Easy Ways to Save Money on Vaccinations for Your Pet

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Pet vaccinations can be expensive. Learn ways you can save money on them!

Heather Levin lives in Michigan and has had dogs for over 10 years. She writes about green living, saving money and the environment, on Money Crashers Personal Finance.

You don't need me to tell you that owning a dog costs money. Of course, it's worth every penny to see yours at the door, wagging his or her tail happily as you arrive home exhausted from work. However, a few trips to the vet for yearly vaccinations can leave a gaping hole in your wallet, and while you're happy to spend whatever it takes to keep your pup healthy, you surely wouldn't object to saving a bit of money. Fortunately, we've found a few places you can go for low-cost vaccinations, without risking improper handling and loss of efficacy, or even poisoning, that could come with administering vaccines at home.

Rescue Groups

Many people don't know that humane societies and rescue groups frequently offer monthly vaccination clinics for a fraction of what the vet charges.

Pet Supply Stores

You can also find reduced rates for yearly vaccines (such as rabies and distemper) at pet supply stores or animal feed stores; these businesses will sometimes offer low-cost clinics once or twice per year. Some even offer these low-cost clinics on a monthly basis. Most stores and humane societies only charge the cost of the vaccine being administered, and waive all office fees and charges. Avoiding an office visit can save you $40 to $65, or perhaps even more.

Your Town or City

Another surprising source for cheap vaccinations is your town or city. Some cities sponsor "vaccination days" each year, offering low-cost rabies and other vaccinations to residents. All it takes is a quick phone call to your city government offices to find out if this service is available.

Final Thoughts

During difficult financial times, many people struggle to find the money to keep their pets healthy. If the money can't be found, then sometimes families are forced to put their pets up for adoption, which can be incredibly heartbreaking.

Regardless of your financial situation, it never hurts to save money on dog costs wherever possible, and there are numerous ways to save on your pet's vaccinations. Yes, it takes time to research, but it's definitely worth the effort.

Do you have any other tips to save on vaccines or pet care?

Petside Team

Petside is run by pet lovers just like you, and is here to help you be the best pet parents you…

Filed Under: Health & Home, Medication
Tags: Cats, Dogs, cat vaccination, dog vaccinations, Save Money, vaccinations

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Comments (3)

Meme (Unverified)

Added 07-09-2012 12:51pm

another child who's oarents rfesued vaccines lost their child to measles yes measles there are many things vaccines prevent that are now coming back FULL FORCE because parents are going anti vaccines. There was an out break of whooping cough last year in my daughters school bc more then half of the kids were never vaccinated. Here I was on the phone crying bc my 2 week old baby girl could have been exposed to this. She is ok and we do vaccinate there is talk about doctors are refusing patients bc their arents don't vaccinate I agree with this yes the child should have care so maybe a dr should open a office in a different building for kids like this but to ut our infants who yet can not be vaccinated in danger is not ok. More parents are going "natural" bc of things like autism ( which has since been proven that no it is not linked to autism can find this in pediatric publishing of medicine.) but what is on the rise jumping 210% since 1975 is rubella and polio... Yea polio something parents our age never had to witness and thought was dead... Nope ite nback full force. For ever child diagnosed with autism 3 Are with either measles or polio in north America. In Africa alone every child that has autism there are 250 with polio. I'll take the risks. By the way my son has aspergers and I would 110% still chose vaccinations but that is just me :) Sorry for the long comment lol...Thanks for coming over to mommy2nanny3doggy1.com

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Anonymous (Unverified)

Added 06-20-2012 10:37am

Most low cost vaccine clinics use cheaper vaccines that were approved for use years ago and can cause bad reactions. If that happens you then end up at an emergency clinic paying 20 times more than the cost of vaccines trying to save your pet. I trust my vet to examine my pets and use the best and safest products on them. I love my pets and it is worth it to me to do what is best for them rather than hurt them because I was trying to save a few bucks. You get what you pay for in life and if it sounds too good to be true (i.e. saving $50 or more) it probably isn't true.

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Anonymous (Unverified)

Added 05-22-2012 02:07am

Despite the fact that groomers, kennels and vets all insist that an annual booster is required, the latest research indicates that not all vaccines need an annual booster. Some may in fact harm your pet if given too frequently. Not sure how we can find the "truth" here, but its worth checking out.