Are You Ready to Own a Dog?

About six to eight million cats and dogs enter animal shelters each year, according to the Humane Society of the United States. Of these, about three to four million are euthanized.

Three of the top 10 reasons why people relinquish their dog to an animal shelter include not having enough time to care for a pet, high cost of caring for a dog and inadequate facilities, according to the National Council on Pet Population Study & Policy.

These factors are foreseeable. The following tips should give you insight as to whether you are ready to bring a dog into your home.

1. Puppies cost money long after you purchase them.
Some people pay thousands of dollars for a purebred puppy, either from a breeder or from a local pet shop. Others may pay less than $100 for a puppy from a breeder or from a local animal shelter. Either way, the costs do not stop at the final sale.

Depending on what age puppy you purchase or adopt, it will need a series of vaccinations, just like a human baby. Puppies typically receive vaccinations between six to nine weeks of age, followed by boosters every three weeks until 16 weeks. After the initial vaccines and boosters, dogs should be vaccinated yearly, according to Vaccination Guidelines for Dogs & Cats.

Puppy vaccinations can cost anywhere from $40 to $80 per set. Many veterinary clinics offer packages that include all puppy vaccinations. These typically cost $150 to $300.

You should also keep in mind that puppies may develop other illnesses, and additional trips to the vet can range anywhere from $50 to $150 or more. After a certain age, you will also want to provide flea and heartworm protection for your pet, which can cost roughly $70 or more, depending on the size of your dog.

It is important to remember that dogs also require food and supplies. Depending on the size and breed, dog food can cost as little as $10 per month or more than $40 per month. Other items, like dog crates for house-training, chew toys, leashes, collars, food bowls and more will cost money.

The following sites will give you an estimation of the average cost of owning a dog for the first year of its life, and the estimated yearly cost of owning an animal.