It appears nothing or no one has been excluded from today's tough economy - including pets and their owners.
"I would say it's the medical care that people are having the most trouble with," said Kim Whittaker, director of the Huntingdon County Humane Society. "Many people can't afford to pay the (veterinarian) bills, or they've had to move into a smaller place because they could no longer afford their homes."
She said "several" pets have been surrendered to the society in the last eight months by owners who said they either could no longer afford to feed their pets or could no longer afford a suitable living envirnonment to keep them in or seniors living on a fixed income, are forced to choose between their pets or medications.
The end result: Abandoned animals.
"No matter how many years you've been working here (Whittaker's been at the society for 11 years), it's something you never get used to," she said of the pet surrender process. "It's something you just kind of stand in awe of ... it's very difficult."
But for many cash-strapped pet owners, there's often no viable alternative.
A 2007-2008 survey, conducted by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association in Connecticut, estimates that dog owners spent an average of $219 for veterinary visits annually and that cat owners spent an average of $175 on routine veterinary visits alone.
"We certainly don't object to people calling us to shop for prices," said Dr. Kelly Yeager, associate veterinarian at Lakemont Veterinary Clinic Inc. in Altoona. "We'd rather you know what things are going to cost ahead of time than to come in and say, 'I can't afford this.'"
Yeager said yearly routine physical examinations ($26), rabies vaccines ($12) and distemper shots ($23) are the most commonly asked about services for both cats and dogs. Surgeries for both can range from $100 to "upwards of $1,000."
The following are figures provided by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, New York, N.Y.
* Heartworm disease
Prevention: Monthly pills for a 25-pound dog: $60 per year; yearly test, $25. Treatment: Exam, bloodwork, radiographs and injections for a straightforward case, about $500. The cost can exceed $1,000 for "more complex" cases.
* Flea and ticks
Prevention: About $20 per month for topical medication for a 25-pound dog. Treatment for flea-and-tick-borne disease: Exam, diagnostic testing and 30 days of antibiotics would cost about $200 for a simple case.
* Kennel cough
Prevention: Exam and vaccine, $105. Treatment: Exam, radiograph and medication are about $270. If pneumonia develops, hospitalizationand treatment are about $1,200 to $1,600.
Yeager said most veterinary services are small businesses, and as such, cannot afford to provided many monetary concessions to clients, but there are low-cost community clinics nationwide that can assist low-income residents with pet care such as rabies vaccinations, such as those run through the Central Pennsylvania, Bedford County and Huntingdon County Humane Societies.
"If it's truly a problem to financially take care of your pet, I would say call us, and we'll do whatever we can to try and work with you," said Debbie Pierce, director of marketing at the CPHS in Altoona. "But if you can, remember that when you adopt an animal into your home, it's a commitment for life - they become a part of your family."
And if you have to surrender an animal, be honest about the whys and wherefores, added CPHS Manager Debbie Simon.
"That's our biggest thing," she said. "Please tell the truth about the animal and why you're giving it up. The more we know about a dog or cat, the easier and quicker it is to get it adopted. We don't want money, we just want to be able to care for them and find them a good home."
Staff Writer Jimmy Mincin is at 946-7460.
