Free Puppies!

“Please mom, oh please, please, puuuuuhlease!”

Who hasn’t heard the desperate plea for pet ownership? A free puppy, a displaced kitten … a cute addition to the family? Pretty hard to resist, we know. While we’re not advocating a no-pet policy here, we do want you to consider the costs associated with pet ownership before caving to the cuteness factor. What costs? Here’s what Americans spent on their pets in 2010 …

Food
$18.28 billion

Veterinarian Care
12.79 billion

Supplies/OTC Medicine
$11.01 billion

Grooming/Boarding/Other Services
$3.45 billion

Live Animal Purchases
$2.21 billion

Yep, those are BILLIONS of dollars. We do love our pets, to the collective tune of $47.74 billion in 2010.  And those dollars don’t include costs ($25,000 or more) that can pop up if your pet hurts someone … or your homeowners insurance is dropped because you’ve chosen a pet with a reputation for aggressive behavior.

We don’t want to make it sound as though pet ownership is a huge financial burden with no redeeming qualities. Owning a pet comes with some nice advantages. Of course you get the unconditional love, but it can also decrease your blood pressure, cholesterol levels and stress, as well as help you with any feelings of loneliness or isolation. Pets can also increase your opportunities for exercise and socialization. They can even improve your mood!

So, if you’re going back and forth on whether there will be a kitten in that stocking or a puppy under the tree, here are some things you should consider:

Homework
First and foremost, be sure you can afford a pet. Crunch the numbers. Click here for a chart (from The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals—ASPCA) showing first-year costs for various pets.

You can talk with owners of the specific pet you’re looking into for a better understanding of not only the costs, but the time and commitment involved as well.

Getting Ready
If you’ve decided that having a pet is a go, be sure to pet-proof your home. This is much like adding safety to your home when a new baby is brought home. Consider the hazards. Toxic plants and electric cords are two things to consider right off the bat. Remove small objects and articles of clothing from easy-to-reach locations. Sure enough, a dog or cat will put a good chew on such easy pickings. And remember, this isn’t a one-time-and-your-done thing. You’ll need to stay on top of this stuff on a daily basis.

Training
If you let a pet do what it wants, chances are pretty good what it will do isn’t going to be anything you want done. That’s why training is so important. A well-trained pet is so much more pleasant to have around. No digging up the garden. No chewing on those new shoes. No foul “statements” left in front of the couch. Friends may be able to point you to a good trainer. Or check out local pet stores; they often have affordable group classes.

Insurance
You insure your valuables, and many people consider their pets invaluable, so why not insure your pet(s)? Pet insurance can help manage any large medical costs associated with a pet so you don’t have to sacrifice your pet’s health or your budget.

Having a pet can be rewarding, but it comes with responsibilities in both a personal commitment sense, and a financial sense. Are you ready for all the responsibilities?

Did you know Vantage offers pet insurance through PurinaCare®? The name Purina should tell you all you need to know about the quality of this program. You can choose from three plans that cover conditions from illness to surgery to prescription medications to annual exams. Plus, as a Vantage member, you’ll receive a 5% monthly discount (10% monthly if you cover two pets).

Click here for more information about pet insurance through Vantage and PurinaCare, plus to get a free quote.

Have additional questions? Talk to one of our insurance professionals.
314.264.5365