Caring for Pets in an Economic Downturn
With unemployment approaching ten percent, incomes stagnant, and expenses rising, more and more Americans are feeling not only tightening budgets but perhaps also tightening chests. Earlier this year, CNN reported a study that found money to be the top cause of stress worldwide. The difficulties of making ends meet can be not only a financial burden but also a physiological one. In times like these, many people can benefit from proven stress-reducers such as exercise and meditation. Ironically, though, for some Americans, the economic downturn has made it harder to maintain one of the best stress-reducers of all: a pet.
For many of us, “family” includes the four-legged creatures that bring much joy to our homes. Our cats and dogs (and ferrets and hamsters…) can often be the brightest parts of our lives, especially in these gloomy economic times. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists on its website benefits of having a pet, including decreased blood pressure and increased opportunities for exercise and socialization. WebMD recommends caring for pets as a stress-relief technique and coping mechanism for dealing with difficult times. The human-pet relationship is clearly symbiotic—we provide them with food and shelter, they provide us with so much more.
For those who are struggling to pay for veterinary services and even food for their pets, assistance may be available through animal welfare organizations. For those who are able to meet their pets’ needs, the current economic downturn provides an opportunity to help those less fortunate by donating goods, money, and time.
Like humans, pets should receive routine medical care and, on occasion, require emergency medical treatment. For routine care, local animal welfare organizations may provide free or low-cost clinics. The Humane Society of Berks County (Pennsylvania), for example, writes on its website that it offers a need-based sliding scale of veterinary service rates. In addition, to promote the health of the public at large, many local governments have rabies vaccination programs for resident cats and dogs.
For emergency care, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) suggests talking with your veterinarian about payment plans and contacting local veterinary schools which may offer discounted care. HSUS also provides a list of just some of the organizations that offer assistance with veterinary care. One that is not listed is New York City’s Animal Care & Control. According to its website, the “Safety Net/Pets for Life NYC Program” has a network of low-cost vets available to see sick pets whose human companions meet approval criteria. In addition, many animal welfare organizations offer low-cost spay and neuter services to reduce the number of animals needing homes.
Another option for people worried about future veterinary expenses may be pet insurance. Once a rare product, pet insurance is now sold by many companies, and some employers even offer discounts on policies as part of their benefits packages. Policies vary in terms of coverage, exclusions, and deductibles. Whether the benefits of pet insurance outweigh the costs depends on many factors, including the type and breed of animal, its lifestyle, and the human companion’s philosophy on treatment of painful and terminal conditions. One advantage of pet insurance is that it can save hundreds or thousands of dollars in the event of an accident or an unexpected illness. A disadvantage, however, is that policies operate on a reimbursement-basis, so the policy owner must have sufficient upfront funds to cover treatments.
When it comes to food, government and charitable organizations offer help for humans; but finding assistance for the canine and feline members of the family can pose more of a challenge. The HSUS website provides a state-by-state listing of organizations that offer financial and other aid for pet-related expenses.
The list is not exclusive, and there are many more organizations that can help. Food pantries and food banks may also provide pet food to clients having difficulty feeding their pets.
Those people who don’t have to worry about food and medical care for their companion animals can help those less fortunate in many ways:
- Volunteer with local programs that offer free or low-cost veterinary and spay/neuter services. For charitable groups, time is often more valuable than money; for volunteers, helping animals—and their human companions—is both enjoyable and rewarding.
- Donate pet food and pet supplies to the local food bank or Meals on Wheels program. Food banks try to help the whole family—canine and feline members included.
- Volunteer with, or donate to, local animal welfare organizations that assist members of the community in caring for their pets. If a particular program is of interest, a targeted donation can be used to make sure the money goes to that cause.
- Organize a pet food drive for a local animal welfare group or food bank. Pet food drives not only collect needed supplies for animals, they also raise awareness of the fact that members of the community might need help caring for their best friends.
The economic downturn highlights the importance of organizations that offer assistance to people with pets so that economic struggles aren’t compounded by the emotional strain of being unable to provide for their loved ones. It also provides opportunities for more fortunate individuals to become involved with animal welfare groups serving their communities. It is also a chance for all of us to appreciate the small joys in life, particularly those that pitter-patter through our homes on four paws.
A special thanks to my feline companion, Abby, who “helped” me write this article and who, with her brother and sister, reminds me every day what true wealth is.
Copyright . Published 12 November 2009 in The Zone.
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