This article is sponsored by VIP Petcare. It does not reflect the work or opinions of NBC New York’s editorial staff. To learn more about VIP Petcare, visit vippetcare.com.
As much as we all love cats and dogs, we also love talking ourselves out of adopting one. From time to money to imagining those puppy dog eyes begging us to stay home rather than go on vacation, we can summon a litany of excuses to stop ourselves from adding a four-legged friend to the family.
Fortunately, a lot of our fretting is misguided. That’s because owning and caring for a cat or a dog is much more affordable and convenient than we think. Especially when you visit VIP Petcare. With their nationwide network of Community Clinics and Wellnes Centers, VIP Petcare provides the highest standard of preventative veterinary care for pet parents and their pet kids.
Still on the fence? Consider these five facts of modern pet ownership, which prove that you can reap all the rewards of a new furry pal (endless cuddles, Frisbee games and kisses) without significantly altering your lifestyle or draining your bank account.
1. Pets Adapt
Before adopting a pet, many of us worry about how owning one will affect our already busy lives. How will we be forced to alter our schedules to account for the new companion? What will we have to give up in order to bend to their lifestyle?
But the fact of the matter is that pets adapt to our lifestyles, not vice versa. Cats are easy (give them a couch and some food and they’re good), while a well-trained dog becomes an easy companion who’s happy to accompany you wherever you go, from trips to the store to runs in the park.
Bottom line: pets are a part of your family and day-to-day life rather than an inconvenience.
2. It’s a Pet-Friendly World
In the past, having a pet could prevent people from traveling. And who can blame loving owners for not wanting to send their animals to the kennel?
In recent years, however, pet-friendly establishments have become the new norm. From dog-friendly hotels and restaurants to cat cafés and even the office, you can take your pet virtually anywhere. So whether you like to get work done at the nearest coffee shop or spend summer weekends road tripping, there’s plenty of room to take your buddy along for the ride.
3. VIP Petcare Has Convenient Locations
While we all look forward to the fun part of being a pet parent (again: cuddles, Frisbee, repeat as necessary), most of us don’t count down the days to the next vet visit. Who wants to take time out of his or her day for a long drive through traffic to make a vet appointment?
VIP Petcare solves that dilemma with their convenient locations, which can be found at your local pet or feed retail stores. So rather than make a special trip to the vet, you can just drop in to one of their regularly scheduled clinics whenever you’re picking up items at the local pet store and get your dog or cat the care they deserve, all in as little as 15 minutes.
4. Preventative Care Saves Lives and Money
Like anything in life, planning ahead pays in dividends when it comes to pet care. By investing in preventative care for your dog or cat, you’ll not only keep them healthier but you’ll also save money in the long run by avoiding large medical procedures down the road.
From vaccinations and heartworm prevention, to flea and tick control and fecal and blood testing, VIP Petcare provides the preventative services your animals need now, keeping them healthy so that you won’t incur major expenses and inconveniences in the future. VIP Petcare uses only brand name vaccinations and medications while still offering their services at a very affordable price.
Remember: It’s a lot easier and cheaper to prevent disease than it is to treat it. By getting your pet tested once a year, you’ll be able to detect any abnormalities before symptoms even present themselves.
5. Microchipping Provides a Permanent Form of Identification
Losing a pet is heartbreaking. It’s also stressful, time consuming and expensive as we put all our efforts and resources toward locating it.
By microchipping your pet, you are going a long way toward securing its safety as well as saving yourself the trouble of looking for it should it get lost. In fact, chipped pets are two and a half times more likely to be returned to their home. Identification chips are injected between your pet’s shoulder blades. When a lost pet gets picked up and brought to an animal shelter or veterinary clinic, workers will scan it for a microchip and read its unique code. This code is stored with your pet’s profile and linked to your contact information, making it easy for you to get them home ASAP.
Now that your ready to adopt a pet, it’s time to ensure it’s happy, healthy and safe. For more information on VIP Petcare, from clinic locations to services offered to pricing packages, visit vippetcare.com.
