When the world went into lockdown, millions of people adopted a pet. Now three years later, a small minority of pandemic pet owners have surrendered their cats and dogs, and these animals are overwhelming local charities and shelters.
If you’ve heard about the overcrowding at shelters, you might want to bring home one of these surrendered cats.
But before you sign the adoption papers, you need to think about how this fuzzy feline will fit into your life — and budget! Otherwise, you could join the ranks of those feeling adoption remorse.
1. How Much Will Their Ongoing Care Cost?
One of the best things about adopting a cat rather than going to a breeder is the cost. Not only is it cheaper, but your adoption fee includes an initial check-up, vaccinations, and even spaying or neutering.
These treatments will ensure your pet is in good health when you bring it home. However, you’ll be responsible for its health needs going forward. This includes an annual check-up and updating any vaccinations or medications.
On average, these visits will cost you between $90 and $200, leaving some room for local rates.
Consider saving a portion of each paycheck to go towards this annual cost. Over time, you’ll accumulate enough money to handle these visits without a second thought.
2. How Much Will Emergencies Cost?
Budgeting for an annual check-up you can schedule according to your preferences is easy. Emergencies that come out of the blue are a lot harder to handle by comparison.
Unfortunately, cats can be just as accident-prone as any human. They can tweak their back when attempting to climb furniture or swallow a rubber band and require immediate attention.
Urgent care is much more expensive than your cat’s routine appointment, especially if you need to take them to an after-hours clinic. That’s why most pet owners build up an emergency fund to help them cover these unusual costs.
If you haven’t saved up enough, talk to your vet about a payment plan. You can fill in the gaps by taking out legitimate loans online.
If you aren’t sure where to start with these loans, check out a financial institution like MoneyKey for more information. They offer resources on lines of credit and installment loans. You can also apply for legit online loans through MoneyKey if you meet their eligibility requirements.
3. What Other Costs Can You Expect with a Cat?
Just like any living creature, cats need to eat. A diet that contains both wet and dry food might not pack the same punch as an emergency vet visit, but this expense is a regular addition to your budget. It joins other monthly costs you need to budget for, like treats, grooming, litter, and even toys.
One less frequent, but no less important cost is cat sitting or boarding. One day there may come a time when you want to take a vacation, you might get pulled away on business, or you must travel for a funeral.
While cats are independent creatures,
they should not be left alone for too long. Professional pet sitters can be costly, so ask your neighbors, friends, or family for help. Only consider legitimate loans online in emergencies, like unexpected and essential travel.
Avoid Adoption Remorse
Make sure you’re ready for the cost of a cat, so you don’t regret adopting your furry friend! Follow this guide for insights and crunch the numbers to create a budget.