I don’t need to be the one to tell you times are tough all over these days what with the continuing issue of rising costs of food and fuel. However I didn’t realize just how bad things were getting until I picked up a copy of my local paper and saw some startling statistics. According to today’s Times Daily and referencing a recent study by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association the average yearly costs of owning a pet my just be more than you think.

Estimated average yearly cost for a dog/cat:

Surgical visits $574/$337

Food: $241/$185

Boarding:$202/$119

Routine vet care: $211/$179

Grooming: $107/$24

Vitamins: $123/$3

Treats: $68/$43

Toys: $45/$29

Average yearly cost: $1,571/$919

If the statistics above are accurate (and I don’t see why they wouldn’t be) two things really stand out; #1 If this is the average cost of owning one pet than image what those of us who have 2-3 must pay per year #2 We really love to pamper our pups don’t we? I mean that’s 58% more we are spending on our dogs and the majority looks to be spent on grooming and health issues. The report also went on to quote one town’s Supervisor of Animal Control as saying that he typically sees as many as 40 or more kittens alone being dropped off everyday. This doesn’t account for the dogs that are also being sent to the shelter. To make matters worse the coordinator the area’s Pets Are Worth Saving foster program told reporters “We’ve seen a huge slowdown in adoptions this year. Adoption days aren’t successful anymore. We do good to adopt one or two per adoption day”

With hopes increasing that the economic situation will turn around, many like those mentioned in this small U.S. town of Florence, Al. are looking around for a return to the days when people could afford to keep their pets and not have to worry over how to feed them.