PetLvr.com - [The Blog]

We just talked about why you should never buy a pet at a pet store, but why should you adopt instead? Well, setting aside that you’ll save a life and give a wonderful animal a second chance, thriftiness also comes into play when you choose the adoption option. There are many reasons adoption is the best financial choice. Here are a few.

Initial Cost

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Yes, the title of this post probably has you calling, “BS!” if you’re a kibble feeder and have shopped for meat for your human family recently. However, it’s true: If you’re feeding a premium kibble, a whole prey model raw diet might be less expensive, not to mention better for your pet! When I fed kibble, I gave my dog Innova Evo Red Meat Small Bites, at a cost of nearly $2.50 per pound. With raw, I average $2.00 or less per pound and feed a diet that’s mostly red meat and game meat. Here’s how I do it:

Co-Ops and Group Buys

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I think most pet lovers, especially those who read this blog, know why it’s a bad idea to buy a cat or dog at a pet store. Even Oprah has taken up the cause of raising puppymill awareness. But did you know that if you buy a pair of rats or even fish for your aquarium at a pet store, you could be contributing to animal cruelty, unbalanced ecosystems, and the proliferation of antibiotic resistant bacteria, among other social woes?

Large pet stores acquire live animals from a variety of sources, including local mill-style breeders, huge warehouses where pets are bred, and importers who capture wild animals and sell them. All of these options are socially irresponsible and, in most cases, highly inhumane. Unfortunately, to keep up with demand, pet stores must make use of suppliers who can provide a continuous supply of large quantities of live pets. This means that more responsible means of animal breeding, like hobby breeding, aren’t compatible with pet stores’ needs — and besides, reputable, responsible hobby breeders wouldn’t dream of selling to retail stores.

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As worldwide financial panic continues, so does our series on pet ownership in a down economy. Last time, we talked about making pet toys at home. That’s a great way to save some money, but you can’t make everything your pets need. For example, vet care is an absolute necessity. This time, we’ll look at ways to save on the necessities that you can’t make at home.

Vet Care Deals

In an emergency, there’s no time to worry about price. But when your pet is due for a routine procedure like a spay/neuter or vaccinations, you have many options. Start by throwing the idea that your pet needs to get all his or her yearly vaccinations at once out the window. It’s easier on the immune system to give vaccines one at a time, with about three weeks between jabs to recover. Unless doing vaccinations separately would result in a larger total number of injections, it’s okay to do one at a time for adult pets. This gives you the leeway to budget monthly for shots, and to go to monthly low-cost clinics for those immunizations. For example, Petco stores host vaccination clinics monthly in most areas.

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With the current financial crisis, if you’re not cutting back on expenses already, it’s likely that you will be soon. Pet parents are feeling the crunch even more than those without pets. It can be hard to justify spending extra money for fancy pet toys, especially when some families and pets are still coping with the aftermath of Ike and Gustav. Of course, to make matters worse, prices are going up on just about everything, and show no signs of coming down any time soon.

Luckily, there are plenty of ways to save money on pet care without compromising your pets’ health or happiness. Making pet toys at home is one way to cut costs while keeping pets happy and stimulated. More →

Help Us Find The *BEST* Pet Halloween Costume for 2008!

Okay, okay! It doesn’t have to be the best! But, HART will pay you $$$ money to dress up your pet anyway (be it your dog, cat, rabbit, rat, snake, etc) in a Pet Halloween Costume! Your pet will love you! You will love your pet! You will love taking pictures of your pet and sending it to PetLvr and possibly win a prize!

HART will also pay you $$$ money to mention this contest on your own blog, even if you don’t have a pet or want to dress your pet up in a pet halloween costume. Here are the rules and the small fine print:

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Dear Petlvr Mailbag …

Is declawing a cat a good idea? I have people giving both sides, and although I think it is sad, what are the alternatives to torn up furniture?

Signed,

gtcathey from Ima Blogger

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Welcome to PetLvr Reviews, a new series here at PetLvr - The Blog, where we take a time-out to look at some interesting and (not-so-interesting) pet related products. If you would like your product reviewed by us, please check out our “About Product Reviews” page.

Electronic Catmouse Litter Odor Eliminator

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September 19, 2008 is International Talk Like A Pirate Day .. so put on your Pirate Costumes and AARRR! Avast me Hearties .. Have fun annoying all your co-workers

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Winnipeg, Manitoba

Our friend Brenda Puttaert .. the designer and owner of “Doggie Duds” along with “Pawsh Pet Boutique” will be at “The Pawsitively Wild Pet Show .. as an exhibitor. This celebration of pets will feature amazing demonstrations, fun contests and the announcement of the Winnipeg Free Press’s 2008 Canine Idol winners. You’ll also discover the latest in pet care products and services - through exhibitors such as Pawsh Pet Boutique. Mostly, you should go down to the show and get a fitting for your little doggie and get a nice sweater for the Winter!

Time and Place

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