Before adopting a pet, it’s important to consider not only the adoption and licensing fees you’ll pay, but also the cost of preventive care, vaccinations, emergency care, and other routine or monthly expenses. By creating a budget and doing research into the cost of pet ownership, you can make sure you’re financially prepared to be a pet parent. Here are the most important financial considerations to plan for before adopting a pet.
Initial Adoption Costs
Depending on where you adopt your pet, you may need to pay an adoption fee as well as a registration and licensing fee. You may also need to pay for the cost of an initial veterinary exam and spaying or neutering your pet. You should purchase certain pet supplies ahead of time as well, like food, a pet bed, a litter box, a collar and leash, toys, treats, and other necessities.
Ongoing Pet Needs and Wellness Care
You should also budget for your pet’s ongoing needs, including preventive care and wellness care. Your pet will need to visit the veterinarian at least once per year for an annual examination, and they will also need annual vaccinations, licensing, and preventive treatment for fleas, ticks, and heartworm. Some of the most common costs you should prepare for are:
- Annual licensing fees
- Vaccinations
- Annual exams and check-ups
- Diagnostic services
- Medication or treatment for fleas, ticks, and heartworm
- Grooming
- Boarding, pet sitting, or pet day care
- Food and treats
- Toys
- Pet supplies
- Training classes
Unexpected Expenses and Emergencies
In addition to the routine costs of pet ownership, you will also need to prepare for emergencies. An unexpected expense can cause huge financial strain, so it may help to start a pet savings account to cover the cost of emergency veterinary care or the treatment of injuries and illnesses.
Pet Insurance
Signing up for a pet insurance plan is a great way to plan for both routine and preventive care and pet emergencies. Many pet insurance companies offer free or low-cost annual exams, vaccinations, and preventive care as part of their coverage. Others may require you to meet a deductible before they will start covering a percentage of your pet’s medical costs. Most plans reimburse you after you have paid your veterinarian, although there are some pet insurance companies that offer direct veterinarian pay.
Request an Estimate from Your Veterinarian
In order to get a better sense of the annual cost of pet ownership, you can call your local veterinarian or emergency veterinary clinic. They may be able to give you a general estimate for the cost of certain services like wellness exams, vaccinations, microchipping, spaying and neutering, and more. This can help you create a budget or start a pet savings account.
At Emerald City Emergency Clinic, we offer 24/7 emergency pet care and pet veterinary services in Seattle, WA. We accept many pet insurance plans, as well as CareCredit and Scratchpay. We will give you a general estimate for the cost of services before we begin and do what we can to help you make an informed decision about the cost of care. Call now to let us know you’re coming in for a pet emergency.
