I’ve been busy this week trying to help find foster homes for pets. I don’t think I helped much though. There are so many pets that need temporary homes while their people are working out living arrangements. Or, they need forever homes because their people have lost their place to live and couldn’t keep their pets. It’s a heartbreaking situation to be in. I feel for everyone involved, pets and people.

So, I came up with some tips to make keeping pets more affordable. These tips aren’t going to pay your mortgage, but they could save you a couple hundred dollars a year.

First, spay or neuter your pet. You knew I was going to say that, right? If you know you’re not going to have to buy extra feed for puppies and nursing moms, or pay vet fees for puppy shots and worming, that will save you quite a bit right there. And it won’t just save you money. It will save your peace of mind. Check with PETA or your local animal control. They have neuter scooters or snip mobiles where you can get your pets spayed or neutered for a nominal fee. It’s usually a lot less than your vet charges.

Second, take advantage of shot clinics. A lot of pet stores have shot clinics or vet days where you can get your pet’s vaccines very cheap. Sometimes you can even get an exam done for a small charge too. I know PetSmart does this. Check with whatever pet store is closest to you. Also, call the local shelters and PETA. Sometimes they sponsor clinics like this. Now, using clinics is not the same as having a regular vet. You still need a vet that has a record of your pet’s health but, you can save money on routine things like shots and flea control.

 Third, buy the biggest bag of food you can afford. If you check the price per ounce or price per pound, the big bags cost less. Just store the food in airtight containers when you get home. Gallon size zipper bags work well and can be stored in those popcorn tins everyone has at Christmas. You can buy plastic containers or reuse containers of all sizes to keep the food in.

Also, buy the highest quality food you can afford. Cheap food may cost less the first time but, it actually costs more in the long run. You have to feed twice as much so you buy twice as much. It also isn’t digested well and can cause upset stomachs in your pets. Quality food appears to cost more but, you use half as much, it’s digested better, and makes the poops smaller. It’s also better for your pet’s health which means fewer vet bills.

If you use canned food, buy in bulk. At some stores a case of canned food costs the same as the individual cans. But some stores, like warehouse clubs, sell a case of food cheaper. I know I can get a case of Friskies at Sam’s Club cheaper than I can get the individual cans at Wal-Mart. It’s at least $4 cheaper.

Next, use coupons. You can get coupons for all the different brands of food and treats. If they aren’t available in the newspaper, go to the website. Pedigree and Purina always have some kind of coupon on their websites. And, coupons aren’t just for food. There are coupons for all kinds of treats too. You know what kind of treats your pet loves. Why not save some money when you buy them? Also, you can get some treats without coupons at the warehouse clubs. Just check the price per pound to make sure it’s a good deal. Don’t use coupons to buy treats your pet won’t eat though. That’s a waste of money even if it is cheaper. If you get a real good deal, consider donating some food or treats to your local shelter. I know they’ll appreciate it.

Have you considered making your own treats? You already have most of the ingredients in your kitchen. It just takes time and a good recipe. You can get great recipes on the internet for any kind of treat you want to bake. There are even recipes for horse and bird treats. Just do an internet search for pet treat recipes, dog treat recipes, etc.

If you need pet accessories like collars and leashes, shampoos, or flea control, check in pet catalogs. I use UPCO, www.upco.com, a lot. There’s also Drs. Foster and Smith, L. L. Bean, and other catalogs with good prices. They even have sales that make things cheaper even if you do pay shipping.

Well, I hope these tips help you save some money. It takes some time to keep everything organized, but it’s worth it. You and your pet will have more money to play with. Then you can buy some gas so you can take your best friend to the dog park.

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