Any person adopting a pet takes on special responsibility of caring for that pet for the length of its natural life. In addition to initial vaccinations, licensing fees, and spaying/neutering costs, you should plan for a budget of $200 to $600 annually to meet minimum food and health-care costs plus the following basic needs:

• Secure and out-of-the-weather shelter.
• Fresh water daily.
• Adequate and wholesome food to maintain a healthy body weight.
• Clean bedding and litter box area.
• Daily inspection for signs of injury, wounds, parasites, or ill health, with
  prompt follow-up for medical attention as needed.
• Periodic grooming to maintain a lush coat and healthy skin.
• Annual checkup by your veterinarian, or a timely visit if your pet shows a sickly condition or unusual behavior. If your pet shows any indication of side effects or unusual behavior, check immediately with your veterinarian.
  

  – Other Items of Consideration –

• Oregon Law requires clean and proper shelter from the cold and heat, regular watering, and nourishing food. Abandonment of a domestic animal is punishable by $500 fine and/or up to 30 days in jail. Animal abuse cases are subject $1000-2500 fine and/or 6 months to 1 year in jail.
• On warm days, the temperature in a vehicle can reach a lethal 160 degrees. Even with the windows partly open, your dog or cat can die of heat prostration within a short period of time, so don't take a chance -- leave your pet at home.
• Keep your pet secure while traveling to prevent injury.
• Spay or neuter your cats and dogs to prevent overpopulation and unwanted animals.
• Maintain a picture and description in case your pet gets lost (consider implanting a microchip which can be scanned at your local shelter).
• Maintain a pet first aid kit to promptly treat minor injuries..
• Don’t allow your pet to be a nuisance or threat to humans or other animals.
• Before adopting a pet, be sure you do enough research and check on breed behavior to be sure that you and your prospective pet will be a good match for your lifestyle now and in the years to come.
  
  
  -- Cold Weather Considerations --
  
• Bring your aging outdoor pet along with shorthair animals in for the cold months.
• Prevent injury to cats which may be sleeping on a warm engine by thumping on the vehicle hood before cranking the motor.
• Prevent poisoning of animals by cleaning up all spills of antifreeze which is extremely lethal.
• Never leave your animals in a cold car where they could freeze and die from the frigid exposure.
• For outdoor dogs, provide a well-insulated and dry doghouse out of the wind. For a source of clean and warm bedding, use dry woodchips, shredded paper, or straw.
• For feral cats in the neighborhood, provide warm water along with good-quality cat food until the spring thaw.
  
  For more information on caring for felines and canines,
  click on the following page links:
  feline care - feline grooming - canine care - canine grooming