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Tips about pets and home ownership for first time buyers -
(before and after you move in; if you find a stray; finding a lost pet
integrating a new cat...)
HOT TIP: Save money at the Vet (and your own doctor, too!)
Agg - the bills! Do you ever go into shock when you get your vet or doctor’s bills? The company that I work for recently changed policies and now my major medical only covers 50%! I think that is completely unethical, but what can I do? Well, even if I cut back on preventative care for myself, I’d never cut back on what my little ones need. Any veterinary, dentist, or doctor’s expense for humans or animals - even optional services, can be charged at ZERO INTEREST payment plan on a Care Credit Card. Depending on the expense, your service provider may have 3-18 month payment plans at ZERO interest. Credit lines vary based on your credit standing, but the total cost must exceed $299 to be charged to Care Credit.
Call 1-866-896-7864 for details, 8AM - midnight M-F EST. Anytime you anticipate a high bill, just ask your doctor, dentist or veterinarian if they have a Care Credit payment plan. For more information, visit http://www.carecredit.com. Your doctors and veterinarians can also call for information 800-859-9975 - their applications will even be processed on Saturdays 10AM - 6:30PM EST, and a provider website is available at http://www.carecredit.com/practices.
Cat Lovers: Find a cat-lovin’ veterinarian: There are some wonderful veterinarians out there, but do you know why it is helpful if your vet specializes in cats? It will save you money, heartache, and a lot of time and stress for you and your cat. A cat doctor will be up to date on the latest, most effective and least invasive cat therapies, while regular vets must keep up on a variety of things. A cat doctor will know that some shots need only be taken once every 3 years and some can be eliminated when your cat is over 10. They know why intra-nasal shots are safer. A cat hospital will not have dogs around to stress out your cat while he or she is healing. Importantly, a cat doctor will know what is wrong from experience and will not have to go through as many diagnostic procedures. That’s MY experience!
One vet, who preferred dogs, cost me $450 without coming up with a diagnosis and was about to send my cat for an ultrasound at $900. I took Angel to a cat doctor 35 miles away and he immediately looked at the video I’d made of her hacking cough. The other vet had taken a week to even watch the video. Of course, Angel wouldn’t cough when in the veterinarian’s office. The cat doctor immediately diagnosed asthma and asked if he could use the sound track on a podcast. The diagnosis was $84 including treatment, and further injections are under $20 when she needs them (which is about once every 2 months).
I had asthma as a kid, but I didn’t know cats got it. Thank goodness he knew. I always used a cat doctor back home; I guess I forgot why!
One more thought: Keep your pets healthy emotionally. Domestic pets are like little children forever. You bond with them when they are tiny and they will feel hurt if you neglect them when they are older. They count on you not only for food but for special attention daily. This means eye-contact and a kind word when you see them, brushing, a little play time for young adults, lap time, to be carried around, maybe a special treat before bed. They won’t understand if you ignore, neglect or abandon them emotionally or physically. Dogs and cats will live for 13-20 years respectively, maybe longer, and will count on you for love, health and care for their whole lives. I could say a lot more, but I expect I’d be preaching to the choir on this website!
While you are house-hunting:
 We always advise you to find a really good real-estate agent. Now, a group of realtors have created the Pet Realty Network! Be sure to check out their web site before going elsewhere!
Find a cat lovin’ Boarding Kennel: Your cat won’t be as relaxed if there are dogs around, and staff may not think cats need much attention. :( At one kennel, they opened windows to ‘air it out’ on a freezing cold day. They were thinking of their noses, not the cats. The cages were metal and only had thin blankets. My skinny little Taslin was actually shivering when I came to fetch him. Why didn’t they have proper ventilation? Did he ever get out to exercise on the cat tree? I finally found a good cat sitter, and I found a nice kennel that didn’t advertise. Each cat has a double-size cage, sunshine, consistent temperatures, and supervision. The kennel people actually spend time petting the cats. Watch what they do when you visit every time! A cat kennel may cost more, but it would cost even more for me – financially and emotionally – if my cat got sick!
After you move in:
 Hot Tip on Pet Doors: I installed two doors in my house - one in the garage, and one in the dining room that goes out into a fenced yard. The one in the dining room has a cover that you can slide over the door to close it. All the cats know it is closed because they can’t see through it. The one in the garage has those little tabs at the bottom to close it. When I decided to keep them in at night, and locked that door - they got very frustrated because they could still see through it but it wouldn’t open. This had a couple of negative impacts: 1) they were afraid to try it when it WAS open; 2) they shredded the wall around it trying to open it; and 3) they stopped using it all together . So now I have to block it off when I want it closed, so they can’t see it, and hope they’ll re-train to use it when it is open. What a pain.
Protect Your Pet Check for poisoned rodent and insect traps inside and outside before brining your cat home. Poisons include many chemicals - particularly anti-freeze, and dangers include sharp objects and looped cords or ropes. Make sure cords on curtains and blinds are tucked out of reach. Make sure window screens are secure, and prevent windows from being opened more than 2-3 inches. Keep the doors on large appliances securely closed! If you have kids, train them well.
URGENT for Cat Lovers: Your Routine: Keep your cat in the house for four to six weeks after the move. Keep a consistent routine with regard to food, playtime, lap time, etc. Unpack things that are familiar to your cat first, like a favorite chair or cat tree from which he can observe things and stay out of the way. If he feels secure, he is less likely to be running here and there and getting underfoot, or into trouble.
Litter Boxes: Keep your cat in the house for four to six weeks after the move. Keep the litter box in a quiet place away from activity so he feels safe going to use it. The entire route to the litter box should be easy to navigate (free of small children and activity), or he may choose another spot. Use the same litter that you have always used.
Going Out: Keep your cat in the house for four to six weeks after the move. Later, supervise constantly when/if he goes out. Make sure the door is always wide open in case he gets scared and needs to run inside.
New Homeowners: Protect Your Assets: a) Be careful until you get used to the new costs that come with owning a home. b) Be wary of schemes that offer homesteading, insurances, or to help you pay off your mortgage faster. It might be better to start a savings account for emergencies or just make extra payments yourself. c) Keep receipts from improvements because you can deduct those costs from the sale of your house and avoid paying sales tax (again) on those amounts.
Shortening a mortgage: Look at the amortization schedule on any mortgage. The ‘selling price’ may double because of the interest. For example, my loan of $150K at 6% will cost over $173K just in interest in 30 years, and you are paying interest up front. Meaning, the bank gets most of their money before you pay off your loan. You can cut years off of your mortgage by paying one or two extra payments towards the principal annually, starting anytime. Online calculators like this one show the difference.
If you find a stray cat:
No, a stray cat won’t survive on his own. If his mom didn’t know how to hunt, it is unlikely she could have taught her babies. Cats who are abandoned will usually die from starvation and exposure, or predators within two years. If you find a stray, take him or her to the vet to check for a microchip.
If you cannot touch him, read the story of Skittle in my book, The Cat Lover’s Guide Finding Your Own Home. Chapter 13 is available free here. Network with local agencies to find a good home. You can find all the compassionate animal charities and rescue groups in your State on www.Petfinder.com Select those nearby to contact first. Many of these groups have e-newsletters and can send out a message to everyone in their network, multiplying the possibility that you can find a home for your stray cat. I found a great home for Georgy in just just a few weeks after he recovered from severe neglect. Georgy’s story is in Chapter 13, too.
If you lose your pet: Most important DON’T GIVE UP! Keep looking! Post flyers! Chapter 13 of my book has lots of ideas that you can use to find your lost pet. It is available FREE here.
- When our stray cat Simba was adopted out, he got lost the very next day because someone let him out by mistake! It took nearly two months before a man spotted him from the photos I posted in the newspapers and on color flyers all over town, and he was two miles down the road - headed home (which was 20 miles away on the other side of the freeway). It took another six weeks before that kind gentleman could entice Simba indoors. We kept him after that.
 A neighbor of mine had lost two dogs out of their fenced yard when they moved, and it also took two months and lots of flyers - but they found them again. - The Humane Society newsletter for Tacoma/Pierce County (fall, 2008) included a story of a lost 7-year old Pomeranian who was reunited with her owner TWO YEARS later, to the day, because he was micro-chipped (p. 7).
Most important, don’t give up.
 Integrating a new cat:
Pay lots of attention to your ‘older’ (original) cats.
· First – keep the new cat in a room for a few days or weeks.
· Then, for 20 minutes, let the new cat out and put your cat in the room so they can sniff out each other’s life-style.
· If all goes well, let everyone mingle with supervision. Pay attention to your cats when they come around the new one, and to the new one when no one else is looking.
· Try brushing everyone so they all smell the same.
· Do not let the new cat pick on your cats.
· Do not punish your cat if s/he asserts him or herself.
· Play time is the great mediator. Cats forget to be mad when they play or when they each have a bowl of tuna.
· Give your cat lots of treats and love in front of the new one, so she or he won’t feel as threatened or pushed out.
If you decide to rent for awhile:
The following Tips were provided by Ria Sengupta, an intern at the Delta Society. I only have a comment on the first tip.
No Pets means NO PETS
SG: I think that, if you really like the rental location, safety for your pet, price, and quality, it may be worth talking to the managers and offering a pet deposit. I have done this several times successfully. However, it isn’t a good idea to pursue this option if the managers are not immediately responsive. You could end up moving again in short order. Do they stop to pet your dog? If not, as Ria says: Why bother arguing with them? You'll just end up wasting your valuable house hunting time and energy. Moreover, it might lead to a hostile situation for you and your pets in the long run. Look for places with a pet- friendly attitude and policy.
TIMING is the key
A new home and the surrounding environment affect both you and your pets. And you would know best about the exact needs of your own pet. So this careful decision and search requires extra considerations applicable to both. Plan house hunting few months in advance because locating the best option for you along with your pet might take some extra time.
Be HONEST
'Sneaking in your pets' -I know this isn't a usual habit but even if it crosses your mind forget about it. It's wrong and possibly illegal in some cases. (SG: and your pet may be confiscated by animal control)
BUDGET realistically
Most apartments will have a pet deposit or might require you to have specific pet insurance. Consider this when you decide on your average monthly rent.
Get your PET DOCUMENTS in order
Be prepared with references, veterinarian records if possible to show the landlord that you are trustworthy and organized.
SIGNED on paper
Make sure your lease states the PETS OK clause or has a written clearance if your landlord is making an exception to their regular 'no pets' policy for you.
The pros of having a pet in your family are greater than the potential cons. Have a look at some important 'resources' gathered by Delta Society for property owners, landlords and tenants. Not only do pets relieve one's stress, but they also help enrich our lives with smiles and true companionship.
Delta Society's Mission: Improving human health through service, companion and therapy animals.
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