Choosing A Pet

Food and accessories for a small dog or cat average $150 per year; for a medium dog $300; for a large dog $450. Veterinary care fees range from $100 to $300 per year for the first 5 years for cats and dogs and can increase substantially in the later years of life. Grooming and boarding fees are an additional $125 to $200 per year.

Pets need love and attention. Dogs require far more time and effort than cats. Cats are wonderful for people who like companionship but don't have time to walk a dog every day or let it out to do its "business". Puppies need additional time devoted to shaping their behavior and training. Dogs need adequate room to play and exercise and should be walked often. It is strongly encouraged to enroll your adopted animal in an obedience class. These classes help by teaching the adopter how to train their new pet so they can avoid many of the behavior problems that may develop without training.

If you rent or live in restricted neighborhoods keep in mind that there are places that do not allow pets at all, while others allow only small dogs or cats. There may also be restrictions on the number of pets you may have. If you rent, Caldwell County Animal Control requires a letter from your landlord at the time of adoption specifying that the animal you are wishing to adopt is allowed at your residence.