The real reason people don't want their pets

You wouldn’t guess it to look at him, but Ajax has the doggy equivalent to panic attacks. He’s terrified of open spaces, new people and other dogs. But I’m cool with him needing a bit of extra care.


The vet thinks Ajax would benefit from medication and I’ll do whatever it takes to make him well.. er. However, I can’t deny I was disturbed when my vet presented me with an $80 bill for one months supply of an anti-depressant. And they said this would catch on?


Good thing this is only for the term of Ajax’s natural life… five or six years tops (ouch!)


Then today I saw an article in the New York Times that says the real reason people surrender their pets is because they can’t afford vet care.

Buying a pet is only the beginning. The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association asked 580 dog owners and 402 cat owners to record the amount they spent in the last 12 months on specific pet-related items.

The dog owners spent almost $2,000; cat owners about $1,200. If you want a real deal, small animals came in at just under $300.

“With dogs, so much depends on the size and age,” said Bob Vetere, president of the association. Annual costs “can vary from $400 to $500 a year to thousands.”

“If you start worrying about cataracts or tumors, you could get into thousands without breaking a sweat.”

The national average for a veterinarian visit in 2006 was $135 for dogs and $112 for cats, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Far too many people underestimate the cost of raising a dog or cat, Mr. Vetere said, and “I think that’s what fills up shelters.”

“Poor people shouldn’t have pets” I hear you say. Well, I work full time and am not even close to poor, yet this has the ability to sure make things farking hard. I can’t imagine what it would feel like if put in the position of having to choose between petrol for your car or vet care for your dog.


Rescue organise many valuable initiatives in an effort to reduce the number of homeless pets, but low price vet care for owners unable to cover their bills might just be a very noble cause indeed.


Read more:
What I wouldn’t do for my cat
How to say no to your vet