Spending on pet health rising despite economic downturn
July 22nd, 2008 Posted in Pet SupplySummer Rose took on a second job to pay for her pug’s hip replacement.
And Christine Lewis says she dishes out more on her beagle than her friends do on their toddlers.
Far from it. But the three Dallas women are part of a growing legion of pet owners around the country choosing to invest in their animals‘ well-being even as their own health-care costs are rising.
“Pets don’t live in the back yard anymore,” said Dr. Bonnie Beaver, a professor of small-animal medicine at Texas A&M University. “They live in the house. Their role in our lives has changed. Some say they’re family members.”
This means pet owners are making more sacrifices, especially since veterinary advancements in the past two decades have made health care pricier, Dr. Beaver said.
Katherine Wells, a veterinarian at the Veterinary Referral Center of North Texas, said she’s seen clients take out a second mortgage to pay for their pets’ surgery.
Tags: amp, animals, economic downturn, mortgage, Pet, pet owners, pets, vet, veterinarianRelated posts
Tags: amp, animals, economic downturn, mortgage, Pet, pet owners, pets, vet, veterinarian
