
5. Can you earn some money? Why not offer to walk other peoples pet? Become a Dog Walker. Good companies will require you do it regularly. Another alternative is to become a pet sitter, though professional businesses such as London Pet Sitter will also require you be a London dog walker.
6. What about your other pets, you may have put your cats in a cattery, what about using a cat sitter? The pet may prefer it and the pet sitters often do other things.
7. Do use external stabling or boarding? Many horses can exist quite contentedly outside for most of the year, just make sure there’s nourishment, water and protection to harsh elements available. Could this be an option for your horse, it could reduce the cost of stabling considerably.
8. Are you thinking of choosing a pet, certainly consider taking a pet from a charity, they are suffering at the moment.
Enjoy your pet, they are worth the cost.