Think before you buy...
Being a responsible pet owner means caring for your animal, ensuring it is registered, well-behaved and healthy. So before you fall in love with that cute little bundle of fur in the pet shop window, take a moment to think about the long-term commitment and expense that can be involved with owning a pet.
Initial costs
- Purchase. You could get a kitten for free from a friend, adopt a pet from a local animal shelter or SPCA or spend hundreds to thousands of dollars on a purebred pedigree dog.
- Shelter. Legally* you must be able to provide adequate shelter for your pet.
- Collar/lead/identification tag/food and water bowls. Legally*, you must also be able to provide adequate food and water for your pet.
- Securing your property to make it safe for a pet.
- Registration and microchipping fees. Legally*, a dog must be registered with the local council and newly registered dogs must also be microchipped.
- Veterinary care. Vaccinations, desexing, flea and worm control are all important parts of caring for a pet. They are not legal requirements but are highly recommended to aid in the long-term health of your cat or dog.
Daily costs
- Food. There are many options regarding pet food and although premium food purchased from a vet clinic or pet store may cost more per bag, it is often much more cost effective in terms of health benefits and food efficiency (i.e. you feed less per day).
Annual costs
- Registration. It is a legal* requirement for dogs to be registered with the local council on an annual basis.
- Vaccinations and flea and worm control. Vaccinations should ideally be repeated every one to two years and most flea and worm treatments should be given every two to three months.
Other costs
- Boarding kennel/cattery charges.
- Miscellaneous veterinary charges. If your pet becomes unexpectedly sick or is involved in an accident, it is important to know that you will be able to pay for any treatment that they may require.
- Training schools (puppy classes, obedience etc).
There are many costs involved with owning a pet so it is important to think about all of the above things before buying an animal. That way, you can become the best possible pet owner!
*Refer to the Dog Control Act 1996, Section 5.
