A pet is a financial responsibility

For many families, the excitement of bringing a new pet home often gives way to the responsibilities that come with caring for the health & safety of an animal. In many ways, adding a pet to a family is the same as adding a new family member.

Too often, not taking the time to consider the financial impact of a pet can end in pets being abandoned by families who do not want to meet, or cannot meet, the financial responsibility of caring for their pet.

In order to help families be better prepared for the responsibility of pet ownership, here are some estimates on what it costs to care for a variety of different common pets.

All information provided courtesy of article by Stephen Zawistowski, Ph.D., Sr. VP Animal Sciences, ASPCA. The spreadsheet is a rough estimate; costs vary by location and personal preference. It considers generally essential costs and does not include boarding, walking, day care, etc. As pets age, their veterinary costs will escalate. The chart does not include the price of obtaining a pet (adoption fee or purchase price).

Information obtained from PetFinder.com.