How Much is That Doggie in the Window?

So you’ve asked your parents for a new pet. Where will it come from? There are many places where you can buy a new pet. Some people breed cats or dogs and sell them. To breed means to bring up, or to raise. You can also buy a pet at a pet store. One of the best places to get a new family friend is from an animal shelter. There are thousands of animal shelters across the United States. Shelters care for dogs, cats, rabbits, and other animals until they can find a home for the animals.

Over the past few years, many shelters have reached capacity. This means that they have run out of space to care for any more animals. Caring for the animals is not cheap! Shelters rely on volunteers to help care for the animals while they are in their care. The volunteers feed the animals, clean the animal beds, take them for walks, and play with them. Some people and companies also help out by donating money and goods to the shelters. Most shelters charge an adoption fee. This fee, which can be anywhere from $50 to $150, is used to pay for some of the medical care for your pet.

The cost of owning a pet doesn’t stop with the adoption fee! Once you get your pet home, you will have to buy some things to meet its needs. Cats need a litter pan, scratching posts, toys, and food. Dogs need a collar, a leash, toys, and food. Some of these items only need to be purchased once, but others will need to be bought more than once. Plus, your new animal will have to go to the veterinarian, or animal doctor, for medical care. And don’t forget one of the biggest costs—time! You will want to make sure that you have enough time to spend with your new pet. Dogs love to run and wrestle. Cats like to curl up on your lap while they sleep.

I made some graphs to show you how much it costs each year to own a cat or a dog.

Approximately how much money does dog food cost each year?

Owning a pet can be expensive. Before you ask your parents for a new pet, make sure it is something you can afford!

TLX News Journal: Economics Activity

How much would it cost to own a new cat or dog? Use the information from the pie chart to create a budget showing how much the animal would cost each month for food, toys, vet care, and miscellaneous items.