Editor's Note: This article originally ran in the April 2022 issue of Prme
By Debbie Gardner
dgardner@thereminder.com
Inflation hits everyone in the pocketbook, and that can include your budget for pet care and feeding.
With that thought in mind, Prime reached out to the people at Dakin Humane Society for advice on finding affordable pet health care, and keeping our pets fed as budgets shrink.
Here’s the advice Stacey Price, Dakin director of development and marketing, and Lee Chambers, Dakin media relations and development specialist, shared with us:
Q: Just like humans, pets need an annual checkup. What are the basics to expect at a vet appointment? Are there any affordable alternatives for portions of the care, like shots?
For a start, vaccinations (shots) are an important part of pet care if your pet is due to receive them. Rabies vaccinations, for example, are required by law. If you find your veterinarian’s fees challenging, there are vaccine clinics that take place around the Pioneer Valley. Dakin just hosted three vaccine clinics in April and may host others later this spring. Other options include:
Otherwise, a pet’s annual appointment is very important as allows your veterinarian to listen to their heartbeat (aging pets may develop a murmur, or if they already have one, it may have intensified), check their ears and eyes, and palpate their abdominal area for any growths or irregularities, among other tasks. Sometimes the annual checkup is where a problem is detected and treated, preventing it from becoming a more serious issue. It’s not unlike the importance of us tending to our own health as well!
Q: Is pet insurance ever a good investment, especially if you are on a budget? Can older pets get affordable coverage?
Every circumstance is different, depending on the age of the pet, medical history and budgetary concerns of their people. A recent article in Newsweek included interviews with veterinarians about pet insurance and can be found here: https://www.newsweek.com/pet-insurance-worth-it-vet-plan-1686725
As far as which provider to consider, it helps to do some research online to see comparative rates from different companies. Some helpful links include:
Q: With rising costs and supply chain shortages, do you have tips for keeping pets fed? Is help available for pet owners whose budgets are stretched thin?
Pet food availability has been affected by supply chain shortages and many people have turned to online food ordering to ensure that their pet’s wet or dry foods will be available to them.
If people are facing food instability issues, one of Dakin’s most important programs is their Pet Food Aid Program, which offers free dog or cat food so people and pets can stay together. To learn more about this program, please visit https://www.dakinhumane.org/pet-food-aid.html.