Pets mc103112 by The Gazette

Adopting is all about a happy ending

BY JIM MAHAFFIE

ily hit the jackpot last year. Found by the Garrett County Humane Society chained to a post in an abandoned house, the little mixed-breed dog was less than a year old, trying to nurse a few puppies—alive and dead. Flea-bitten and starving, she had large patches of hair missing. Lily was sent to PetConnect Rescue in Potomac, and then to a foster family in Bethesda. The Crane family of Bethesda fell in love with and adopted the affectionate little dog. Today, Lily’s best friend is Chunk, the Crane’s miniature Australian shepherd, an American Kennel Club-certified dog they bought at Potomac Kennels in Gaithersburg. Lily’s hair is now long and shiny, her tail lush, and she spends her days loved and well-fed, roaming her big fenced yard and playing with other dogs in the neighborhood. There are many stories like this about dogs, cats and other animals at organizations like PetConnect Rescue. Volunteers rescue at-risk animals from shelters when they are subject to being put down and place them in foster homes where caring people in the metro area can adopt them. “If you’re looking for a new family member,” said Randi Martin, a PetConnect adoption coordinator, “go to our website at

petconnectrescue.org and you’ll find all breeds, shapes and sizes of dogs and cats.” Listings offer a biography and adoption coordinator contact information. “Come meet as many animals as you want. We love that.” According to Martin, there’s a seemingly endless stream of dogs every week. “We get emails from shelters all the time with stories and pictures that would just break your heart,” she said. “They come to us just a shell of themselves. They are so traumatized sometimes they don’t even bark or eat. But then they go into a foster home, realize no one’s going to hurt them, get food and water and love, and you start to see their personality.” Foster volunteers tell PetConnect all about the dog, and that’s what goes on the animal’s online bio. The PetConnect website’s “Home at Last” section offers many happy ending stories like Lily’s. PetConnect places 600 to 700 dogs and cats in homes each year, said Martin. “We’re very careful. We like to do home visits and look around the neighborhood. When we go to sleep at night, we want to make sure that we’ve done the best for that animal.” Montgomery County Humane Society’s b j Altschul, director of external relations, suggests checking the “Adopt a Pet” listings

COURTESY OF CINDY CRANE

Lily, right, a mixed-breed rescue that went from near death to living the good life, sits with her best friend Chunk, a miniature Australian shepherd.

for animals on the humane society’s website, www.mchumane.org. First-time adopters should think about what kind of animal they want. Adoption counselors will ask many questions, said Altschul, such as, “What are your family circumstances? Can your home and yard handle the pet? Can your lifestyle? What needs does the animal have and can you meet the needs of that animal?” Day-in, day-out care is an important consideration. “If you’re not home all day long, a puppy or high-energy dog is probably not a good match,” she said. “Someone who has a leisurely lifestyle might do well with an adult animal.” “Know what you’re getting,” said Altschul. “Our adoption counselors will go over all of this with you, and our adoption staff spends a lot of time helping families and individuals with the decision and process.” You need to be checked out as a pet owner, she said, both for your sake and the sake of the animal. “If you have previous experience with a pet, it may [only] be as much as a

phone interview. For those with less experience, it may require a home visit.” The Montgomery County Humane Society is a nonprofit animal welfare organization that has been sheltering animals since 1958 and never turns an animal away. It has handled more than 8,200 animals so far this year, according to its website. Programs include adoption, foster care, lost and found, rescue, education and volunteering. Sharon Hasenauer of Silver Spring runs the re-home program for the Potomac Valley Bernese Mountain Dog Club. Home visits and a questionnaire help her make good decisions about matching owners with dogs. “Each rescue group has its way of doing things,” she said. “Usually I, or a member of my club, visit the dog and the new home first.” She keeps a waiting list of people who want to adopt the popular Bernese breed. “By going through extra measures like home visits and detailed questions, we try to reduce the number of animals that are brought back,” said Altschul.

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What to consider before buying a pet BY JIM MAHAFFIE

PHOTO BY JIM MAHAFFIE

Bearded dragons, such as this one at Animal Exchange in Rockville, need special care and are fascinating to watch.

og? Cat? Fish? Hamster? Snake? Parakeet? Take time to decide, because the choice is not all that easy. “Some people know whether they’re dog or cat people, for instance,” said Josh Beitler, manager of PetSmart in Gaithersburg’s Kentlands. “But when choosing a pet, there’s a lot to take into consideration, down to certain breeds and types.” Beitler said his staff advises customers trying to make pet choice decisions every day, and that PetSmart stores are equipped with trained salespeople and lots of information to help. “First, you ask a lot of questions,” said Beitler. “What’s your lifestyle like? Because if you’re gone 16 hours a day, a dog is not right for you. You need enough time to devote to the animal, and a cat is more self-sufficient.” Other considerations include the ages of children in the home. Are you adding to your pet family or getting a pet for the first time? “There are big responsibilities with dogs, less with cats, and even less for hamsters, gerbils and guinea pigs,” he said. What’s the housing situation? Is the yard fenced? Does the apartment allow dogs, cats or small caged animals? Fish tank decisions

also get pretty creative, said Beitler. “There are so many [fish] you can and can’t have together in the same tank.”

Ruth Hanessian, owner of the 33-year-old Animal Exchange in Rockville, said she always asks prospective pet owners many

questions, including about who will really care for the pet and the reasons people want to own. “For instance, a very young child is not taking care of a cockatiel,” said Hanessian, who sells locally raised animals, “from hamsters to cockatiels and mice to macaws.” A buyer should have familiarity with large birds before getting a macaw. The same goes for snakes and reptiles. Buyers should also consider the cost of food, which varies greatly for different animals, she said. To aid prospective owners, Hanessian has created the “Animal Exchange channel” on YouTube, a series of videos about what’s involved with owning gerbils, parakeets, hamsters, bearded dragons and more. “They’ve been viewed over a million times, which is great,” said Hanessian. “They give you a solid comprehension of what’s involved in keeping a pet.” In its stores, PetSmart offers free Care Guides for more than a hundred pets, from dog and cat breeds to rabbits, hamsters, frogs, geckos, snakes and more. [continued on 11]

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all is a particular challenge for dog owners,” said Mary Jo “MJ” Seemann of Chevy Chase, an animal trainer for 30 years, the last seven of which have been with PetSmart in Bethesda. “You have the little bunnies, the mice, the squirrels and all the other little four-legged distractions that make your dog leave your side and lurch off into the bushes. People— especially the guys—say they can handle it, but you need training if you don’t want your dog to pull your arm out of its socket or pull you across the street.” Seemann, a former scientist, trains with positive reinforcement, using “clickers to alert the dog it has done something good and rewards [of] food or toys instead of yelling when the dog does the wrong thing.” She said that finding a trainer who is experienced and the best match for a dog is no easy task for what the American Veterinary Medical Association estimates are 147,000 dog-owning households and 250,000 dogs in Montgomery County.

It is tricky because, Seemann said, “In this field, there are no regulations, and anyone can put up a shingle and call himself a dog trainer. It is important that trainers keep up with the times and use scientific principles that teach the dog positively, rather than using punishments—like an electronic dog collar—which are harmful and ineffective.” The techniques that a trainer uses can strongly affect how you interact with your dog for years to come. Therefore, it is very important to choose your trainer wisely. How do you do that? The first step, said Janet Sidebottom, founder of Potomac Dog School in Rockville, is to get a list of potential trainers by contacting your vet or fellow pet owners, or through an Internet search. According to Debra Ekman, founder of Your Dog’s Friend in Rockville, some good sites include hers—yourdogsfriend.info/ Positive-Trainers—trulydogfriendly.com, karenpryoracademy.com and petprofessionalguild.com. Once they have collected names, owners “should interview several potential trainers to make sure they are comfortable with Special Supplement to The Gazette | October 2012

their approaches,” Sidebottom said. Seemann, who values scientific-based training, advised looking for a trainer with an undergraduate degree that is science-based, and who has taken continuing education courses to keep up modern techniques. In addition to an interview, ideally, an owner should observe a trainer before hiring him, Ekman said. If a trainer practices punishment, negativism or an approach based on dominating the dog, find another, she advised. “Dog training is both an art and a science,” Seemann said. “It comes from working with people and helping them understand what needs be done with their dogs and why. Trainers are not magic; we have to take tests and study.” Chevy Chase resident Carolyn Benson, who eventually trained at PetSmart with Seemann, was concerned about finding the perfect trainer for Una, her 1-year-old Australian cattle dog. Una had been found wandering, tickinfested, with a pack in the mountains of Georgia. “Una was a wonderful dog, but she needed discipline and gentle training,” Benson said. “When we walked, she tugged the leash and ran after squirrels and other animals, and I worried about being pulled. “To find our trainer and a productive training environment, we read widely. Then we visited several trainers to see how they interacted with the animals,” she said.

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Benson was happy to see that Seemann used a gentle teaching approach. “We walked around and around the aisles of dog toys and food at PetSmart for an hour and rewarded Una with food every time she did not pull. MJ gave us all confidence.” For information about training at PetSmart, call 800-738-1385, ext. 41348, or visit petsmart.com and click on services. Various levels of training are available.

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Ekman founded Your Dog’s Friend, a 5year-old nonprofit that offers workshops in Bethesda and training classes in Rockville, with the goal of “helping to keep dogs out of shelters by educating and supporting their humans.” “When people bring home their new dogs,” Ekman said, “they often have no idea what to do or where to turn. They cre-

ate problems that could have been prevented or remedied.” Your Dog’s Friend uses only positive training. “You don’t have to punish or dominate a dog to get that dog to behave. You can set your dog up for success, reward the behaviors you want and teach alternatives to the behaviors you don’t want,” Ekman said. This approach, she believes, is important for all dogs, but especially for adopted dogs. “We use positive methods of training and behavior modification because they are effective, build trust and, unlike harsher, compulsion methods, cannot cause pain, aggression or fear in dogs.” Your Dog’s Friend offers a variety of programs: free workshops by local professionals; training classes that include ongoing puppy kindergarten and basic, sports, and behavior-oriented classes; behavior and training advice; and referrals. Most of the free workshops are offered at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Bethesda and at a monthly workshop for recent adopters at the training center in Rockville. For more information or to register for workshops or classes, visit the website at yourdogsfriend.info or call 301-983-5913. [continued on 10]

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Should you get health insurance?

BY JIM MAHAFFIE

illie, a big, happy Bernese mountain dog, was a little over 2 years old when owner Shari Fisher of Bethesda found a mass on his shoulder and head. The diagnosis was a sarcoma cancer, which called for immediate surgery and two rounds of chemotherapy. “We thought that because he was so young, it was worth a try,” said Fisher. That was just the beginning. Willie had several cancers over his eight-and-a-half years. Between leg problems, vet visits, medications and radiation, the Fishers estimate they probably spent some $40,000 on Willie. Yes, $40,000. He used to get ear infections, too, said Fisher, and the cleaning, flushing and antibiotics would cost $400 or more. “I didn’t have pet insurance. What was I thinking?” Pets are expensive, yet very few dog and cat owners have medical insurance for them today. There are more than 78 million dogs and 86 million cats living in households in the U.S., according to the 2011-2012 American Pet Products Association National Pet Owners Survey. Americans will spend more than $26 billion in supplies, over-thecounter medicines and veterinary care in 2012. The survey also showed that the average routine vet visit costs $248 for a dog and

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$219 for a cat. And when a visit is surgical, those figures nearly double. Ouch—especially if you own an older pet or one with a chronic disease or injury, or a purebred dog with a genetic condition. There are as many as 10 national pet insurance providers, according to The Bark magazine, including Petplan, VPI or Veterinary Pet Insurance Company, and PurinaCare. Premiums can range from $10 to as much as $90 a month, depending on factors such the animal’s age and various coverages desired. Pet insurance works best when it protects against the unexpected, expensive things that can happen, according to Kate Zirkle, marketing manager for Embrace Pet Insurance, another national provider. Of the many providers, she said, “There are differences in what they cover, what they exclude, what they cost, their level of customer service and how they pay claims.”

“My advice to clients is to read the fine print carefully about coverage limitations and pre-existing conditions,” said R. Thomas Ramirez, D.V.M., a veterinarian at Alpine Veterinary Hospital in Cabin John. “Keep in mind that pet insurance companies must take in more money in premiums than they pay out in claims in order to stay in business.” Pick a plan that’s right for your needs and budget. The best way to do that, Zirkle said, is to call the company or go online to get answers to these questions: What is and is not covered? Does the plan cover genetic and breed-specific conditions? Chronic and recurring illnesses? Are there per-incident limits that restrict the amount you could be reimbursed? Does the plan reimburse claims based on a benefit schedule or the actual vet bill? How are wellness claims handled? Are there any restrictions that apply? Like any health insurance, read the policies carefully

PHOTO BY ELISE MAHAFFIE

Willie battled cancer and other health issues throughout his life, which led to about $40,000 in veterinary bills.

and understand co-pays, deductibles and caps. Make sure your vet qualifies under your plan, too. “It sounds ridiculous, but once they’re a part of your life, you’ll do anything for them,” said Fisher of her family’s beloved dog Willie. If you own a wonderful companion, pet insurance lets you rest easier, knowing that at least some of the costs will be covered for an expensive illness or injury.

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The life exotic What ‘unusual’ pets may you own? BY MARY WADE BURNSIDE

race Woods lives in a two-bedroom apartment in Gaithersburg, as do three cats, a parakeet, two hamsters and a leopard gecko. “I enjoy all different kinds of animals,” she said. “It’s interesting to watch them and learn about how they are and what they do in general. I wanted to kind of see the different temperaments of them. They’re very individual in and of themselves.” As long as her landlord permits it, in Montgomery County, Woods can have all those animals under one roof. And because she lives in Gaithersburg, she even could have chickens if she had enough property and the appropriate enclosure in which to keep them. But if she wanted to keep a bird native to North America, or a poisonous snake, or certain types of livestock, that would be a different story. Federal, state, county and even municipal laws dictate what animals residents can keep. For instance, nationally, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has placed a ban on the sale of reptiles with shells that are less than 4 inches, such as small turtles, because these animals tend to pose a salmonella risk. “It is enforced as a health regulation, but because it involves animals, it would be handled by us,” said Paul Hibler, deputy

October 2012 | Special Supplement to The Gazette

director of the Animal Services Division of the Montgomery County Police department, which enforces the codes having to do with the animals people can keep as pets. “There is a state law which prohibits quite a bit and a county law that prohibits exotics that are considered dangerous,” Hibler said. “The state law is more specific and mentions species.” According to the state law, residents cannot have foxes, skunks, bears, caimans— small alligator-like reptiles—alligators, crocodiles, a member of the cat family other than a domestic cat, a member of the dog family other than a domestic dog, a nonhuman primate and many kinds of poisonous snakes. Boa constrictors and pythons are OK to keep, as are iguanas, Hibler said. Nationally, it is illegal to own a bird native to the United States. “You can’t go out and catch a blue jay,” Hibler said. “But you can have exotic birds. Parrots are probably the most common and they are readily sold in pet stores, along with finches and canaries.” The Montgomery County Code is less specific. With some exceptions, “a person must not import, sell, trade, buy, barter, breed, keep or possess: (A) a wild animal; or (B) any animal that the County or any other jurisdiction finds is dangerous or a threat to public health or [continued on 10]

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aithersburg residents Mary Ann Wood and Alethea Kimmel got Abu, a beagle-basset mix, 19 years ago. Very mischievous, Abu would take tissues, grab food, and “bark, bark, bark.” “She was awful and she would steal everything,” said Wood. About five years ago, the time came for Abu to be put down, and the silence in the house afterward was deafening. “We came back home and the house was totally, deadly quiet,” she said. “We were so used to her whining all night long. “I still miss her terribly.” The attachment between an owner and a pet can be strong, and dealing with a pet’s death can be a tough process to navigate. Wood and Kimmel have had a bevy of dogs and cats over the last 20 or so years, and there have been some similarities, as well as some differences, in the animals’ passing. When their cat Max became their first animal to die, unexpectedly, a ritual began after they took him to the vet to try and figure out the cause. “Alethea cut a piece of fur off his neck, and they said, ‘What do you want to do with him?’” Wood said. Wood and Kimmel chose to have Max cremated. The ashes were given to them in a container resembling a small cedar chest. “It started snowballing,” Wood said.

“We brought the little bit of fur home and stuck it in the container and stuck it in one side of the entertainment center. And then we got a card from the vet, so we stuck the card up there. And then, we put a picture of [the cat] up there.” Until Wood’s mother came to live with them, that entertainment center also became a shrine for their other departed dogs and cats—Goldie, Sandy, Stormy, Snuffy, Sparta, and, of course, Max and Abu. Now, the remains have been stowed away in closet, not in view, but not forgotten.

Pet need to come to terms with the

fact that their beloved animal will not be around forever. “They don’t live as long as we do, and that’s the problem,” said Lawrence Bender, D.V.M., a veterinarian at Grove Center Veterinary Hospital in Gaithersburg. “The vast majority of people who live with pets will have to deal with this at one point. Their life span is dramatically different than ours.” Dealing with an animals’ death can come with some tough choices. Although some pets may pass away at their own time, others will grow old or become ill, forcing their owners to monitor the condition and eventually make what can be a difficult choice. “Euthanasia is a quality-of-life decision,” Bender said. “We have to differentiate between living and existing. If all a pet is doing is lying in a corner throwing up all Special Supplement to The Gazette | October 2012

day, that’s not much of a life. If they are still trotting around and playing, it doesn’t matter what the medical tests say. If they are enjoying themselves, let them have a life.” When it comes time to take a dog or a cat to the vet for the last time, “I think that you just know,” Wood said.

In these days of advanced veterinary

medicine, pet owners have more options. A specialist may be able to treat a condition to prolong a pet’s life. “To some degree, that’s a good thing that we have options,” Bender said. “But some regard it as more difficult. They have to decide to commit to dealing with the expense and it makes them feel guilty if they can’t afford to.” Bender estimates that the cost for treatment by an animal oncologist ranges from $5,000 to $10,000. “But there are people that do run up those bills,” he said. “And it’s difficult for me to judge. If they have $5,000 and it’s their choice to spend it on their dog rather than take that two-week vacation, that’s up to them.” Wood appreciates that she has never felt guilty at her vet’s office when she could not afford extensive treatment. “They don’t make you feel awful if you can’t do things that are almost ridiculous,” she said. “They don’t make you treat your pets like a kid.” When the time came to say good-bye, staying with the animal during the process

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was never a question for Wood. At her vet’s office, she said, a comfortable room with a sofa and window allow the owner and pet some final time together. “It just seems kind of a hard thing to let them go through that without” their owners there, said Wood. “From our experience with our pets, we just love them so much, and I would feel like we were deserting them … If you love them that much, you’re going to stay with them through that. You can’t make sure they are comfortable, but we hold them and pet them and talk to them.” Most pet owners make the same choice,

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Bender said. “Some people don’t want to be there, but I would say 70 to 80 percent of them do.” Bender said that Grove Center Veterinary Hospital vets can travel to a home in certain areas of the county if requested. “It doesn’t have to do with the size of the dog,” he said. “It has to do with if they feel more comfortable than in the hospital.”

When pet owners express their grief,

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pet-loss grief counseling, as well as gives pet owners the opportunity to create an online memorial to the animal they lost. “We provide one-on-one email support and phone support with the help of volunteers,” said Ginny Brancato, owner and founder of Florida-based Rainbows Bridge. “Our volunteers are people who have suffered a loss and now help others out with a shoulder to cry on and let them know that they are not alone in their grief.” According to Brancato, the website receives 45,000 unique visitors a week, with about 125 people sending emails and 25 people asking for pet-loss grief support each day. Brancato offers advice for owners dealing with grief. “Get the support you need. Talk to others. Surround yourself with an outlet to grieve. It’s OK to cry. It is so important to know that you are not alone,” she said. “Many people who lose a fur baby feel guilty ... Many feel crazy because society has said, ‘it’s just an animal.’ But it is not. This animal was loved and cared for and part of their family. To many, it is their only family.” Wood’s dog Abu might have been hard to handle, but she is still missed. “She was into everything and she was a challenge, but she had a lot of personality,” said Wood. “Even though she was so nasty, she was the only dog you could actually just put your arms around … and snuggle her on the sofa.”

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All About Pets

TRAINING, continued from 5

EXOTIC PETS, continued from 7

Potomac Dog School Tailors Training

safety, including types of animals excluded from State law prohibitions on dangerous animals.” “We usually enforce under the state law because the state law is more specific,” Hibler said. However, even though it is the goal of the department to enforce the law, “We’re a complaint-driven division. The only way we would know if somebody owned an exotic is if somebody complained or turned it in. Most of the complaints we get are concerned with domestics and livestock,” Hibler said. Ruth Hanessian of Rockville wants to change the laws regarding livestock, at least in her municipality. Hanessian, owner of the Animal Exchange pet store in Rockville, has been circulating a petition to allow households in the city to have two chickens. She said she does not find that to be unreasonable, “especially with this trend toward urban homesteading and interest in locally raised food. A household should be able to have a few chickens to supply them with eggs.” But Hanessian’s interests go beyond animals that are considered livestock. At Animal Exchange, Hanessian sells what she prefers to call “unusual”—not “exotic”—pets. “We sell birds and small animals: chinchillas, bunnies, hamsters, rats, mice, gerbils, guinea pigs.” Because of national law, Hanessian cannot sell birds native to the United States. For

Sidebottom, who has enjoyed a 20-year career in the pet industry, founded Potomac Dog School in Rockville. She trains dogs at her business, in people’s homes and in public areas. She operates out of a 6,800-squarefoot indoor/outdoor facility where she can also provide boarding, grooming and doggie day care. “That way we can train the dog in many different venues, such as day or night training or lessons with the owner involved,” she said. “It is good for the dogs to learn the same thing with different distractions and temptations.” While Sidebottom initially trains some dogs by herself, she soon involves the owners. “I show them the things they need to do to change their prior relationship, such as when the dog is not listening.” In addition to positive approaches, “I also use other ways to train,” she said. “I pick the best training methods that match the dog’s personality, and I teach puppies differently from older dogs.” But she does not punish. For example, “You don’t want the dog to be leading you down the street. If he’s pulling you, you should not yell. You should stop and turn either 90 or 180 degrees to show the dog where you want her to go rather than yelling if she goes somewhere else.” Training is a lifelong process, Sidebottom said, but a good start with good methods will take you and your dog a long way.

COURTESY OF YOUR DOG’S FRIEND

Michelle Mange and her dog Joey participate in Canine Musical Freestyle class at Your Dog’s Friend.

Sidebottom charges not by the class but by the fulfillment of objectives; for example, “come, quiet, wait by the door, walk on a loose leash, keep off the furniture, don’t jump on people, no inappropriate biting.” For lessons, contact Potomac Dog School at 301-217-0010, pdstrainer@potomacdog school.com or potomacdogschool.com.

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instance, she cannot sell an American mourning dove, also known as the turtledove, but she does offer white doves from the Philippines. Hanessian also sells reptiles, including bearded dragons, leopard geckos and the American chameleon, a good pet, she said, for young children to start with. While dogs and cats are popular pets in America, people may opt for “unusual” animals due to allergies, or because they live in a smaller space, such as an apartment, Hanessian said. “You don’t have to walk unusual pets and management is a lot easier, especially when some of them are caged. You don’t have them running loose in the house and you don’t need to empty the litter box...” Woods said she gets as much companionship from her parakeet as from her cats. She will walk into the room where he stays and say, “‘Hello,’ and he’ll tweet a greeting back to me.”

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BUYING A PET, continued from 3

ISTOCKPHOTO/ANDYWORKS

he American Kennel Club recognizes 175 different dog breeds, and all have different needs and temperaments. If you’re looking for a certain breed, your choice should be based on predictability of the purebred, said Ijamsville-based breeder Carol Lingley, who is a board member of the Potomac Valley Bernese Mountain Dog Club. “Within a range, you can assume you will get an animal of a certain size, temperament and personality,” she said. For instance, a border collie will herd and be extremely intelligent, according to Lingley. A corgi will also herd, and may nip at your heels. A beagle will hunt rabbits and a setter will flush out birds.

Both mixed breeds and purebreds can be found at shelters, but purebreds should be purchased from reputable breeders, said Lingley. “When you purchase a purebred, you become part of a community concerned with the welfare of that specific breed—rescue, health research, health registries, publications, merchandise, etc.” Lingley said that in her opinion, you’re taking a chance when getting a purebred dog from a shelter. What may look like a Labrador retriever when it’s young might actually be part dachshund or whippet. “You may not satisfy the longing for a sporting dog with a happy-go-lucky personality.” -Jim Mahaffie

“They tell you anything you need to know about a pet, like their life span, size, environment required, temperature ranges, what healthy looks like and much more,” said Beitler. PetSmart offers free orientation seminars on what to expect with a dog. “It’s pretty important to give people a realistic look at dog ownership. After all, puppies are cute and cuddly, but they grow up.” The cost of owning a pet should also be considered—not just the price of buying him, but also that of food, training and vet visits over the life of the animal. To those who want an inexpensive pet, Hanessian suggests the hermit crab, which along with his habitat can cost as little as $20. Hanessian often recommends a guinea pig for families with small children. “It doesn’t crawl out of its cage, and you can get one and all the equipment you need for $100 or so,” she said. A parakeet and cage cost around $70, and a cockatiel is $200 to $300 at Animal Exchange. The store has a black palm cockatoo for $15,000, too. “And that’s just the bird,” said Hanessian. “You have to add the 100-year commitment, as they live a long time.” Purebred dogs and cats are usually bought from breeders and costs vary greatly. “We always say the purchase price is the down payment, and you’ll spend much more than that over the dog’s lifetime,” said Carol Lingley, a Bernese mountain dog breeder.

COURTESY OF ANIMAL EXCHANGE

Animal Exchange employee May Clancy holds an American tricolor guinea pig.

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Pets are an integral part of most families. Finding key resources to address their health and well being is of the utmost importance to our readers. Join our new monthly All About Pets special feature. This will include print and online at Gazette.net. Reserve your space before November 30th and receive a 20% discount. We will feature contests, spotlight local pet organizations and feature pet experts.

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October 2012 | Special Supplement to The Gazette

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® Special Supplement to The Gazette | October 2012