DIMS SCORE^® Calculator – Pets

There are millions of animals needing rescue. You may want to investigate adopting an older pet that needs a home.

Adopted pets aren't necessarily free. Animal shelters sometimes ask for a donation to cover medical costs such as vaccination.

Shipping costs can be as little as a drive in the family car to the local pet store or shelter, or as large as having to hire a trailor to deliver a larger animal.

Most of these costs are easily discoverable online, or by visiting your local pet store.

Remember, large animals require large and expensive equipment such as grooming tools and tack.

Local veterinarians will happily provide families with a list of initial medical costs, such as mandatory vaccinations, spaying or neutering.

Breed matters. Larger pets eat a lot more than smaller pets!

Collars, leashes, beds, and cages aren't one-time expenses, they wear out and need to be replaced. Fish tanks need water conditioner and fresh filters.

Rabies shots don't last for a lifetime. Tick/ flee/ heartworm treatments represent ongoing costs.

Aging pets can require additional equipment (e.g., ramps) and medicines/ supplements.

Pet medical insurance can help your family pay for future medical emergencies such as your pet breaking a leg.

If you don't buy pet insurance at the beginning of your pet's life, it quickly becomes cost prohibitive.

Can you bathe and groom the pet yourself or will you need professional assistance?

Trimming a pet's nails can be quite tricky, but has to be done.

Many pet owners pay to groom their pet at least once every six weeks!

Every pet is special, and while we wish they could stay forever, it's helpful to think about how long they might be part of our lives.

Be realistic about how your home can accommodate this pet and it's daily need to eat, exercise and eliminate waste!

Good to know.

Do you need to board this pet? For example horses usually have to be boarded at stables. Did you include stable fees when calculating recurring annual costs?

Parents who had dogs/ cats/ birds/ horses when they were young will have both happy memories and an appreciation for how much work a pet can be.

Great. Can they help you anticipate challenges or phantom costs?

OK - so you'll really need to do your homework to make sure your family understands all that is involved in caring for this pet.

Do you have after-school/ sports commitments that might make this difficult on a regular basis?

You’ll want to be fair to your new pet and spend as much time with them as possible.

This is obviously ideal.

So then, what is the plan?

Sometimes even extended familiy members who live nearby will help look after a pet as it lets them enjoy the experience without committing to the full expense themselves.

Great! Making a schedule of who will do what each day of the week will be helpful.

OK then, what is the plan?

Good to know. Make sure to let them know they are part of your pet's caregiving team - even if only for one walk or meal a month.

Families often share caretaking responsibilities. For example, you could feed your neighbour's dog every Thursday and they could walk yours every Monday morning.

This can work well as long as you and your neighbour/ friend clearly communicate when each other needs help.

If there's no one close by who can ever help you out in a pinch, you may have to reconsider if getting this pet makes sense right now.

Best to make sure you ask your parents if it is OK to ask friends and neighbours for occasional help.

Consider scouting out local parks you can safely walk to and from before discussing getting a dog with your parents - they'll appreciate you thinking ahead.

This will take a load off your parent's mind.

You'll want to plan a route everyone can agree is safe.

Fair! Not all pets need daily walks.

Sometimes parents must stay home from work to look after their family. Would you be willing to miss a party or sporting event if your pet was ill and needed you?

Good to know!

Owning a pet is a big responsibility. If there are no circumstances under which you would stay home, your parents may justifiably question your commitment to the pet's wellbeing.

It's fair to answer that it depends upon the circumstances. This shows you would be willing to be part of the solution if necessary.

Is there anything you may have missed? For example, will you need to train your pet? You can go back and add the cost of obedience school if you think your pet might need that.

Your answers will save if you need to go back and add in a new initial or recurring cost.

Great!

Being willing to spend some of your own money is one way to let your parents know how much a pet would mean to you.

This can be a great way to show your parents how much a pet means to you.

This isn't necessarily a deal-breaker for the purchase of a pet.

Getting a pet is unlike purchasing any other type of experience because living animals with daily needs are involved.

Great, your parents will appreciate it. They know bringing a pet home is a big decision that lasts longer than any pair of new shoes or electronics.

Deciding whether to bring a pet home isn't just about cost or appreciation—it's about care, time, space, and the impact on family life. It's a very different conversation than buying new sneakers or a phone.

Here's your chance to explain a relevant piece of information that may not have come up yet.

For example, the benefits of owning a pet, or that you're thinking of a career in animal care.

No time like the present to make sure everyone is "singing from the same song sheet".

OK - you just want to be as prepared as possible when you discuss such a big and long-term decision.