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If you want to adopt a pet and want to avoid some of the initial major expenses, please see you local SPCA’s. The private shelters usually have the financial resources and requirements to ensure that the pets that are adopted are already spayed or neutered and have had their initial vaccinations. Most will have tested cats for Feline Leukemia and dogs over 6 months will have been tested for Heartworm Disease. You will have saved somewhere between $200-$300 if you adopt a pet completed on its initial vaccinations and surgery. You still need to have a budget if you take on the responsibility and care of another life. Dogs and cats both should be on heartworm prevention all year round, and the cost will vary with the size of the dog. The cost for you cat will vary depending on which product you use and whether you opt for flea control, too. You will need to budget somewhere between $30-$100+ a year depending on the size of the dog and whether you also need flea and tick control.
Good quality food also needs to be in your monthly budget. The premium foods do not always cost as much as the consumer might think. The better quality the food the less the animal might require, so the cost differential may be very small. Your new pet will require booster vaccinations that will need to be budgeted for. If you are a resident of Johnston County you can get your dog vaccinated for Rabies for free by claiming the dog(s) as property and your cats can be vaccinated for Rabies for $5.00. (Please call Animal Control to find out when and where they are sponsoring the yearly clinics and please remember you should not let the rabies vaccine expire just to wait for the clinic but you can take your pets to the Rabies clinics before their vaccine expires so your pet is protected against disease and you are protected legally).
Dogs and cats also need other vaccinations against such as Distemper/Parvo/Leukemia/Kennel Cough and you can check with your veterinarian to get an estimate of how much to budget on an annual basis for the yearly exam.
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