For me there is no greater joy then finishing work and getting to see that cute little face, with a wet little nose and a tail that can’t stop wagging.

I just love my doggy; she is the cutest, funniest, and sometimes naughtiest little “woofer” around. I would not change her for the world, and my commitment to her on the day we adopted her was a lifelong commitment.

My vows to her are no different to my wedding vows: for better for worse, for richer for poor, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.

She can always rely on me: I will always protect her and will always keep her safe. Perhaps that’s the momma bear in me, and probably more pronounced as I don’t have children.

Before the doggy, we always had cats since we were married; two were adopted and one wandered into our yard as a stray and ended up living with us for ten years until he got sick and passed away. We were committed to our cats the same way we are committed to our doggy. It’s a commitment for life – period.

So why do people own animals? Ownership of an animal typically falls into several fields:

1, Working animal, such as a service dog

2, Pet, a family animal

3, Commercial venture, such as farming

4, Sports, such as horse racing

Now let’s break it down a little further and understand why people own pets.

A recent article from Business Insider titled “15 reasons why having a pet is good for you and your family”, suggests that overall pet ownership is good for your mental health, reduces stress, and can be the purest and most uncomplicated form of love.

Growing up in my family we always had pets – a dog, a cat, birds, and fish – we were always surrounded by animals, and we all loved them and took care of them.

Animals are not a fleeting moment but a commitment for life. Looking back at my parents, they managed to take care of all the animals, along with four children.

To be honest I can’t imagine it was financially easy, but they managed. They probably made a few sacrifices that none of us children were aware of, but they made sure our animals had the best life and were loved and well cared for during their lives.

This included making sure the animals ate well, had lots of exercise and regular vet visits, and, in the case of the dog, received proper training.

The cost and responsibility of owning a pet is something that must be considered prior to adopting or buying one. Animals rely on their owner for their wellbeing; therefore it rests on the owner’s shoulders to make sure they can afford to see it through the animal’s lifetime.

Remember – a pet is part of the family.

One thing I can speak to first-hand is that owning an animal is not cheap. My little doggy went for her annual vet visit yesterday and after the annual exam, vaccinations, and worm medications, the bill was not for the faint-hearted.

Yes, I would have loved to use the money for a romantic dinner for two, but her health is far more important and is an important aspect of pet ownership.

Here is an example of a budget for my dog on an annual basis:

• Dog registration

• Food

• Wellness exam – vet

• Medication – worming and flea

• Toys

• Collar, harness, lead, and winter coat

• Bedding

• Boarding

• Doggy daycare

Obviously, there are some items that are more luxury than others; however, as we are a childless couple who both work full-time, factoring doggy daycare into our annual budgeting was something important to us to ensure she is well socialised, both with dogs and people.

As I mentioned earlier, planning and budgeting is essential when owning a pet and if you can’t afford to provide for their basic needs, then it would strongly suggest that owning a pet might not be the best choice.

Moreover, like humans, when animals get older they are going to need extra vet care and possibly medication. Therefore you also need to factor that into your long-term budgeting.

Being responsible for owning a pet isn’t just about the costs associated, but the responsibility of life and ensuring they have the best life possible.

That means making sure your pet is fed a nourishing meal and that they are groomed properly, if that is a requirement for a specific breed of animal.

It also means making sure your animal is microchipped so if it gets lost you can hopefully find them again, as well as ensuring that your animal gets plenty of exercise and also has a safe space to call its own, with blankets and toys.

Being a responsible pet owner is ensuring your pet has basic training (especially dogs) and that they are able to be socialised with other pets occasionally. On the other hand, being a responsible owner it is also about knowing what makes your animal feel uncomfortable and removing them from those situations.

Additionally, being a pet owner is about spending time with the animal you made a commitment to – that means regular playing, lots of love, and reward training.

Owning a pet can be difficult at times and heartbreaking when you have to say goodbye, but I often say to people that we treat our pets better than humans as we can release our pet from pain as we say goodbye.

Having to put a pet to sleep is gut wrenching, and those moments will be imprinted on your memory for life, but as pet owners we have a responsibility to our pet. It is not about you, but about helping your pet “travel over the rainbow bridge”.

Pet ownership isn’t for everyone, but if it is for you, it is essential you consider all the expenses associated and the responsibilities it takes, because a commitment for life is a commitment.

Reference

Wilson, M (2020) 15 reasons why having a pet is good for you and your family. Available from: https://www.businessinsider.com/reasons-why-having-a-pet-is-good-for-you [Accessed 19 July 2024].

• Carla Seely has 24 years of experience in the financial services, wealth management and insurance industries. Over the course of her career, she has obtained several investment licenses through the Canadian Securities Institute. She holds ACSI certification through the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments, UK; QAFP through FP Canada; and AINS through The Institutes. She also has a master’s in business and management