Counting the Costs of Raising a Puppy

You see the advertisements everywhere; in the local paper, taped to store windows, bulletin boards and written in black marker on giant poster board, tacked onto utility poles on street corners in any given town in America. "FREE PUPPIES". Those cuddly bundles of fur-faced innocence that carry the implied promise of undying loyalty and affection. But what are you really getting into? Is that puppy really free? Before you give in to the impulse to take home that free puppy, you may want to count the cost.

Your' new puppy will require several things in order to grow into a happy, healthy adult dog. First, your' new friend will need puppy shots at an average cost of $26.00. He or she will also need heartworm testing and preventative at a starting cost of $25.00 on up, depending on weight. There will be a rabies vaccine for $11.50 and flea and tick prevention starting at $42.00 for a three month course for a small dog, with the cost going higher for medium to large breed dogs. You will also need to spay or neuter your' puppy at an average cost of $57.00 to $70.00.

Now you need food and food bowls that will cost between $20.00 to $45.00 and don't forget the collar and leash for another $15.00 to $20.00. By the way, a city license runs $7.00 to $25.00 depending on where you live.

Are you going to crate train your puppy or buy him a dog house? Either way, you'll pay up to $150.00. Do you rent your' home? You may have to pay a pet deposit at an average of $200.00. Will you have your' new puppy groomed for an average of $40.00 to $75.00? Don't forget those chew toys to save your' furniture for another $5.00 to $20.00.

After all is said and done, that free puppy has cost you $709.50. So much for free. Another thing that you may want to consider is that with the majority of give away puppies, you simply do not know the bloodlines of the animal, making it impossible to know beforehand of any special health risks within that particular line, which down the road, can cost a great deal of time, money and heartache.

Consider all of these things the next time that you are tempted to stop and pick out a free puppy. In the end, "free" may cost you more than you bargained for.