It is a luxury to be able to have a pet, but what happens when you can’t afford to take care of it?

The December 11, 2021 Mayfield tornado had an impact on many people’s lives in its aftermath, but the impact it had on pet owners within the area has gone under the radar. Pets were displaced after the storm and needed to be reunited with their families, so Facebook pages were set up to post misplaced pets. This created a semi-centralized place for owners to search for their pets.

“We helped approximately a dozen animals that we know, or had every reason to expect, were displaced by the storm,” Executive Director of the Calloway County Humane Society, Kathy Hodge, said. “The local animal shelter in Mayfield was a central source of posting and they received most of the animals who were separated from their owners in the storm… microchips were a big help in reuniting people and their pets.”

After the tornado, homes were destroyed and communities began to rebuild. While all of this was going on, the pets of families that had lost their homes had to be sheltered and fed. 

“We took in dogs whose owners lost their housing or whose housing was damaged,” Hodge said. “Some people were giving up their dogs because of the expenses or because they had become inconveniences while dealing with the aftermath of the storm.”

Our furry friends are priceless, but if we can’t provide for them then tough decisions have to be made. After the chaos that the December tornado brought, some pet owners had to make that tough decision.

According to worldpopulationreview.com, Kentucky ranks 11th in pet ownership within the United States. In Kentucky, 46.5% of pet owners own a dog while 32.2% own a cat. Overall, 64.1% of households that live in Kentucky have at least one pet.

An article by USA Today estimates that the annual cost of owning a single dog can be upwards of $4,000 a year. The cost of owning a pet varies on the individual owner and pet, but this figure gives an overall idea of what we are spending on average as a collective. 

Food, veterinary care and pet insurance are three important topics when you are a pet owner. They can also get expensive. According to an article by moneyunder30.com, dog food can cost an owner anywhere from $100-$900 annually, while cat food can be from $100-$500 annually. 

Veterinary care is a very notable expense when it comes to your pet, especially in the early stages of ownership. Getting your animal vaccinated will cost you around $100 a year and getting them spayed or neutered is a one-time payment that can be from anywhere between $35-$500. A microchip will be $50 on average and if you rent out wherever you live, expect a pet fee to be added onto your monthly rent.

Pet insurance is helpful for keeping veterinary costs down, but it is not cheap. Pet insurance can cost from anywhere between $250-$1,000 a year. According to Forbes, dog insurance is $576 annually on average and cat insurance is a bit less at $336 annually. These numbers are based off of a plan with $5,000 annual coverage, a $250 deductible and an 80% reimbursement rate.

As inflation rates have remained high over the years, things have become increasingly expensive. Not just for pet products, but everything in general. This makes it harder for your average citizen to have spending money for additional things, including pets.

One medical emergency can deplete an entire savings account. So how can you, as a pet owner, navigate through whatever life throws at you and keep your furry (or scaly) friend around? 

One piece of advice would be to look into low-cost veterinary clinics in your area. You can oftentimes find discounted, or even free services, vaccinations and procedures at these clinics. 

Pet food banks can be found within the area as well. The Murray-Calloway County Humane Society is one of many centers in Western Kentucky that provides assistance for pet owners. 

Educating potential pet owners before they have their pet about ideal budgets and what to expect would also help. Planning out homemade food recipes, affordable veterinary care and managing pet-related expenses ahead of time can help out you, your pet, and your wallet in the long run.

You cannot see an emergency or tragedy coming, but you can plan around one. Making use of the resources available to you in your area can have a lasting impact on you and your animal companion.