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Thrifty Pets Part 2 - After You've Thought and Bought

© Donna Dunn

A pet has its own unique needs, and sometimes meeting those needs can become a bit of a challenge.

In my family, we’ve found that we’re able to accommodate quite an assortment of pets. Over the years our menagerie has grown to include our golden retriever, two budgies, a couple of newts, several saltwater fish (including Obi Wan the Goby) and most recently, a Calico cat named Janet. We wouldn't, and couldn't, have so many pets if we didn't truly love them. But since we do love and enjoy all of our pets, pet-keeping doesn’t seem like much of a chore.

It can become a little expensive however. According to a study by the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy, one of the most common reasons for giving up a pet was the cost of pet maintenance.

To keep those costs down, you might try some of these suggestions:

• We’ve joined a couple of frequent buyer clubs at local pet supply stores -- one charges a nominal fee to join, and the other was free -- and we also check our newspapers for special offers.

• Coupons are another tried-and-true way to save money, but I use these with some caution when purchasing food for my pets. Some pets don't take too kindly to having their food switched, and you may find that the money you thought you'd saved just isn't worth it.

• When we travel, we're lucky to have a trusted friend who house-and-pet-sits for us. The National Association of Petsitters is a good place for information about pet-sitting services if you don't have a friend you can call on.

  I've also heard of people who travel with their pets, or send their pet to a friend or relative who takes care of it while the owner is on vacation. They say it's actually cheaper for them to ship their pet than to pay kennel boarding fees while they're away. (The ASPCA doesn't recommend shipping pets if there's any way to avoid it. It may all depend on your particular situation, and your pet's temperament.)

• When possible, we buy previously used pet accessories. Yard sales and thrift stores are good sources for some of the supplies you may need. And when you're checking things out, be a little creative; a neighbor came to one of our yard sales and bought a couple of my son's old stuffed toys for her dog.

• Also, check the classified ads; sometimes people will sell their pets plus necessary accessories for a low price. Just remember that when you're buying used merchandise it’s buyer beware, so make sure that the aquarium that only cost you a few dollars doesn’t leak.

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