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If you adopt, it’s much cheaper than buying. 😊
Rising Star
C3- my comment was erroneously directed at SAD1; I was referring to AC, and apologize for the confusion.
I have no guilt in re: dogs. I do regret my posting error on this thread.
More importantly, you need to have time to take care of an pet. Dogs needs walks and lots of attention. Cats are more independent, but if you’re out a lot or travel, it’s not fair to any animal.
Maybe you should foster to see if it’s the right choice for you.
If you think pets are expensive, wait until you have a child… 👶🏻
God no.
Chief
Did anyone shame you into adopting a rescue yet???? Please let me know!
I sure hope so!
I was broke as hell when I adopted my cats, I was a starving student. I think I was a barista at the time.
I got my cat when I was making about 70k and that’s what I would recommend having at least. I adopted her and yeah she is low maintenance for most of the year between her food (wet + dry mixed, as well as supplements) and litter (eco friendly litter that is dust free). But those vet bills can be a shocker and you should just make sure you have the ability to pay for like a $2000 procedure on a whim because that happened to me last summer and if I didn’t have the money my cat woulda RIPed. Not to mention if you live in a city those costs could be more.
Cats are def more low maintenance than dogs simply because they’re more independent but that doesn’t mean they have other traits that require time and money so just make sure you’re prepared for anything!
Chief
Adopt please. There are more than enough of them and you're doing more good for them and the world. Less than 1k in fees. We cook vegetables, ground turkey and fish; occasionally mix it up with bought wet food. It's not prohibitively expensive. Training is more about the time you put in outside of class than spending more money on class time.
I just recently got a dog and it was less about income and more about when I could live alone. I got a rescue dog and she is sooooo much more expensive than I anticipated! I love her to death, wouldn't change any of it, but still a word of warning. (Talking $700 dog training, vet bills in the hundreds even with pet insurance, getting all her stuff, etc).
Oh but to actually answer your question, about 95k in NYC
I was broke. Mega broke. My cats ate better than I did and there was always a 1000 in the bank for just in case vet visits. They added so much to my life - my little boy even helped with work life balance (pushing the laptop lid down when it became too late :) )
I am so surprised/confused at some of these rescue-associated costs people have posted! The adoption fee at the rescue I volunteer with/adopted from is $200 - entirely waived during special events. Adopted animals are neutered, microchipped, vaccinated and fully vetted/medically cleared before they can be adopted out. This can mean anything from surgeries to medications to dental work. In other words, potentially thousands of dollars -additional- to the thousand or so you would be paying yourself for the standard initial puppy care. $200 adoption fee doesn’t even compare.
@AS1 yes she is the happiest ten years later! (I made a post above this one on how much of a great decision it was)! I got her in the south as well in a smaller city with prob not a great budget.
I got three guinea pigs when I was living alone and on an entry level salary. They're much cheaper and lower maintenance than a cat or dog, but still a big responsibility. They have so much personality and keep me company (they squeak a lot).
I'd definitely recommend looking into different types of pets if money is a concern. Everyone who meets my guinea pigs is surprised at how much fun they are.
So nice that you got three. They are very social and always should have at least another pig companion. In some countries it is illegal to have only one guinea pig because it is so cruel to them to be solo.
Just pointing this out here so that anyone considering this option will understand.
80k in Boston. To echo everyone else above, pets are expensive! But it’s honestly all about good budgeting. One per = one less fun weekend out a month. And I can live with that because my little guy is the best thing ever!
Please consider adopting. The shelters are at capacity and they are genuinely the sweetest and loving. To anyone says pedigree dogs don’t come with issues. You are very wrong. Dogs whether rescued or bred need training, health care and LOVE!
Rising Star
130k and in hindsight, I’m glad I didn’t do it when I made less! They’re real expensive but real worth it! (Dogs at least! I had a cat when I was making 40k and it was fine!)
Its really great your thinking of adopting this way because adopting a pet is actually a huge financial investment if you want to give them the highest quality of life. I was making 100K in SF, I wanted to make sure I could afford vet care. Like 90% of surrenders to shelters are financially related to owners not being able to afford the vet care. Definitely invest in pet Insurence! It seems crazy expensive but if you adopt an older animal (like I did) it will pay for itself at some point. Also PSA for the day - adopt a rescue! Senior if you really want to make a difference! Senior pets are usually like super low adoption fees or free and are just as fulfilling to your life. We adopted a 10yr old cat with dental issues and she’s like our favorite creature on the planet and we would do anything for her.
Adopt if you can, but go in willing to make a forever commitment. The shelter is full of pets who had owners unable to do that. I’m glad your trying to be responsible by looking at your finances. That pet doesn’t care what you earn, it just wants to be with you. You can’t predict your future. Even when I got laid off, it never crossed my mind to give them up.
Got my dog from a shelter as a jobless post grad, vet bills that third month when i was an intern nearly financially broke me ($3k). Ten years later, here we are. She didn’t always get the most walks, there were late nights, there was cheap leftovers and back of the pantry food from time to time, but she is one of the happiest and sweetest dogs you’ll ever meet, and loyal as heck (she literally follows me from room to room, even with a SO and a baby in the picture now). We saved each other many times over again. Just dropped another few K on her recently for some health issues. She is worth it. I don’t regret it and I don’t believe she does either. Do it!
Art school living on student loans. Best thing I ever did.
My first job out of college the first thing I did was buy a dog. We started with the generic kibble and no yard and now she has a yard and I special order her wet food 😂 I never regret getting her when I did because we got to glow up together ha
I had gotten a raise at the time (6-7 years ago, I think it was $45K?) and decided to finally adopt a retired greyhound. She since has had every medical issue under the sun and has cost me a small fortune in vet bills and medication. Wouldn't trade her derp face for anything. But also can't afford to adopt any more pets., lol.
Also, I'm in Miami.
Entry level salary and I own a cat. As long as you have stable income you can definitely budget for a pet