When setting budget,
include family pets
By Christine Cowett Robinson
The craft fair last weekend was a huge success and loads of fun! I got a chance to visit with old friends and meet a lot of nice people who wanted to share their “critter” stories with me. As you know, we are selling tickets on a beautiful hand-made, three-story doll house. We sold $70 in tickets already, so you had better head to the shelter and buy your tickets now before it is too late. The drawing will be on the last day of pictures with Santa Paws in December.
We are still overloaded with cats. It is very sad to walk into the shelter because everywhere you look there is a cat in a cage. What part of spay and neuter your cats do people not get? Why is it so difficult to be responsible and have this surgery done? Honestly, I just don’t understand.
The average number of litters a fertile cat can produce in one year is three. The average number of kittens in a feline litter is four to six. In seven years, one female cat and her offspring can theoretically produce 420,000 cats. Only one in 12 of those 420,000 cats born finds a home. If these statistics don’t make you sick, visit the Central Aroostook Humane Society and look into their beautiful little faces; there are just not enough responsible good homes for all of them. There are no excuses for anyone allowing a pet cat to have kittens.
Our dog population at the shelter is on the rise again as well. If you are looking to adopt a dog, check out the wonderful dogs we have. Remember, owing a pet is a lot of responsibility.
The basic yearly cost of owning a dog according to about.com:
• Food and treats $250-700;
• Toys $25-150;
• Beds $50-200;
• Leashes and collars $20-50;
• Grooming $30-500;
• Routine veterinary care $100-300;
• Preventive medications and supplements $100-300;
• Training classes or resources $25-300; and
• Pet sitters or boarding $100-300.
That comes to a yearly total of $700 to $2,800. On a monthly basis, that’s approximately $60-235 to own a dog.
Of course, this is just an estimate and depends on what part of the country you live in and what type of dog you own, but these are all things you need to consider before you adopt a dog.
Now is the time to adopt a cat, they are still half off the regular price, which is one heck of a good deal.
If you are looking for a friend for life, visit the Central Aroostook Humane Society. We are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday. You can also find us on Facebook or at www.centralaroostookhumanesocie.org.
Have your pets spayed or neutered.
