Pet Adoption Articles

Costs to Consider as You Budget for a New Dog

Pet Adoption Articles

Bringing a new dog into your home is an exciting milestone, but it’s important to plan for the responsibilities that come with pet ownership. Beyond the joy and companionship, owning a pet comes with ongoing costs. From daily care to planning for times you’ll be away, budgeting ahead helps ensure your furry friend has a happy, healthy life without unexpected financial stress.

Alongside essentials like food, veterinary care, and training, many new pet parents overlook pet sitting. Whether you’re traveling, working late, or heading out for an evening event, in-home pet sitting keeps your dog safe, comfortable, and happy. With Pet Butler’s reliable pet sitting services, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your companion is in trusted hands.

The Cost of Pet Ownership

Owning a dog is a rewarding experience, but it comes with financial responsibility. According to the ASPCA, the first year of owning a dog can cost over $1,000, with annual expenses continuing as your pet grows.

Routine expenses can include:

Food and treats: Providing a healthy diet is crucial for your pet’s well-being.

Veterinary care and vaccinations: Preventive visits help avoid serious health issues.

Grooming and hygiene supplies: Regular grooming is especially important for breeds with long or high-maintenance coats.

Training and enrichment: Classes, toys, and activities help your pet stay happy and well-behaved.

Toys and accessories: Items like beds, collars, leashes, and chew toys enhance comfort and stimulation.

Don’t forget to factor in pet sitting services, especially for times when your schedule keeps you away from home. Pet Butler provides dependable dog (and cat!) sitting to ensure your pets are well cared for, helping balance the commitments of pet ownership with other work, family or social activities which may require travel or longer days away.

Reasons You Might Need a Pet Sitter

Even the most attentive pet parent may need extra help occasionally. Professional pet sitting can support your pet’s routine and well-being in a variety of situations:

Travel or vacations: Business trips, family vacations, or weekend getaways.

Work obligations: Long workdays, conferences, business travel or all-company meetings that require onsite presence.

Evening events: Social outings, sporting events, dinners with friends, kids’ extra-curricular events

Life changes or emergencies: Medical emergencies, moving, birth of a child, home projects, taking care of loved ones, or unexpected obligations.

The frequency of these instances mentioned above will help you establish the budget you may need to set in preparation for pet sitting. Knowing a trusted professional like Pet Butler is caring for your pet helps underscore the value and necessity of professional dog sitting. Pet Butler’s in-home pet sitting services can easily complement your budget for a new dog and fit into your pet care routine (and social life!).

Dog Sitting

Many pet parents wonder about the costs associated with dog sitting services. While exact pricing varies, it’s helpful to understand what factors typically influence services:

Length of care: From short check-ins to full-day or overnight visits.

Number of pets: More pets require additional attention.

Special needs: Puppies, senior dogs, or pets requiring medications may need extra care.

Frequency of visits: Daily support during trips or occasional visits on busy days.

Every household is unique. At Pet Butler, we don’t charge additional fees for the services above. The best approach is to request a customized plan from Pet Butler, which tailors dog sitting services to your dog’s personality, routine, and needs. This ensures your pup receives the right level of care without unnecessary extras.

Pet Butler Pet Care Professional feeding a dog as part of in-home pet sitting service.

Things to Note as a Pet Owner

Being a pet parent comes with both joy and responsibility. While every pet is unique, here are some key considerations for all pet owners:

Time Commitment: Pets need daily attention, exercise, and social interaction. Even short periods at home add up, so plan your schedule accordingly.

Health Care: Regular vet visits, vaccinations, and preventive treatments are essential for a long, healthy life.

Training & Socialization: Consistent guidance and exposure to different environments or animals helps pets feel secure and well-behaved.

Supplies & Environment: Beds, leashes, litter boxes, toys, and grooming tools all contribute to comfort and safety.

Emergency Preparedness: Having a plan for illness, injury, or unexpected situations reduces stress.

Lifestyle Fit: Make sure your home, work schedule, and activity level align with your pet’s personality and needs.

Pet Butler learn more about our pet care services banner. We offer the following pet care services: dog walking, pet sitting, and pet shuttle. Image is of a Pet Butler employee smiling and laughing hugging a white Labrador retriever dog

FAQs About Pet Sitting

How often should a sitter visit my pet each day?

It depends on your pet’s needs. Dogs may need two or more visits per day, while cats may only require one. With Pet Butler, you can create a schedule that fits your pet’s routine.

Can sitters handle pets with medications or special needs?

Yes. Pet Butler sitters are trained to provide extra care, including administering medications and supporting senior pets.

Is it better to hire a sitter or board my pet?

For many pets, staying in their familiar environment reduces stress. According to the NAPPS, keeping a consistent routine can help pets adjust better while owners are away. Pet Butler sitters come to your home, allowing pets to maintain their daily habits.

What should I look for in a professional sitter?

Reliability, experience, and compassion. With Pet Butler’s dependable service, your pet is cared for as if they were part of our own family.

How do I prepare my home for a sitter?

Provide labeled food, medications, leashes, etc. Include emergency contacts and vet information so your sitter is prepared for any situation.

Final Thoughts on Budgeting for Pet Care

Owning a pet is one of life’s most rewarding experiences, but it comes with financial responsibility. From food and vet visits to pet sitting, planning ensures you can provide the best life for your furry friend.

When you’re away, Pet Butler makes it easy to schedule trusted dog sitting services. Our team tailors care plans for your pet’s needs and your schedule, giving you peace of mind and your pets the attention they deserve. Contact Pet Butler today to explore customized pet sitting solutions for your household.

The Lifesaving Mission of Animal Shelters and Dog Adoption

Pet Adoption Articles

The Role of Animal Shelters and Rescues

Animal shelters and rescues play a crucial role in our society, providing a safe haven for various animals, including dogs, cats, horses, pigs, chickens, and more. Funded by state or local tax dollars, shelters serve as the initial refuge for stray dogs and pets surrendered by their owners. Working closely with animal control, city, and county shelters also provide care for dogs rescued from abusive situations, unwanted litters, and other lost animals. Due to the diverse conditions and unknown medical histories of incoming animals, overcrowding and limited resources may sometimes lead to the difficult decision of euthanasia. However, the primary goal is to avoid this fate by facilitating animal transfers to rescue groups, promoting adoptions, and reuniting animals with their families whenever possible.

Challenges Facing Animal Shelters and Rescues

Rescues operate thanks to private donations, volunteers, and community support. Some have well-equipped facilities and ample staff to handle intake, evaluation, transport, veterinary care, and other animal needs. Meanwhile, smaller or breed-specific rescue groups rely on volunteer foster parents to provide temporary shelter and introduce pets to potential adoptive families. These rescue organizations often offer comprehensive medical care, which can be costly for each animal. To ensure the best care, reputable groups provide new intakes with health and behavioral assessments and vaccinations for rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and kennel cough. Additionally, animals undergo fecal and blood testing to detect internal parasites and receive treatment if necessary. The rescues prioritize spaying or neutering to help control future pet overpopulation issues and address any other medical and behavioral needs before facilitating adoption.

Pet Adoption Process

When considering pet adoption, research the rescue organization’s local reputation and rating on charitynavigator.org. This site assesses non-profit organizations based on accountability, finance, culture, leadership, and results. Reputable groups prioritize using most of their donations to impact pets in need directly. The adoption process may vary between rescue groups, often involving extensive interviews, “meet-and-greets” with existing family members and pets, reference checks, and a home visit to ensure a safe and suitable environment. Embrace the process! These thorough adoption procedures ensure the perfect match between owner and pet, leading to forever homes.

Shelter and Rescue Data

Obtaining accurate records on rescue populations can be challenging since not all entities track all information, and reporting requirements vary among organizations. Rural and underserved communities often underreport statistics on pet populations, and underfunded shelters and rescue groups may lack the necessary technology or means to report data. The Humane Society of the United States created the National Database Shelter Animals Count in 2011 in response to these discrepancies. Fortunately, data accuracy is improving with the support of surveys from the American Pet Products Association, reports from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), and collaboration with the ASPCA and Best Friends Animal Society.

Shifting Trends in Pet Ownership

Historically, shelters and rescues have seen a higher influx of animals than the number of adoptions yearly. Presently, there is a gap of about 4% between the intake and outflow of animals, resulting in 4.4 million animals entering shelters in 2022. The COVID-19 pandemic shifted this trend, with many homebound individuals seeking animal companionship to alleviate loneliness and feeling they had the time to care for a pet. The percentage of families owning pets rose from 59% in 2017-2018 to 70% in 2021-2022. However, inflation, the lack of affordable housing, and inadequate pet training have led some people to surrender the animals they acquired during the pandemic. Additionally, an increase in pet purchases from breeders has contributed to a significant rise in the number of animals languishing in shelters.

Pet Shelter and Rescue Advocacy

In better news, advocacy groups promoting pet adoption have significantly reduced the euthanization of healthy pets to historic lows. Over 4,400 brick-and-mortar shelters estimate that less than 750,000 adoptable pets are euthanized annually, a remarkable 63% decrease since 2016. It’s important to note that this figure doesn’t account for animals euthanized due to untreatable medical or behavioral conditions. Pet rescue supporters tirelessly fundraise, facilitate the transportation of adoptable animals from overcrowded shelters, and educate the public on responsible pet ownership. These advocates stress the significance of preventative care, spaying and neutering, and proper pet training. Additionally, they provide valuable guidance to pet owners regarding low or no-cost resources.

How You Can Help

Getting personally involved is the key to reducing animal shelter intakes and euthanasia. There are various ways to contribute, such as cleaning kennel cages, raising funds for constructing new facilities, fostering a pet, or screening adoptive families. With all the love animals give us unconditionally, it’s the least we can do.

View our Pet Wellness Videos for more expert pet advice.

At Pet Butler, we want you and your pet to live your best and healthiest lives, which is why we offer Pet Waste Removal and Pet Care services year-round. We offer weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, and one-time clean-up services to meet your schedule and needs.

How To Adjust Your Shelter Pet To Home Life

Pet Adoption Articles

Are you planning to adopt a furry friend in the near future? Perhaps you’ve recently adopted and welcomed your new companion into your family. Either way, bringing your best friend home can pose a few lifestyle changes for both you and your pet that you should be aware of. Help your shelter dog comfortably adjust to their new home with these tips.

What are tips to help my shelter pet adjust?

Something to be aware of is that adult shelter dogs, as opposed to puppies, can be much easier to train. Although puppies can come with less baggage, shelter dogs may have histories before they come to you, and some of their stories may not be positive. They may have been isolated, neglected or, in some cases, physically abused. Common obstacles dog owners experience are:

Lack of socialization with other animals and/or people
Health problems that may have developed from malnutrition or life as a stray
Behavioral issues like barking, growling, biting, potty training regression, separation anxiety and eating problems

What things should I do before I bring my shelter dog home?

What to buy for a new dog.

If you’re adopting a shelter dog, you, of course, already have a love for dogs and a big heart, but you’ll need some equipment if you want to help your pet successfully transition from shelter to home. Some dogs will have their own unique set of needs, but here’s a basic checklist of items to have on hand before welcoming your pet into their new home.

Collar
I.D. tags
Leash
Harness
Dog beds
Crate
Baby gate(s)
Blankets
Old towels
Food and water bowls
Toys
Treats
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Veterinarian-recommended food
A reliable veterinarian

Always be sure to check with the shelter you’re adopting from to find out if your dog will require additional equipment.

How should I introduce my shelter dog into my home?

Bringing your shelter dog home can be one of the happiest days of your life. You will likely be excited and want to kick off your lives together with full speed ahead. To avoid overwhelm, take the necessary steps to help your pet settle in comfortably.

Don’t bring your shelter dog around the other pets too soon. Your shelter dog is surely happy to be headed home with you, but your new best friend has a lot of changes to deal with. Introducing them to other pets too fast can be overwhelming. Take one step at a time, and let them get used to their surroundings first. If you have another pet at home already, most shelters will require a meet-and-greet with both pets to ensure they have positive chemistry before the adoption. If this is your case, introduce your new dog to your other pet slowly when you bring them home, and always watch them when they interact over the first few weeks to months.
Properly train your dog. Many shelter dogs have had little training or have forgotten what they used to know during their time in the shelter environment. Starting the training process right away will help them start off on a good paw, especially when it comes to obedience and potty training.
Respect your shelter dog’s limitations. As you learn to understand your shelter dog’s past and possible emotional baggage, it’s important to respect their boundaries and help others (both in your family and strangers) do the same. If your pet is not friendly with strangers, you may invest in a shirt that says, “Don’t pet me” to wear on walks or outings where you’ll come into contact with new people.
Don’t expect perfection from day one. Like most things in life, your shelter pet will take time to adjust to their new environment. They may have sleepless nights or potty training-related accidents. You may have to take extra time to socialize your pet or get them used to walking well on a leash. Knowing that these challenges will inevitably arise, you can learn to anticipate them and overcome common obstacles.

Whether your pet has been around a while or is a new addition to your household, we want to make sure that you and your pet are living your best lives. Since 1988, we have been the poop scooping professionals. We will do the dirty work for you, so you can focus on welcoming your shelter dog into their new home.

Senior Pet Adoption

Pet Adoption Articles

Are you considering pet adoption but unsure whether to choose a puppy or kitten? Think about the incredible advantages of adopting a senior pet! Senior pets—typically defined as animals over the age of seven—often have so much love to give. They not only enrich your life but also deserve a second chance at happiness. Let’s explore the numerous benefits of adopting a senior pet for both the pet and the owner.

Benefits for the Owner

Calm Companionship: One of the primary advantages of adopting a senior pet is their tranquil demeanor. Older animals are generally more relaxed than their younger counterparts, making them ideal companions for families or individuals seeking a peaceful home environment.
Known Temperament: Senior pets have well-established personalities. This allows potential adopters to match their lifestyle with a pet that has a temperament suited for their home. Whether you need a lap dog or a quiet cat, you can find a senior pet that fits perfectly.
Less Destructive Behavior: Senior pets have already gone through the teething and chewing phases, meaning they are less likely to engage in destructive behaviors. They are often already house-trained, which can save you time and effort in your pet parenting journey.
Deep Emotional Bonds: Many senior pets have experienced abandonment or loss, which can lead to an intense sense of gratitude toward their new owners. Adopting a senior pet allows you to form a profound emotional connection as they show appreciation for your love and care.
Easier to Train: Contrary to popular belief, older pets can learn new tricks and commands! Senior pets tend to be more focused and eager to please, making training sessions a rewarding experience. They adapt well to new routines, which can make life easier for their owners.
Shorter Commitment: If you’re not ready for the long-term commitment of raising a puppy or kitten, adopting a senior pet offers a shorter commitment while still providing a loving relationship. You can enjoy the companionship without the uncertainty of how long they will be with you.
Reduced Adoption Fees: Many shelters offer lower adoption fees for senior pets, making it a more affordable option for potential pet owners. Some rescue organizations even provide special programs for those who choose to adopt older animals, further incentivizing the decision.

Benefits for the Pet

A Second Chance at Life: Senior pets are often overlooked in shelters, facing the risk of euthanasia. By choosing to adopt a senior pet, you provide them with a new lease on life, filled with love, care, and comfort.
Comfort and Security: Many senior pets have had turbulent lives and yearn for a stable environment. By welcoming a senior pet into your home, you offer them the security they need to thrive and enjoy their golden years.
Improved Quality of Life: With proper medical care, a loving environment, and a balanced diet, senior pets can experience significant improvements in their health and happiness. Your home can become a haven for them, promoting longevity and well-being.
Less Stress: Older pets tend to prefer a quieter, more stable lifestyle. By adopting a senior pet, you create an atmosphere that reduces their stress levels, allowing them to enjoy a peaceful and fulfilling life.

A Win-Win Situation

Adopting a senior pet offers a multitude of benefits that positively impact both you and your new companion. You gain a loyal friend who appreciates your love and care, while the pet receives the stability and affection they need to thrive.

If you’re looking to bring joy into your life, consider opening your heart to a senior pet. Their gratitude and companionship will not only enrich your life but will also allow you to make a meaningful difference in their world.

View our Pet Wellness Videos for more expert pet advice.