How to Find Inexpensive Pet Vaccinations

You know very well the importance of keeping your pet vaccinated. But you also know how expensive it is to take your pet for shots at the veterinarian. Often it’s upwards of $50 just to walk in the door, never mind the treatment your pet will receive. The answer is not to stop getting your pet vaccinated, but rather to find inexpensive pet vaccinations.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Find your area’s animal shelter. This is a prime place that very often offers walk-in clinics and special hours for vaccinations. Sure, you may have to arrive at some strange time and wait awhile for your turn in line, but the money you save will override anything else. The Humane Society of Southern Arizona in Tucson offers vaccinations twice a week for $10 each.
2. Call around to local pet shops, feed stores and other animal-loving places to find out if they know anyplace where pets can get vaccinated for cheap. Some pet shops may feature their own clinic and offer less expensive vaccinations than you’d pay for at the vet.
3. Ask other pet owners. Of course, make sure the pet that person’s pet isn’t dying of rabies or has some other disease that could have been vaccinated against. If you see a person with a healthy, happy pet, simply ask where she takes her beloved animal for vaccinations. Pet owners love sharing tips that will help other animals.
4. Do it yourself. The cheapest method for vaccinations by far is administering them yourself. Supplies you need will again be found at many feed stores or online. If your local feed store does not have the supplies, ask them where they would recommend getting them. Don’t randomly choose a source without knowing its reputation. Also make sure you know what you’re doing. Administering too much, too little or the wrong vaccine in the wrong way can severely harm your pet.

Tips & Warnings

• You can ask your vet where to find inexpensive vaccinations, but chances are high she will not tell you because that would mean you’d stop paying $50 just to walk in the door.
• Vaccinations, at any cost, are one of the simplest ways to ensure your beloved animal does not contract any debilitating and potentially life-threatening disease.
• One more way to try to get inexpensive vaccinations is to ask your vet for a discount. Perhaps you can barter some of your services for some of hers.
• The do-it-yourself method will greatly reduce your cost-but only if you don’t end up needing to take your pet to the vet to fix your botched job.