
When ‘Free’ Isn’t Really Free
There’s no such thing as a “free lunch” … or a “free pet.”
If you’re anything like me, walking past a kid with a box marked “free puppies” nearly rips my heart out. After all, is there anything cuter than a puppy (or kitten)? Knowing they need a home makes it even more gut-wrenching.
Nine years ago, my daughter and I fell under the spell of a tiny orange tabby, displayed in a wire cage at a festival. Actually, it was my then 10-year-old daughter who found him first, and showed it to me, cuddling him in her arms. I did my best to be strong, but all that hot August afternoon, all I heard was the litany most parents hear at least once in their life: “I’ll take care of him, I promise! I’ll feed him and brush him and clean the litter box….”
Knowing full well I’d face opposition at home from my husband (as well as three other animals who I knew would be disgusted I brought something NEW home), the “free” kitten rode home on my daughter’s lap. Today, that 21-pound “butterball” is firmly ensconced as a member of the family, although he still earns my husband’s wrath for tearing around the house at 2 a.m.
Let’s get back to that word, “free.” Before you ever decide to bring a pet home, don’t be fooled that they are free, much less cheap. Our companion animals need a host of care and products to make sure that they stay healthy, happy and contented during the tenure of their lives with us.
First, the basics: litter box, kitten food, brushes etc. But the most important expenses come from visiting your local veterinarian. “Bad Kitty,” (“BK”) got a thorough examination from our vet, who promptly diagnosed him with worms, necessitating medication. BK also required vaccinations, including rabies and feline leukemia. That “free” kitten was quickly costing a lot of money.
When he got old enough, neutering was next, coupled with regular vaccinations. Some communities require licensing, so count that into the cost of your “free” cat or dog. An acquaintance who acquired a free puppy for his son noted he also had to count in the cost of obedience lessons.
Don’t get me wrong. Even if you purchase your pet from a reputable breeder or adopt a rescue pet, these costs may apply. (However, when I adopted one of my dogs from a rescue facility, the “fee” to adopt covered the cost of the vet care my dog had received, meaning that when I took her home, she had all her vaccinations, had had a full vet check, was spayed, and micro-chipped.)
“BK” is among the lucky kittens who found a forever home. But when people do not spay and neuter their pets, they run the risk of becoming the family who is forever trying to give away puppies or kittens. They may be among the scores of neglectful owners who simply abandon their unwanted puppies or kittens at a shelter or, as I encountered, stuffed nine puppies in a box and left it along a highway in July.
Spaying and neutering your pet is a one-time cost that can help keep your dog or cat healthier; aid in behavior issues; and prevent unwanted litters.
Some kittens and puppies get lucky, and a softhearted soul falls victim. All too many do not. Thousands are euthanized; even more live short, squalid lives, scrounging for food, struggling to find shelter in a harsh environment. Those left to fend for themselves as a feral dog or cat find little comfort and die agonizing deaths due to disease, injury, starvation, exposure to the elements, traps, and even getting shot.
Responsible pet ownership involves a number of factors: accepting that your new companion will cost money – perhaps a substantial amount – in order to keep it happy and healthy. They require a commitment of time and attention.
Before you fall prey to an adorable free puppy or cute kitten, be prepared to commit yourself to their care. Those of us who have pets know the rewards can be endless, in terms of companionship, entertainment, and affection.
It’s hard to put a price on that.
Photo Credits: Feature image from flickr by abcrumley. Inset photo “BK the butterball” by the author, Melissa Rice.
Melissa, I think this is a super important message. I remember seeing these “FREE PUPPIES” boxes all over the place when I was a kid. So sad (like this picture that makes me want to cry!) I””m glad that BK found a good home with you and your family though. I thoroughly enjoyed your first “official” post. Please keep them coming. Looking forward to your next blog post …
How about the people that park in mall parking lots w a sign saying FREE pup or kitten, they are holding them & playing. We slow up everytime. We take our 2 dogs everywhere we go.
I””ve never seen a box with puppies or kittens! If I did, I would take them all 😀
I am a sucker for a puppy and I have to remind myself all the time that, no matter how cute, that puppy isn”t free!
Enjoyed learning about BK and agree wholeheartedly with your comments. Our family has loved a ””free kitty”” for 10 years now.
Oh, Melissa, you””re a woman after my own heart. My daughter””s math tutor is a cat lover, like we all are at my house. She had the most wonderful male cat show up, of course “intact,” and tried to keep him – but he was attacked by something so she called us to come get him. Our “free” cat cost a few hundred dollars between having his leg fixed and his boy parts fixed and his shots and… and… and… You know. I didn””t expect “free” and since he””s #6 I””ve been pleasantly surprised at how well he””s integrated into our family.
Our neighbors have intact female dogs. One of them is and “outside” dog, and she will not stay on her tie-out or inside the electric fence, and she just recently told me that they””ve decided to “let her go” because they can””t do anything with her. This breaks my heart. She will have puppies or be hit by a car and there is nothing I can do. Thank you for posting such an important message. It seems obvious to me, but I am sure it is not to first-time pet owners.
Love the article, Melissa! Keep ”em coming!
I guess we just need to remember that free just stands for “free place in your heart … but not in your wallet”. Great post!
Definitely not free. Pets are a life time commitment and an expensive commitment, but so worthwhile. Even a routine teeth cleaning can run into some bucks, And if they have to be taken to the Emergency Hospital, you are talking major bucks. In the late 1980s our 2 year old dalmatian had a rare cancer and was not doing good at all over a weekend. We spent over two grand at the Emergency Animal Hosp. I would shudder to see how much that would be in 2012. Two years ago this month we took our dog to the Emergency Hosp on a Saturday for severe gastreic distress. For a 24 hour stay and care, about $617. Nothing free about pet owneship, they are family members just like us. Anything worthwhile is expensive.
i to had a dalmation and loved every min i had him , so much fun and when he had cancer , spent everything trying to save him, and then spent $$ on cremation, but he was my only son
I loved your first post! I am one that loves freebies, however, I do know that pets are never free. Thanks for sharing about pets needing shots, neutering and vet care. I will always have pets as long as I can afford to take care of them.
It makes me furious that people seem to think these animals are throw aways. My friend has a neighbor who refuses to spay her queen, and the poor thing is constantly pregnant. What”s worse is that when the kittens get to be a nuisance they hand them out to the neighborhood kids like Halloween candy. I even told them that I would pay for the poor thing to be spayed. The father couldn”t speak English and we were told by the son to “mind our own business”
“Free Puppy” is an oxymoron. On May 15th, I rescued two adorable chihuahua mix pups from a “human” who swore he was going to shoot them. I made an appointment to take them to the vet the following Monday, but alas, the male (Odie) became ill Friday evening (after the Vet closed, naturally). His copious and non relenting vomiting as well as an internet search caused me to realize it was probably Parvo. I stayed up all night Friday, Saturday and Sunday hydrating him with a medicine dropper and letting him lick Karo syrup off my finger in order to get a few calories. He tested positive for Parvo on Monday and I was given treatment “options”… a)
hospitalization $2,400 to $2,600, b) home care about $800 to $1000 or c) euthanasia (NOT an option in my book!). I picked plan B. Home IV””s, antibiotics, antiemetics, pepcid. Homemade puppy food… $90.00 for a Bissell Green Machine to clean the rugs and furniture ( no big surprise they were not yet housebroken)… Return visit to the vet on Thursday $, more blood work $ and they found a flea. A singular flea… $ for flea treatment for Odie and his sister Lucy (who tested negative $ for Parvo) AND for my 14 year old rescue dog, Oliver who also tested $ negative for Parvo but required a booster $. Initial vaccination $ for Lucy was required as well. Odie rallied and is now well and healthy. Lucy got sick the Friday after Odie… same thing, vomiting. I still had the IV equipment and medication (as Odie hadn””t finished his course of therapy), so now I””m treating these two “FREE” puppies. Back to the vet $ the following Monday to find out Lucy “probably” had the canine flu, and vaccinations $ for all three dogs were recommended. HOLD THE FORT!! Just because I have checks in my checkbook does NOT mean there are funds in the bank!! Bottom line (another oxymoron, as there is NEVER a bottom to this line), I still need to have the puppies vaccinated $ against all the other puppy diseases, be checked and treated $ for worms (you KNOW they are gonna have them), get their rabies vaccinations $ and dog licenses $, and don””t forget the spay and neuter $$! But that””s not all.. it””s time for my Oliver to get his yearly stuff done too… $$$ (Did I mention Odie has an undescended testicle, which means abdominal surgery $$?). I””ve been advised to take the puppies to the SPCA, but I””m in too deep… emotionally. They are awesome companions and I””m told they will keep me young (we””ll see..they darned well better!!) When you decide to take an animal into your home, you””d better think long and hard. If you do, be prepared for the good, the bad, and the ugly (hoping we are passed the ugly!). If you adopt them, they are yours and you are responsible hook, line and sinker!! You assume financial responsibility and it””s okay to grumble a little, in fact, it””s quite healthy which is why I””m posting this. Made me feel better. “Tapped Out” is NOT an oxymoron because that””s exactly where I am right now. I have a network of friends who are looking for ways to help me financially give all three of these dogs what they need. They do not have opposible thumbs and cannot fend for themselves. I am their “Mother”, and I will find a way to make this all happen. I expect I””ve digressed a bit, I always do… Just know that these two “FREE” puppies came to a home where they are loved unconditionally and will have a loving forever family. The term “FREE” means you just haven””t paid the bill yet!! LOLL
you are one awesome person. My 16 1/2 yr old female dog is in her last stages of her beautiful life with me. I have been her mom since I got her at a shelter at 5 weeks old. I have learned that money is not that important any more. What is important is my Lucy who has always been happy to see me.I’m 61 yrs old and have had at least one dog in my life at all times.Which, to me, means I have been blessed many times over. Those animals in your life are blessed by your love for them
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