I feel humans as well as pets have 2 basic needs:to love and be loved. We have discovered the therapeutic effect with inmates, geriatrics, the sick etc..I would like to see trained vet assistants, hence like physician assistants which may reduce the cost of giving proper care to a pet.Also I would like to add we humans have different social and economic levels, so why wouldn't our pets fall in the same pattern.Just because a child whose parents weren't born at a higher economic level,should it mean the child isn't entitled to have a pet to care for and play with.I think people often don't realize we don't live in an ideal world and we become too judgement!

I have 3 rescues & one of the ways I keep costs down is to use a mail-order pharmacy for regular meds one of my dogs takes.  It helps.  I also agree with the idea of pet insurance.  I looked into it yrs. ago & quickly decided that sometimes in life, it is O.K. to gamble esp. when the odds are against you.  Amateur breeders are helping the overpopulation idea & most don't have a clue to how to genetically breed properly.  Most just want the quick buck

I am an animal lover myself and don't spend a lot of money on them.  Here are my expenses: dog food, cat food, and "just the rabies shots please."  As far as the dog and cat food are concerned, I buy Science Diet.  I've been quite fortunate that my animals have not gotten sick or have any medical illnesses.  My outside dog keeps the tom cats away which prevents my indoor/outdoor cat from getting sick.    

I'm also fortunate that I have a Vet who treats animals as they are, animals.  He does not humanize them in any way.  In which case, I think that is why he is so affordable.

I have two cats, rescued from a shelter, that I wouldn't trade for the world. Yes, there is an expense associated with caring for them, but isn't that true of anything in life? I mean, look at what you spend to maintain your car (insurance, gas, maintenance,etc.) and while it is a necessity for most people - IT IS JUST A CHUNK OF METAL! A pet is a living, breathing animal, deserving of good care. With that said - feed them quality food (PetCo and PetSmart both have excellent incentive programs, sign up at your favorite manufacturers' websites and receive coupons, incentives, etc), spend quality time with them (my cat likes to walk outside on a leash - the other cat has a favorite toy she drags around with her everywhere), do what you can yourself (brush, groom, etc.), set aside money in your monthly budget (Set aside just $20-$25/month - adds up to $150 per cat which more than covers annual visit and vaccinations) and take them to the vet at least once a year. Pets age faster than people do, so if you can imagine skipping the doctor for 15-20 years - that is what happens when you skip annual visits for a cat. And yes you can brush a cat's teeth at home. My one cat jumps up on the bathroom counter every morning while I am brushing my teeth to remind me to brush his!

re: Feed store vaccines- there ARE warnings all over the place for those vaccines- just as there are on human vaccines. The pharmaceutical company's (etc) will ALWAYS have warnings because they go by the CYA policy. It's foolish to believe that the temperatures may not differ in other vaccines as well- how the heck do the vets get them?? They are typically shipped. On the flip side- one never knows if those online stores may have a batch of recalled vaccines. Not sure about feed stores. Just like with a persons health and well being it is a judgment call and you just need to use good sense. I don't thinks it makes anyone a bad pet-parent to research all aspects of pet care. Good luck!

Sherrie - You should mix half water and half vinegar in a solution to rid dogs ears of mites.

Putting down a pet is one of the hardest decisions a loving pet owner can make, but it is preferable to watching an elderly incapacitated pet suffer.  That said, house pets should see the vet at least yearly, and for symptoms of illness, especially ear infections (common), and allergies (common).  Injections must be kept up to date.  If you find yourself in financial trouble and cannot care for the pet, breeded pets usually have rescue organization, i.e. CairnTerrierRescue.com, etc.  Also, there are "No Kill" shelters in most cities.  Try one of these, before the humane society.  Please do not abandon pets to vacant homes or on the street, that is cruel and inhumane.  Animals are for loving, and deserve the same care as their human counterparts.  Nuff said!

We have two cats and a dog.  Our cats are 11 and 16 and the dog is also 11.  We provide them with whatever care they need regardless of price.  We took them on as our responsibility and they can't ask for what they want or need.  The oldest cat has Diabetes and must take insulin.  The medicine is not an issue but the tests almost broke the bank.  We just spent $365.for blood test etc.  I am glad that we can afford to do this but feel bad for thoose who can't.  I know that the SPCA will give your pet medical care but you have to surrender ownership..What's with that?  They turn around and rehome them so why can't they help out the current owner? Seems strange.

If you have a PETSMART nearby they have the best vet plan any where. The name is called Banfield Vet services i have saved over 2600 buck since 2006 on my maltese and you join for like 100 bucks and you can take them any time for a check up.

I learned by my cockers that are now passed on that its better to feed them better food, and therefore not have to deal with the allergies caused by cheap quality food. In the past I used everything that came from a pet store, but they had the hot spots and they would chew at themselves until they had a sore red spot, and then I had to go to the vets and get the meds that would make it all go away. Now I just feed them (I have 2) good quality food. I use SOLID GOLD and so far NO problems at all with hot spots. It is a more expensive food but its worth it in the long run because the dogs are healthier. As for the dog biscuits for keeping the teeth clean, well thats never happened for me. I give mine plenty. So far one had to have his teeth cleaned. I always get the vaccinations, but I might delay it 2 months or so. Bottom line if you cant afford to do the things you have to do for them, then dont get them. Especially people who buy a dog that needs alot of grooming. Get one that is a shorhaired. Yes the long haired ones are very cute, but take it from me....its work and cost.