Being an excellent, caring pet owner involves many things that don't affect your wallet, like your time and love. There are certainly costs to plan for with pet adoption. If you've never owned a particular type of pet before, knowing how much your new pet will cost can be complicated.



When adopting an animal at the shelter, there will usually be a dog adoption fee. The rescuer often pays to have the animals neutered or spayed if they aren't already. They will provide vaccines, and pays for all medical care needed while the pets are in their rescue.



Food, beds, leashes, collars, tags, grooming, are upfront costs, but luckily much of that cost is not passed on. Typical adoption fees range from $100 to $300. Next, consider your necessary supplies such as a collar, IDs, microchip, leash, pet bed, bowls, and toys.



The highest cost will be food, which depends on the size and type of dog you will be adopting. The shelter can provide you with what kind of food to feed the dog you want to select and the cost.



Other expenses are mostly medical and will include regular vet checkups, and the potential for a trip to the animal hospital because of an accident, or illness. If you are away from your dog all day long, you may want to look into doggie daycare or a dog walker.



What should I expect and do at my veterinarian visits? Taking your newly adopted pet to the Veterinarian and finding a good Animal Hospital should be your priority. This is especially true if you have other pets. It's a good idea to make sure your new animal is healthy and doesn't have any diseases or viruses.



The best way to find a veterinarian is by asking people you know. The animal shelter or rescue group where you got your dog may have a good recommendation for you. You can use our free "Animal Hospital Locator" tool if you are unfamiliar with your location.



For proper preventative care, your dog or cat should be examined by a veterinarian more than once a year. A typical vet checkup includes searching for fleas using a special flea comb. Taking your dog's temperature, and a physical examination which will consist of checking your dog's eyes, nose, mouth, ears, teeth, skin, legs, joints, and genitals, and lymph nodes and listen to the heart and lungs.



It will be standard for the Veterinarian to stress the importance of avoiding parasites and will suggest options for bug prevention and control.