Are You Ready For A New Dog?

AHeinz57 takes great pride in finding good homes for our pet friends and therefore our adoption process is very thorough. Remember that adopting a pet is an important decision that will affect your entire family.

Be Informed!

Find out more information about the breed you are interested in by looking up information about it on the internet. It will give you valuable information you may not have known about your potential pet. Some things to consider are:

  • Is this breed good with children?
  • How much does it shed?
  • Are there any inherent medical issues that are common with this breed?
  • Does it require extra exercise?

The more informed you are, the more likely you will find the right pet that can call your home its forever home.

Remember!

Any pet that you are considering to make part of your family, whether it is from an animal shelter or from a rescue organization, is transitioning from the place that he/she called home. This transition time is a very stressful time for any pet. They are in unfamiliar surroundings with people that they do not know. Some animals adjust very quickly. For some, it might take as long as 4 to 6 weeks to adjust to their new surroundings. In any case, we are looking for people who are willing to make a lifelong commitment to their pets.

Please consider adoption very carefully. Be sure to talk it over with every member of your family. A surprise pet does not make a good gift. Your new pet can be a 10+ year commitment so make sure that every member of the family is prepared to make such a commitment.

Dog Adoption Budget

Dogs are a long-term commitment in terms of love, attention, exercise, grooming, medical care, obedience classes and much more. Needless to say, they are also an expensive long-term commitment! Before you adopt a dog, take a look at the sample dog adoption budget below.

Prices have been left out, since they can vary widely depending on where you live. Take a trip to a local pet store and call a local vet to get estimates.

One-Time Costs

  • Leash and collar
  • Food and water bowls
  • Doggy bed
  • Puppy shots
    • Puppies will require additional sets of shots to protect them until their immune system is fully developed. Once they are adults, they only require an annual booster.
  • Brush/comb and nail clipper
  • Kennel/crate
    • Purchase a high-quality kennel. This is handy for a couple of reasons. First, it’s nice to be able to crate-train a puppy so that you don’t have messes all over the house. Second, kennels are great for keeping your dog safe when you travel or move.

Recurring Costs

  • Dog food (dry/moist)
    • Dry kibble is best for their teeth and health, but some people mix in a few teaspoons of moist food.
  • Treats
    • This can include dog cookies, jerky treats, rawhide chews, and so on.
  • Toys
    • It’s always good to have a toy or two lying around for your dog to play with. Toys will eventually wear out and need to be replaced.
  • Annual booster shot
    • Every year once your dog has matured into an adult, he or she will need an annual shot to keep healthy.
  • Heartworm medication
    • You live in an area where heartworm is a problem and your dog will need monthly heartworm prevention to prevent him from contracting it.
  • Flea or tick medication
    • You live in an area that is prone to ticks and fleas. Your dog needs monthly flea and tick prevention.
  • Licensing fees
    • Check with your city offices to determine if you need to purchase a license for your dog. Many cities require you to renew your licenses every year. They also often offer lower rates for dogs that are spayed or neutered.
  • Kennel care
    • Call a few local kennels to get an idea of what they charge per day. When you go on vacation or plan to be out of town for any other reason, you may need to leave your dog at a kennel.
  • Grooming
    • Budget for a half dozen tips to the vet or groomer for bathing, brushing, shaving, or nail clipping if you don’t plan to do this yourself.

Other Costs

  • “Destroyed-by-the-puppy” expenses
    • If you have a puppy, it is practically inevitable that it will destroy something. This can range from shoes or sofa cushions, to carpets and walls.
  • Unforeseen medical expenses, including dental care
    • Like people, our pets can sometimes get sick or require dental care. And yes, sometimes it can be serious and require hospitalization or specialized treatment. If you are worried about these types of costs, you may want to look into purchasing pet insurance for peace of mind.