Worth of a pet? Priceless. Cost of a pet? Get your calculator.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recently estimated that with unemployment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 4.2 million pets in the United States may enter poverty in the next several months.
The Associated Press reports that since it was launched in March, the ASPCA’s $5 million COVID-19 Relief & Recovery Initiative has provided $2 million in grant funding, set up new pet-food distribution centers in cities including Los Angeles, Miami, New York and Asheville, N.C., and helped more than 268,000 dogs, cats and horses nationwide, including distributing about 1,800 tons of food.
Meanwhile, pet adoption has been soaring among people staying home to avoid spreading the virus. So the people at Rover. com conducted a survey of 1,000 U.S.-based pet owners in July, via Attest, to see how much the average dog or cat owner will spend on four-legged companions. Rover found that although it can cost as much as $2,000 to $9,000 a year to keep a dog or cat, most people don’t budget for those expenses.
While pet lovers can’t put a price on their companions, the surveys shed some light on the financial impact of pet ownership.
How much does a dog cost?
The cost of dog ownership depends on factors including your lifestyle and whether you adopt from a shelter or buy from a breeder. According to Rover, the initial cost of
Anastasia Medvedeva, an organizer of the online adoption initiative “Happiness Delivered At Home,” pets Ratna, about 3 year old hunting dog, left, and Goldy, a mixed toy terrier.
getting a dog in 2020 can range from $610 to $2,350 up front, including adoption fees, spaying/neutering, veterinary check-ups, toys, treats and equipment. The cost of keeping
that dog runs from $650 to $2,295 a year.
In Rover’s survey, however, 47% of dog owners said they spend about $3,400 on their dogs each year, while 32% say they budget $100 or less monthly for their dog’s expenses. So, before getting a dog, take a look at the price ranges for each expense and determine your budget and priorities.
Initial Costs
• Spay/neuter
$35 to $400.
• Vaccinations: $75-$100.
• Flea and tick prevention: $40-$200.
• Heart worm $25-$120.
• Pet license: Cost depends where you live and whether the animal is neutered. For instance, the City of Rochester charges $3 for a neutered dog or $15 for an intact dog; in Rochester Hills it’s $10.50 or $18 for one year, with a discount for senior citizens and also for multiple years. In Mount Clemens, both cats and dogs must wear a license tag outside their home, and either costs $8.
surgery: prevention:
• Microchip: $45.
• Collar/harness: $5-$50, leash $10-$40.
• Poop bags: $5-$10.
• Food, bowls: $10-$50.
• Crate: $30-$150
• Pet bed: $5-$200.
• Toys: $10-$200.
• Treats: $5-$15
• And if you rent your home, you’ll likely need to put down a pet deposit before bringing your pup home. This expense usually adds up to about $200$500 for the average renter.
Food costs can range widely — from $200 to $1,000 per year — depending on brand and how much your dog eats. Some dog parents opt for fresh food instead of dry or canned, often through a home delivery service, which can cost closer to $4,800 per year.
Needed routine veterinary visits and vaccinations cost $210 on average per year.