Getting a pet is also a matter of budget, say Quebec veterinarians

“For just $4 to $6 a day, ensure my well-being and health… I deserve it! ” This is how the Quebec Association of Small Animal Veterinarians (AMVQ) addresses new animal owners of cats, dogs, or rabbits. Depending on the life expectancy of the chosen species, the new pet is expected to live with them until 2028 or 2031. Detailed fee schedules are provided to help them better budget their expenses over all those years together. For the association, better planning means fewer abandonments. To give their pets the best possible start, the AMVQ advises new pet owners: it takes a lot of love and patience, but also a substantial budget—estimated at between $4 and $7 per day (€2.50 to €4.50), depending on the pet’s age—for essential or supplemental care, preventive care, and even basic health insurance. It is also recommended to set aside between $3 and $10 per week for potential health emergencies, especially for senior pets. Regardless of the animal’s age, at least two visits to the veterinarian are recommended, including the administration of various vaccines for young animals or a complete blood workup for seniors, as well as one or more fecal exams to check for parasites, preventive flea treatment, animal identification, and sterilization, if applicable. When it comes to food, it’s worth noting that this is the main annual expense for caring for a pet. While the cost can vary by as much as 100 percent depending on the quality of the food chosen, it is emphasized that a high-quality diet helps prevent or manage many diseases and may even reduce the frequency of certain procedures, such as dental cleanings. Finally, an additional budget of $200 to $250 (€130 to €165) is recommended for one-time or recurring purchases of various accessories (litter box, litter, collar, carrier, cage, toys, shampoo, brushes, etc.). Given the number of abandoned cats and dogs in Quebec shelters, the AMVQ recommends adoption instead. When acquiring a purebred animal, the AMVQ suggests contacting a breeder registered with a recognized feline or canine association or recommended by a trusted professional. Again, whether adopting or buying, the price varies widely—from $75 to over $1,000 (approximately €50 to €700) for a cat, and from $150 to over $2,000 for a dog (€100 to €1,300), and from $25 to over $100 (€16 to €65) for a rabbit. The estimated veterinary costs listed in the species-specific fact sheets (“Minimum Needs for a Kitten, an Adult Cat, and a Senior Cat,” “Minimum Needs for a Puppy, an Adult Dog, and a Senior Dog,” “Minimum Needs for a Baby Rabbit and an Adult Rabbit”) are based on the AMVQ’s 2016 Fee Guide. It is then up to the veterinarian to determine what is best for the specific animal, taking into account the owners’ budget. All-inclusive and depending on the age group, the annual cost to meet a pet’s essential needs is as follows: > kitten: for an indoor female, $1,500 (€1,000); for an indoor male, $1,435 (€950); for a female with outdoor access: $1,974 (€1,300); for a male with outdoor access: $1,900 (€1,255); > Adult cat: for an indoor cat, $1,538 (€1,000); for an outdoor cat, $1,930 (€1,265). If applicable, add approximately $230 (€150) for castration of a male and $290 (€190) for a spay (ovariohysterectomy) on a female; > senior cat: $1,617 (€00) for an indoor cat, $1,860 for an outdoor cat; > kitten: for a female or male expected to weigh approximately 7 kg as an adult, $2,250 (€1,500); > adult dog: for a female or male expected to weigh approximately 7 kg, $2,200 (€1,500). If applicable, add approximately $338 (€220) for castration of a male and $371 (€240) for an ovariohysterectomy on a female (depending on weight); > Senior dog: for a female or male, $2,600 (€1,700); > baby rabbits and adult rabbits: for a female baby rabbit, $1,180 (€775); for a male baby rabbit, $1,370 (€900); for an adult rabbit, approximately $820 (€540).   All that remains is to adapt this initiative for France. Indeed, veterinary costs, for example, cannot be directly applied. Veterinary acts across the Atlantic are not exactly undervalued...   To view the fact sheets: go to the “Public” section at http://www.amvq.quebec