Pros And Cons Of Low Cost Veterinary Care

Having an animal can bring great joy to an individual or a family, however financial difficulties can force many families to give up their animals. Shelters in America are making great strides in adopting out animals, however, according to the ASPCA, there are still 7.6 million companion animals entering shelter each year (“Shelter Intake and Surrender”), and millions of strays living in the streets (“Pet Statistics”). Financial difficulties are one of the most cited reasons why dog is surrendered to a shelter or seized for neglect. The American Kennel Club projects the average cost of owning a dog at $3085 for the first year, with the most expensive part of raising a dog was $650 going towards veterinary care (“How Much Does It Cost to Raise

The first idea is that the rise of low cost and subsisted veterinary care is causing a decline in visits and profits to veterinary clinics. A low cost spay and neuter clinic, established by Veterinarian Will Mangham in 2008, faced apprehension by local veterinarians, due to a believed loss of profits, however in long run the veterinarians did not see loss of revenue. In fact it increase both clinic’s patient list, because they were able to work together and refer patients to each other (“Caught in the Middle”). As for the decline in visits that is mainly due to the rise of veterinary cost, if a client cannot afford a treatment for their animal, they will not pay for the treatment instead they will not get treatment at

Many children talk to and rely on the comfort of their pets when stressed. The RSPCA says that, “Teenagers who own pets have a more positive outlook on life and report less loneliness, restlessness, despair and boredom” (What are the Health Benefits of Owning a Pet?”). Children with autism often times have an easy time interacting with animals than humans. Interacting with pets is a small step that can improve a child’s social skills (“Can Pets Improve our Health?”). Homeless children also find the same benefits and more from having pets. The Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph found that “homeless youth with pets were three times less likely to be depressed, less likely to engage in potentially harmful behaviors like hard drug use and more likely to open up to veterinarians about their personal challenges” (“Homeless Youth with Pets Less Likely to Use Hard Drugs, Suffer Depression: Study”). Having a pet provides homeless youth, who are usually pushed out of their homes, with responsibility and unconditional love. One youth said that his dog had prevented him from being arrested for two years after being repeatedly being arrested in the past. Homeless youth with pets need their relationship with their animals, and shelters can help them keep them by provide help with veterinary