Free Pet Adoptions at the Lafayette Animal Shelter; Things to Buy for Home

(Lafayette, LA) - You may have been craving the companionship of a dog or cat for your Lafayette home, but perhaps you wondered whether or not you could afford a pet. Bissell Pet Foundation is paying adoption fees, and we'll break down a few basic numbers and guidelines to help you decide whether you can afford a pet.

Let's start with the Lafayette Animal Shelter and Care Center teaming up with the Bissell Pet Foundation to have an "Empty the Shelters" event from Friday, September 18 through Wednesday, September 30.

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The Bissell Pet Foundation Invites Lafayette to Adopt Eligible Pets at No Charge

Snuggling up to a cat or dog is a wonderful way to enhance your life and the life of a pet just waiting to be adopted. Bissell Pet Foundation is helping the Lafayette Shelter by waiving adoption fees. That's one way you can save money while still bringing a furbaby into your home.

Expenses Related to Pet Adoption in Lafayette

While no one can give you an exact dollar amount on what you might spend per month or annually on a pet, we can outline the different areas where you will need to spend money for your new pet. These are general guidelines for a potential pet owner to consider. When considering a pet adoption, talk to shelter staff for their input on the costs of owning a pet.

Food Is One of the Basic Necessities for Adopting a Pet in Lafayette; What Are the Costs?

The biggest necessity for a dog or cat is food. Rover.com reports that the average cost of dog food ranges from $ 0.76 a day to $4.86 a day. It depends on the type of food you plan to feed and the dog's size. Pet Place says expect to pay between $15 and $22 each month to feed your pet.

Pets Have to Have Vaccinations in Lafayette; Expenses Detailed

If you plan to adopt a pet, vaccinations are necessary for your furry friend's health and well-being. When you adopt from the Lafayette Animal Shelter, the animal will have the shots it needs, but you'll still need yearly shots for things like rabies and kennel cough.

READ MORE: DRIVE-THROUGH RABIES VACCINATION CLINIC FOR DOGS IS A FREE EVENT IN LAFAYETTE

Chewy.com points out that expenses vary each year depending on which shots you choose and whether you look into nonprofits that offer free or reduced-cost vaccinations. A typical puppy, for example, is expected to cost $100 to $300.

Your Pet Will Likely Need a Crate When You Adopt Them in Lafayette

It's a good idea to get your dog or cat a crate or carrying apparatus. Whether you need to take them somewhere in your car or your dog wants to run in there during thunderstorms, your pet needs a safe place that is all their own. PetSmart has crates for medium-sized dogs that cost between $35 and $70.

Remember, in Louisiana, you must have shelter for any dog, cat, or other animal that will primarily stay outside. Louisiana law requires shelters to have floors and walls that protect from the elements.

Grooming Might Be Something You Should Budget for if Adopting a Pet in Lafayette

If you are thinking of adopting a pet during Lafayette's "Empty the Shelters" program, you will need to consider if your animal will need grooming. You'll also need to consider whether you can groom it yourself.

Obviously, a cat grooms itself, but some dogs need grooming. If the dog has lots of hair, then you might have to pay for grooming once a month. For dogs with shorter hair, you might not have to take them in as often. Do more research once you have started to narrow down what kind of dog you might want to take home.

These Are Basic Expenses for the Future After Adopting a Dog in Lafayette

No one can give you an exact dollar amount per month or per year for adopting an animal, but these guidelines will give you a good idea of what to consider.

I've happily welcomed several pets into my home over the years, and while most were relatively easy to care for and didn't strain my budget, some pets can be more challenging. Our beautiful Marlie, who has crossed the Rainbow Bridge, had no issues until one day.

The day that changed everything for Marlie and us was the day I came home and greeted my dogs at the door. I called and called her name, but she didn't run to me as Gracie had. I moved farther into the house and found Marlie barely breathing on her side in the kitchen.

I scooped up Marlie and drove her to Lafayette Veterinary Care Center, where they began working on her. Thankfully, we happened to have insurance on Marlie, so when all treatment failed, the doctors were able to give her a brand-new and extremely expensive medicine, which brought her back to consciousness.

Marlie was in the Lafayette Vet Care hospital for two weeks, but they saved our fur baby's life.

I'm sharing this to let you know that sometimes strange things can happen. Marlie was always a very high-strung dog, but that day it all became too much for her; thankfully, she was saved.

Our routine changed with our girl, and we didn't care that everything for her was extra, because our beautiful girl lived another six years.