Troubled Times for People and Pets

By isak, April 22, 2009

Keeping People and Pets Together During Hard Financial Times

A recent trend has been with people struggling to keep their pets during these difficult financial times. We hear of some people who forgo purchasing their medication or eating properly so they can afford pet food. Or a senior citizen who has given half of her daily food from Meals on Wheels to her cat because giving up the comfort of a beloved companion animal is not an option. We even receive calls from people who have found a pet abandoned in a home and need assistance to get help for that animal. But instead of abandoning a pet in a foreclosed home or rushing to a decision to surrender a pet for financial reasons, people should realize that they have other options. The human-animal bond is too strong to risk adding the emotional distress of giving up a pet on top of current financial troubles.

Changing Your Financial Lifestyle

Following are some tips that may help you or others in your community keep their pets.

• Don’t be afraid to discuss your financial situation with your veterinarian and ask him or her to prescribe only those vaccinations or treatments which are critical to your pet’s health. If the cost is higher than what you can immediately pay, ask your veterinarian for a payment plan.
• Reduce or eliminate luxury items for your pets, including treats and toys, and reduce visits to the groomer or dog spa. If your pet requires frequent grooming or bathing, consider learning how to handle these tasks yourself, or ask your local animal shelter or rescue organization if a volunteer can provide the service for a reduced fee.
• If you are struggling to pay your pet sitter or dog walker, consider asking family, friends or neighbors (including responsible older children) to pet sit or dog walk, so you can reduce or eliminate those costs.
• Check with your local Meals on Wheels to see if pet food is available through the organization’s “We All Love Our Pets” initiative. With support from the Banfield Charitable Trust, grants are available to local Meals on Wheels agencies to provide pet food to clients. For more information, visit www.mowaa.org.

People and their beloved pets should never have to be separated, especially in a time of crisis. Although many people are feeling the effects of the economic crisis, we are all in this together. And, together, we can help our neighbors in need — and their pets — get through it.

reprinted from the National Humane Review

Do you know someone having problems? Here are some more tips that may help. You can print them out to give to them… or pass them out to their friends in case they know someone who may need help.