The Tragedy and High Cost of Losing Your Pet
Did you know: every single year, more than 10 million dogs & cats go missing or get stolen in the U.S.A.. That’s 1 out of every 3 pets in the country, at some point during their lifetime.
No one likes to think about it: the panic you feel when you call your beloved pet’s name and they don’t answer. You call them again and they still don’t answer. You shake their favorite squeaky toy and wave a tempting treat, hoping this will lure them to the sound of your voice. Still no answer. You start to search, frantically in all of their favorite “spots” in the home and backyard and then expand the search to the neighbors and other places they might be. If you’ve ever experienced the heartbreak of a lost pet – then you know that the only thing that makes it all better is when you are reunited once more.
Losing a pet can be heartbreaking and also costly. If your pet wanders into the street and is hit by a car, they may be hurt and nearby but unable to answer your voice. When you find them, you can face a veterinary bill that ranges from a thousand to ten thousand dollars, depending on the injury. Whether you or a family member left a door unlocked by accident or your pet wiggled out of a “secure” fence, at that point simply doesn’t matter.
Sometimes your pet can get loose and fortunately get found by the local animal shelter or county dog catcher. While you have a wonderful – furry and happy reunion – you are still facing a costly situation. Some animal shelters will charge you a “boarding fee” for the number of days Fluffy or Fido has been with them. They likely will also charge you for any vet care or shots or if the animal was spayed (in case they were preparing the animal to be adopted). A dog catcher from the county may also charge a fee too. Depending on what part of the U.S.A. you are in, your bill can range from $50 to $300.
If your pet gets lost and has a bit of an adventure and meets a new “friend” er, a skunk then this is going to be a smelly problem to fix. “De-skunking” your cat or dog, to remove the offensive and strong odor, can be a yucky if you do it yourself and expensive if you can find a groomer to do it. Some groomers charge extra fees given the lingering smell your pet makes even after the treatment and service. Depending on breed, this can run you up to $200.
What happens when you can’t find your pet and they do not return home? It is not unheard of for purebred cats and dogs to be stolen and then re-sold for a profit or kept by the people who took them. Some pets simply go missing and never come back. Without some type of GPS tracking device, you are simply at the mercy of your local neighbors and police.
So can you afford not to invest in the extra protection for your beloved pet? One solution is the pet TrackR starting around $29. Plus, for a limited time, you can still get free shipping.
Not being able to find your loved pet quickly can not only be an expensive endeavor, but one that leaves you with heartache that is difficult to deal with in the short, and possibly the long, term.
