Click through the above menu to access pet first aid information, find places with low cost veterinary care and pet supplies, learn what you can do to lessen the strain put on shelters in light of the pet abandonment crisis, and more! 

Pets are expensive. No surprise here.

An ASPCA study found that "40 percent of low-income pet owners surrendering an animal to a shelter said they would have kept their pet if they'd had access to affordable vet care, and 30 percent said the same if they could have gotten free or low-cost pet food."

But maybe more expensive than you think?

"The cost of a pet in the first year alone is just over $1,000 on average. In a recent survey Credit.com conducted asking how much people would expect a dog or cat to cost in the first year, only one in five answered correctly. The majority of respondents underestimated the cost, expecting the expenses to fall between $500 and $1,000" (Credit.com, "The True Cost of Owning a Dog or Cat").

The first year of owning a pet is on average the most expensive, with one-time expenses piling up such as spaying/neutering or buying a crate. Those taking in animals need to consider more than base rates of food, but initial costs- including medical expenses. 

Pet care costs are fluctuating.

Pet care costs are changing more dramatically than they ever have, leaving pet owners scrambling to take care of their animals. What you may be experiencing isn't unusual, and you're not alone!