How to Save Over $1000 on a Puppy This Christmas
December 5, 2010 by Paris Permenter and John Bigley
Filed under Adopting a dog, Tips
Christmas is not a good time for most families to add a puppy to their home. Schedules are busy, there’s a lot of excitement in the house, and people are coming and going. Some dog care books and maybe an “IOU a Dog” certificate make a better present so the entire family can make the decision together on a dog when the time is right, remembering that this is a decision you’ll live with for many years.
However, we know that Christmas is definitely one of the most popular times of the year for getting a puppy. With that in mind, we want to point out a quick and easy way Christmas shoppers can save over $1,000 (and sometimes much more) on that Christmas puppy:
Adopt a puppy from a shelter or rescue.
Does your child have his or her mind set on a particular breed? No problem; breed rescues feature adoptable dogs often of a particular breed. Run by lovers of the breed (usually volunteers), breed rescues have dogs that often live in foster homes so you’ll be able to learn about the dog’s behavior (and might get lucky and find a dog already housetrained!) The American Kennel Club has a special breed rescue section with information on breed rescues for each AKC-recognized breed! Another great resource is Petfinder.com; you can search for rescues and shelters near you. (Did you know that about one-fourth of all dogs in shelters are purebreds? What a bargain!)
Does your child want a puppy and not an adolescent or adult dog? Again, no problem. You’ll find many (many) puppies at shelters and rescues everywhere. You can search Petfinder.com and limit your search to puppies only. (Remember, though, if you get a slightly older dog you can probably avoid that puppy chewing phase and very well might get a housetrained dog.)
How Much Money Will You Save?
Just how much will you save by adopting a rescue dog instead of purchasing a dog for Christmas? That will depend on the breed of the puppy you’re seeking. With the average price of a purebred dog running about $800 (and some much more–on a quick Internet search we found puppies for as much as $2500), you’ll quickly see that the fees for rescue dogs are far less expensive. Look for about a $100 fee (usually a donation) at shelters and about $200-300 at most rescues. Aside from the money you save on that initial fee, you’ll also save a considerable amount because:
- the rescue dog is often spayed or neutered. This will save you $150-$250, depending on whether you’re adopting a male or female and depending on your vet’s fees. It’s also a big time-saver to get a pre-neutered dog…no running to the vet for surgery, no attending to your dog to make sure the stitches aren’t pulled out…you get the picture…
- a rescue dog will have been checked by a vet and received shots appropriate for his age. The rescue dog will have been checked by a vet and received shots appropriate for his age and medications for parasites. Deworming alone runs about $30 and that doesn’t even start to cover the cost of vet visits and shots. Compare this to the pet store dog whose health is uncertain, at best. (Remember: almost all dogs at pet stores are the product of unhealthy–not to mention inhumane–puppy mills. And if you order a dog on the Internet, you can bet you’re probably buying from a puppy mill. You’ll have no idea of that dog’s health which means you’re putting your children at risk.)
- many rescue dogs and puppies will be microchipped. Shelters and rescues generally microchip their dogs, saving you about $50.
Smart shopping is a big part of the fun of Christmas shopping. If you will be shopping for a Christmas puppy this year, some savvy shopping can save you at least $1,000 on your dog…and that’s something to howl about!
About Paris Permenter and John Bigley
DogTipper publishers Paris Permenter and John Bigley are a husband-wife team of full-time writers. The couple has authored over two dozen books and 2,500+ magazine articles.
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