Everyone knows that a dog is man’s best friend, but owning one can feel a lot like having a baby. There’s so much to do. How do you choose the right one? Do you have everything you need to give them the best life? Should you buy a puppy from a reputable breeder or adopt one of the many millions currently living in an animal shelter?
The last question is arguably one of the most important because it will have a huge impact on the ultimate cost of your new pet. While some people completely swear against breeding of any kind, it can be beneficial for some owners. Here are the pros and cons of buying vs. adopting a dog. We’ll also cover a few pointers to help you save, including how much you should put away before you bring a pet into the family.
Lower Your Monthly Expenses
Reduce your bills and spend as little as possible to keep a surplus in the bank. The more you have put away, the greater security you’ll feel as a new owner. There are plenty of ways to lower monthly costs, including cancelling subscriptions and refinancing your student loans. You can use a student loan refinance calculator to see how much your payment would be through a private lender.
You can help the environment and save money by making your own pet bed and toys. They’re easy to assemble and often cost nothing because they use things you already had lying around the house. Local pet stores tend to have lower prices than chain supply stores. Shop around and see if you can’t score a better deal simply by choosing a smaller establishment. Adopting any breed is always far cheaper than buying a puppy from a breeder. You may also be able to get a good deal if you visit on an adoption day where fees are sometimes waived entirely.
Pros
Shelters have canines of all ages, breeds, and personalities. Finding the right match for you is much easier with so many options. Staff are also trained to assess every potential owner and help pair them with pets that they think would suit their preferences and lifestyle. Animals at shelters have been spayed or neutered, micro-chipped and thoroughly examined by a veterinarian. Puppies will be given their first rounds of vaccinations, and you will be able to bring them back to complete their immunizations throughout the first year.
You may also qualify for low-cost spaying or neutering if your return to the same vet. If a pet does have any healthcare needs, you’ll be made fully aware of them upfront. This ensures you only take on a responsibility you’re able to handle and that every dog only receives the best possible care. Even though there are a lot of no-kill shelters, there are thousands of animals that are homeless or can’t be taken in because of overcrowding. When you adopt, you save a life. This is especially true if you adopt from a shelter that euthanizes animals after a certain amount of time.
Cons
You will have limited to no history about a dog you adopt. This means you have no idea where they come from, what they’ve been through or how their previous environments impacted them. Although pets are screened for behavior issues and aggression prior to being adopted, they may bear emotional scars from past trauma. Purebreds for shows are not likely to be found at a shelter. If you aspire to participate in dog shows, then you’ll likely want to choose a breeder whose canines have a long pedigree.
If you require a specific type of dog, like a hypoallergenic breed, then you might have a hard time finding one near you. While there are millions of dogs throughout the nation, not all of them are in local shelters. So, you may wind up turning to a breeder simply because you can’t find the dog you’re looking for. That being said, you should closely look for breed-specific rescues near you before you turn to a breeder. Owners can spend upwards of $1,200 a year on supplies and veterinary costs, but you could spend far more if your pet has an emergency. The size of your pet, the type of food you buy, boarding, grooming and dog walking services will raise your annual cost.
