Small Animal Community / Critters Community / Ferrets / How has the state of the economy affected your pet care decisions? / Latest Posts

RE: How has the state of the economy affected your pet care decisions?

JosiesMom — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 06:45:32 GMT

Well, in MY state of the economy, I"ve benn beset by setbacks. Health issues forced me to limit my service calls. The economy began to limit the services requested and clients began stretching their service dates as well as eliminating requested services, which forced me to get what started out as a part time job working for hourly wages. Something I haven't had to do for many years.

This reduced my usual income drastically, and I got behind on the bills I had accrued at the higher earnings rate. Regardless of contacting creditors and such, phone services were cut off, internet services cut off, I got behind on my rent and my grocery list consisted of ramen noodles and PBJ sandwiches.

But my animals didn't get shortchanged on their needs. They still got their quality feeds, supplements & treats.

The parttime job began working me full time as well as overtime which sounds great on paper, but after taxes - I might as well have not even worked those extra 15 to twenty hours!

When Fozzy developed his insulinomic episodes and I took him to the vet, I made a crucial decision to use money set aside for at least one more truck payment, thinking that the recent conversations with the creditor would allow me a few more days to the next paycheck.

bzzz!! WRONG ANSWER! They reposessed my truck anyway!

Fozzy's second trip to the vet with Faylene was via cycle.

So without a truck, my motorcycle (which is PAID for) has become my daily driver. Given the same set of circumstances, I'd do the same thing again - my animals come first - I can always get another vehicle - there is only ONE Fozzy and he is the most handsomest ferret in the whole wide world - just ask him!

Fozzy & Faylene have ridden in the cycle carrier several times before and don't seem a bit stressed by it. The new crew will get their trips soon too.

Actually without the truck now, I will be able to save more money per month and the next vehicle I get to utilize in my service business, will be a used vehicle and will be paid for at time of purchase! NO MORE payments for me!

As far as toys goy, I bring home boxes with fun cut outs from my night job, picked up some cardboard tubes at Lowes (inserts from carpet runner rolls) and I scrounge through thrift shops for new stuffed animals and other items. I buy funnels only on sale ( which is nothing new) and I make my own ferret sacks and accessories. I buy their meaty items in bulk ( which I already did) and will make another concerted effort to raise my own mouse supply.

I rent and thankfully my utilities are included in my rent. While I HAVE cut many corners regarding my personal expenditures, I have NOT cut back on what the ferrets need!

They are my source of joy, friendship and delight and it wouldn't be fair to them to offer them cut-rate items.

Cheers, Kim

RE: How has the state of the economy affected your pet care decisions?

LittleFuzz — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 21:19:42 GMT

Hi. I don't know if it was so much the economy but i did purchase pet insurance. I have one ferret. A lovely little girl. I also have a loving dog. I know that sudden vet expenses can be very expensive so I got pet insurance. I spent over $500 on blood tests and x-rays last summer when my dog was ill. A few months before that I had a ferret emergency and had to have a vet open their office for a late night emergency visit. It turned out she had intestinal blockage. Lucky for us we got everything taken care of without surgery. Just the same that was about $600. Vet bills are so expensive and pet insurance can help. I hope that nothing serious ever happens again but you never know. Pets can be expensive because unexpected things do come up and I will spend the money it takes to make them better. So that's why I purchased the insurance. Sure I pay a premium but if something expensive does happen I know I've got something to help me out with the expenses.

How has the state of the economy affected your pet care decisions?

critters-moderator — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:29:01 GMT

How has the state of the economy affected your pet care decisions?

Do you make food treats for your ferret over buying them? Do you buy less toys or have your ferret toy habits not changed? Are you going to wait on purchasing that new ferret housing accessory?

Let us know!