4 | NEWS | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2013
THE CLARION
Puppy love comes with a fair price tag OLIVIA EVANS Staff Writer Dogs offer students many benefits, from companionship to an exercise buddy. But that support comes at a cost and often students don’t realize how high that cost can be until they’ve already adopted a canine companion. First, there is the cost to adopt the pet then comes the real investment. The cost of raising a dog, for an average of 14 years, can be as high as $40,000. Some of the costs may come from dog lovers who shower their pets with luxuries. But other costs are simply to support a safe, healthy and happy lifestyle. A dog has many needs. They require love and attention, but also need some everyday supplies including a collar, leash, dog bowls, food, treats, bed, toys, grooming, fencing and a license. According to “Cost of Owning a Dog” website by Dr. Foster and Dr. Smith on peteducation.com, this can cost anywhere from $220 to $3,100 for the first year alone. Besides supplies, dogs need medical attention annually. Owners need to pay for shots, spaying or neutering, vaccines, flea control, heartworm prevention, dental care, deworming and any emergencies. Dr. Julie James, from Pineview Veterinary Hospital and Pet Resort, says that she has seen people spend no money
to thousands of dollars on their dogs who require special medical attention. James even took care of a dog that needed to have a knee replacement surgery a couple of weeks ago. George Austin, who has had dogs most of his life has even paid for his beagle’s emergency visit that cost $2,500. Austin explains his reason for paying so much, “Our dog is part of the family, and we want him with us healthy for as long as he can be.” Dog insurance is growing in popularity due to the fact that dogs may need frequent medical attention and at such high costs. According to VPI Pet Insurance, the average monthly payment could be from $20 to $40 depending on the breed. Depending on where an owner lives there may be opportunities to pamper a pet outside the home. Some dog owners treat their buddies to doggie spa days and birthday parties, which can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Some pet owners also turn to professionals for grooming their dogs. Others outfit their dogs in the latest and greatest fashion including sports team shout-outs and Halloween costumes. James says she has seen people come to Pineview with their dogs in expensive outfits. “I love spoiling my dog because she is like my baby when my daughter is off at college. Although, I’m not able to walk my dog as far as she needs, I’ve hired a
local dog walker to give my dog her daily exercise,” said Sandy Klapman, an owner of a 7-year old labrador. It’s not uncommon for people to treat dogs like family as Austin and Klapman have. Pets can bring a lot to the table and many pet owners are willing to open their wallets to make sure their dog is healthy, happy and has a long life. James agrees and explains that how much a pet owner spends on owning their dog often depends on the kind of relationship they have with their pet. Some costs of raising a dog are not monetary. A major investment in having a pet is time. Dogs need attention and love. Playing with and exercising a dog is not only important for the dog’s health but benefits the owner’s health as well. The website called “Raising Healthy Dogs,” explains the importance of play not as leisure time for a dog but as a necessity for the animal’s well-being. Dogs need exercise and a good diet, just like humans to stay healthy and happy. Dog food is another expense and the variety varies with the dog breed, age and dietary needs. “The most important thing we should spend on a dog is their food,” James said. Dog food comes in all shape, sizes, colors and textures, but it’s the owners’ responsibility to get the best food for their dog. Some complications may arise if the wrong food is chosen, such as an allergic reaction, wrong nutrients
for the size of the dog or overeating. Vitamins are being incorporated into diets more frequently for dogs, according to James. Dogs with arthritis require some anti-inflammatory medications, steroids or vitamins like Glucosamine to lower their inflammation. Any vitamins that a dog misses in its normal diet needs to be replenished by vitamins recommended by veterinarians, which can cost anywhere from $15 to $75 per bottle based on data from Foster and Smith. As much love as we give to our pets, it will come to a sad end. Pineview Veterinary Hospital and Pet Resort provides a brochure for Memorial Pet Services located in Middleton that offers several memorial services for dogs. Owners also have several options for remembering their dog further, like claw paw print, lock of fur, burial markers, personalized artist drawings and paw print jewelry. Cremation is the most popular, which costs several hundred dollars. Dogs are a part of families of one to many. But for students faced with limited finances it is important to plan out a pet budget before buying one. Owning a pet of any kind is a commitment in terms of time, money and emotion. James and others recommend that you do the math before making the leap to pet ownership. And although some costs may be expensive, pet ownership can be quite rewarding.
CLUB SPOTLIGHT
Veterinary technician club runs pet adoption KAREN CASS Copy Editor Just as a photographer waves a stuffed animal to distract a toddler, Madison College Veterinary Technician students dangle fuzzy toys in front of a petite, black feline. The students are trying to capture photos for the Pet Adoption program’s website, and the frisky kitty who won’t sit still is Pablo, one of many animals now available for adoption through the Madison College Pet Adoption program. The Pet Adoption program opened its doors on Monday, Oct. 7, and will remain open for the rest of the semester. The Pet Adoption program exists via the Wisconsin Student Association of Veterinary Technicians, which is the Madison College Veterinary Technician program’s student club.
A home for every pet
Pet Adoption Committee co-chairs Natalie Brown and Jennifer Lillie hope to find forever homes for all of the available animals this semester. This is no small feat, considering Veterinary Technician students are currently caring for 20 dogs, 24 cats and numerous “Pocket Pets,” which are small mammals, including gerbils, hamsters, rats, mice and rabbits. Adoption fees are $60 for dogs, $50 for cats and a donation for pocket pets. Available cats and most of the dogs came from one of three humane societies; Southwood County Humane Society, Green County Humane Society and Watertown Humane Society. Fees collected from adoptions of those animals directly fund the corresponding humane societies. Adoption fees for the remaining dogs, received from an undisclosed research facility, and pocket pets benefit the Wisconsin Student Association of Veterinary Technicians club.
Hands-on learning
Lillie feels the veterinary technician program at Madison College is one of the best in the Midwest. She attributes the program’s success to the fact that they “Get so much hands-on experience.” Lillie said. “All these animals are used in our program to teach us how to be good nurses and how to properly restrain animals.” “The animals are here to provide the students with the opportunity for ‘hands-on training’ in the areas of handling and restraint, basic nursing care, radiology, surgical nursing procedures and clinical pathology,” said Laurie Angell, senior laboratory coordinator and animal care supervisor.
The adoption process
Students and residents interested in meeting adoptable animals may come to the Veterinary Technician area at Truax during visiting hours. Weekly visitor hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:30-11:20 a.m. and 12:30-3:30 p.m., and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. Potential adopters can find appropriate paperwork outside of the Veterinary Technician program entrance, including a release form that must be signed prior to meeting available animals. Applicants should also complete a personality assessment based on which species they are interested in meeting. Lillie and Brown said in addition to health examinations, all of the cats and dogs underwent personality assessments. Some of the resulting categories include Couch Potato, Constant Companion and Goofball. “Is designed to match the animals’ personalities with the expectations of the potential adopters to ensure successful placement in forever homes,” Brown said. After completing the appropriate paperwork, a visitor guide will escort applicants to the adoptable animals and
KAREN CASS / CLARION
Second year veterinary technician student Jerusha Chucka poses with Pablo, one of the cats available for adoption. assist in meeting them. Those interested in adopting a specific animal should then complete the application. Once applications are processed, a Veterinary Technician student will then contact applicants with further instructions. Brown urges potential adopters to do their homework regarding their living situations. The adoption approval process includes contacting an applicant’s landlord and fellow residents. “You can’t really want a cat, and you live with your mom, and she doesn’t want one,” Brown said. “That wouldn’t work.” Potential adopters may be asked to provide veterinary records for other animals in the household, such as proof
of vaccinations. Applications may also need to be approved by a humane society, so this process could take some time. “We spend so much time with the animals,” Brown said. “We love them, so we’re pretty strict about whom we let take them home.” Students interested in viewing adoptable animals online can search the Madison College directory under P for Pet Adoption. The direct link is http://madisoncollege.edu/pet-adoption. Photos of the adoptable animals are also posted on a bulletin board at the entrance to the Veterinary Technician program’s hallway at Truax, and cats and dogs are categorized based on their personalities.