Celebrate National Pet Day 2013 While Saving Money at the Same Time

April 11 is National Pet Day 2013, which celebrates furry and feathery friends by reminding pet owners to provide extra praise, care, toys and treats. The cost of pet ownership, however, can be a burden on owners’ wallets on this special day and beyond, which is why top personal finance site www.GoBankingRates.com features a special post by blogger Elle Martinez of Couple Money about her top ways to save money on pet care.

Last month we took our cat in for his well care visit and rabies shot. All in all, it went well; next visit he has to have some blood work done to monitor any side effects of his current medication. Having him has been a treat for us, but it’s also a responsibility and pet costs can really add up.

With the economy affecting so many people, including pet owners, I wanted to share some tips on how you can save money on pet care for your furry (or feathered) friend.

How to Find a Good Vet (Within Your Budget)

Local Shelter

Some local shelters offer low cost vet services if you meet certain income requirements. When I was in college, this was the best option for me as I could pay for all the visits and services my cat needed at the time. The only disadvantage was the limited hours of the clinic.

Ask Friends

When we moved to North Carolina, we took our pet to the closest office. It was all right until my cat developed some bladder problems. After I noticed it wasn’t getting better, I asked my friends who they would recommend.

I got a referral to my friend’s vet. Happily, it worked out–my cat is doing much better and I found a vet that I was comfortable visiting.

You may be able to find a high quality veterinarian at a reasonable price just by asking your friends.

Look at the Office, Not Just the Doctor

Going to a multi-doctor office has many benefits:

• More appointment options. More doctors usually means more flexibility with their schedule. If you’re working, this can help you by seeing if you can get an appointment before or after work.
• Less likely to need a back up. If your main doctor is out of the office, you don’t have to worry.

Continue reading the article here.