by Tamara Ponama

Created on: November 19, 2008   Last Updated: April 21, 2009

Economic pressures are hitting many of us below the belt and from every direction. People are experiencing severe losses, such as job losses, stock market losses, real estate losses, bankruptcies, and foreclosures. Even our pets are subject to the impact of these changing times.

If one's pet is ill or injured during times of severe financial shortage, people often panic and the only solution looms negatively: euthanasia. Euthanasia is an option but it is not the only option.

Pet owners can suddenly find themselves hard-pressed to meet with the costs of medical care for their animals. Pet insurance may be something that fits into the budget and costs are relatively reasonable but when one's income has declined, pet insurance may not be a top priority. What can one do then?

1. Prevention Immunization prevents many major costly and/or deadly pet illnesses. Find low-cost or free shot clinics. Local animal shelters, the Humane Society and many pet stores offer these clinics regularly.

2. Safety Keep pets safe. If poochie can jump the backyard fence or dig under it, one might as well engrave a personal invitation to a favorite veterinarian and don't forget to enclose a healthy-sized check with it.

3. Be Prepared Know your vet. Do not wait until there is an emergency and attempt to find a vet. If one does not have a veterinarian take a phone survey and compare. Go visit those who interest you. Fees and services can vary significantly.

4. Negotiate Veterinarians are people too. Many are willing to negotiate payments with patrons they know. Be honest about the circumstances and ask the vet to work with you. Then, be sure that you can make the agreed payments!

5. Hold a Fund Raiser Call every friend and ask for donations for a yard sale to save Poochie's life or pay for emergency surgery. Post pictures of your pet on the bright colored "Yard Sale Save Poochie's Life" signs. Be sure to check your city ordinances about yard sales.

One night, this writer took in a stray cat that was dropped off in the yard. The cat was friendly, kind of roundish looking and very sweet. She willingly went into a wire kennel padded with a cozy blanket and bowls filled with food and water. The next morning this chubby stray was skinny and had three chunky, fuzzy little babies with her! She was so proud of her babies that she was named Mamacita (Little Mama) on the spot.

Prolific cats can pose major problems though and sterilization is highly recommended as prevention. Mamacita needed to be spayed shortly after her kittens were weaned. The budget was zero at the time. Because she was so special, the solution was a "Kitty Shower."

Invitations were sent out to friends, relatives and neighbors! How wonderful people can be when we tell of our need. The "Kitty Shower" was fun!Everyone enjoyed watching the kittens play and contributed several months worth of cat litter, cat food, catnip and cat toys. This in turn, freed up the budget to pay for low-cost spaying and immunizations.

Mamacita and one baby remained as part of the family and eventually homes were found for the other kittens.

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