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Sep 29, 2008 7:21 pm US/Eastern
Cutting Corners: Pet Care Doesn't Have To Suffer
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
In these tough economic times, knowing how to cut corners painlessly can make all the difference. This doesn't just fall on the parents and children in a family to make some concessions; family pets can help as well!
It's time for Pierre Page's 8-month-old American Bulldog Bruce to have his second round of vaccination shots. To save money, Page decided to bring Bruce to the Miami-Dade County Humane Society.
"It's closer and it's just a little bit cheaper than going to the regular vet," Page explained. Nowadays, Page has to cut corners wherever he can to save money, but he still wants to be sure Bruce gets proper care.
"It's sad, it's sad when people have to make a decision about what to do with their pet because they can't afford to pay for their bills," said Laurie Hoffman of the Miami-Dade County Humane Society.
Hoffman says many pet owners are facing tough decisions during these hard economic times. "You have to kind of go down your list of what's important," she explained.
For example: pet insurance. "If it's a choice between pet insurance and a vaccine, get the vaccine. If it's a choice between pet insurance and food, feed your pet!"
Preventative measures are must-haves. A $25 vaccine could save you thousands of dollars in emergency care down the road.
Look around, like you would with anything else. That includes when it comes to food, grooming, and anything else pet-care-wise, says Dr. Brian Huntsman, another Miami-Dade County Humane Society employee. A little common sense and planning can go a long way toward caring for your pet.
"He's your best friend," Page said, "so you don't really… you'll go to any extent to take care of him. But money is an issue."
That's an issue Pierre Page has said has taught him to be a smarter shopper when it comes to his health, and that of his best friend.
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