Our practice goal is not limited to offering the best after hours and emergency care for River Valley pet owners. We'd like to create great pet owners out of each and every client we see through our client education program. Each month, an employee will chose a subject and create a page just for educating area pet owners. Check back often for updates and interesting pet care facts.

When people are looking at the puppy in the window, rarely do they think of the costs involved (other than the purchase price and possibly some supplies). Future pet owners must understand that a pet is a major investment that will cost thousands of dollars over its life time. Here are three financial issues you should consider when purchasing a dog according to PetEducation.com:

1. The first concerns the purchase price of the dog. Many people balk at paying $500 to $1000 for a dog. They rationalize that they simply can not afford it and settle for a poorly bred $150 puppy instead. This can be a huge mistake. The cost of a guaranteed healthy, well-bred $1000 puppy is a fraction of what it will cost to own that dog for 12 years. A poorly bred dog with bad hips, allergies, and a not so bright disposition will end up costing you thousands more in medical bills not to mention hours of frustration and disappointment. At the same time, if you are not going to pay for a high quality purebred, then do the animal kingdom a favor and go to the shelter and get a mixed breed puppy that will be healthier and smarter than a poorly bred 'purebred.'

2. The second reason that the cost of owning a dog is important is that it is a big investment. This dog is going to cost you a lot of money, not to mention a tremendous amount of time. If you are not fully prepared to pay for a dog's needs and willing to spend a significant portion of your free time with the animal, then by all means do not get a dog. There are thousands of dogs put to sleep every year because the owners no longer want them or can not afford their care.

3. The third important reason to understand what owning a dog costs is that when you realize what owning a dog costs, you will take the ownership and your responsibility much more seriously. We would not dream in investing $10,000 on a car that we know nothing about, had no warranty, we had not driven, and was completely unsuitable for our use. Yet people do this more everyday and they get a puppy without researching its breed characteristics, medical history, and parental history.

Annual Cost of a Dog

After the first year, you can estimate the yearly price of owning a dog as follows:

• Food: $150-500
• Veterinary Exams: $45-150
• Vaccinations: $10-100
• Deworming and Fecal Exams: $20-40
• Heartworm Preventative: $25-130
• Grooming: $10-400
• Training: $0-500
• Supplies: $0-200
• Miscellaneous: $100-500

 As you can see, even that "free to a good home" puppy comes with financial responsibility. Before you jump into pet ownership, make sure you are fully prepared for the costs that little fellow will bring.

Education is the first step to great pet ownership.