Inherited a new dog: Wow boarding costs!

[heathpack]

We are still using a boarding kennel, but traveling less. No question that pet ownership is ever more expensive. Vet bills are up- I just paid $180 for pet vaccinations last week (our human vax's are free) and our 35lb Dood costs $35/day to board.
I find it amazing that the numbers of homeless people I see almost invariably have pets. How do they afford the pets when they can't afford a roof over their head?

Vaccines aren’t free for humans, they’re covered by insurance. The retail price of a shingles vaccine, for example, is $200 per dose x 2. Like most human health care, vaccines are expensive, frequently more expensive than the veterinary counterpart. But because you don’t see the cost, it feels free to you. As a veterinarian of 30 years, this is a gripe that I’ve heard endlessly.

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www.goodrx.com

 

[Passepartout]

Vaccines aren’t free for humans, they’re covered by insurance. The retail price of a shingles vaccine, for example, is $200 per dose x 2. Like most human health care, vaccines are expensive, frequently more expensive than the veterinary counterpart. But because you don’t see the cost, it feels free to you. As a veterinarian of 30 years, this is a gripe that I’ve heard endlessly.

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Yes, I know the actual underlying cost is masked by humans (mostly) being insured. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

 

[Panina]

I have tried taking my 11 year old Labradoodle to various sitters which is much less expensive than boarding. Unfortunately most of the sitter have multiple dogs of their own or take in multiple dogs at a time. Every single attempt has been a disaster. They let my dog eat food he shouldn't have, as he must eat a special diet, which makes him sick. I supply his food.

Now he is boarded with the vet where he is in senior dog care where the staff does vet services. Expensive yes, $85 a night plus have to pay for a bath before he comes home but ultimately I will have piece of mind.

 

[wackymother]

I have tried taking my 11 year old Labradoodle to various sitters which is much less expensive than boarding. Unfortunately most of the sitter have multiple dogs of their own or take in multiple dogs at a time. Every single attempt has been a disaster. They let my dog eat food he shouldn't have, as he must eat a special diet, which makes him sick. I supply his food.

Now he is boarded with the vet where he is in senior dog care where the staff does vet services. Expensive yes, $85 a night plus have to pay for a bath before he comes home but ultimately I will have piece of mind.

Rover has a filter for sitters who take only one dog at a time, sitters who don't have pets of their own, and sitters who are experienced with special needs. You're happy w the place you have now, but if you want to look at private sitters again, Rover does let you filter for just what you need. (We live in a place with dozens of pet sitters, though, so there might be less choice where you are.)

 

[Tia]

But how do they afford to feed them?

I heard someone say they carry dog food in their car and give some to those with a dog.

 

[Cornell]

We are still using a boarding kennel, but traveling less. No question that pet ownership is ever more expensive. Vet bills are up- I just paid $180 for pet vaccinations last week (our human vax's are free) and our 35lb Dood costs $35/day to board.
I find it amazing that the numbers of homeless people I see almost invariably have pets. How do they afford the pets when they can't afford a roof over their head?

Very simplistic comments about the homeless. It's a complex issue and for many it's not just as simple as "can't afford a roof over their heads". And with the money they do have, perhaps they choose to use it for the companionship and love for an animal.