» Pets

Adopt a Pet This Holiday Season

Alexandra — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:25:28 +0000

by Alexandra Pauline – December 21, 2011

The Truth About Cats & Dogs

This may be the season of holiday cheer and good will toward men, but what about our furry friends out there looking for a warm and loving home?

More than ever, shelters all over the country are packed with strays and abandoned cats and dogs in need of a good home. And we’ve heard that YOU just might be considering bringing a furry addition into your family? Well, you’re in luck: adopting a shelter animal is the Fab & Fru way to find a cuddly critter – while saving the life of a deserving pet!

Why Adopt?

Choosing to adopt a pet is an affordable and humane alternative to purchasing one from a pet store or breeder. Not only is it far less expensive (usually just the cost of shots and neutering), adoption helps to mitigate pet overpopulation. Aimee Gilbreath, Executive Director of Found Animals Foundation, an L.A.-based animal welfare group said, “More puppies are sold at pet stores during the holidays than any other time of the year. Pet overpopulation is such an epidemic that many retailers are beginning to take notice and make positive changes by severing their ties with substandard backyard breeders and puppy mills, which supply many of these stores.” In fact, many pet stores in cities like New York, don’t sell dogs and cats, but rather work with mobile divisions of local shelters who set up their adoption trucks outside of stores like Petco, and encourage shoppers and passerbys to adopt.

Pet-Proofing Your Home

admin — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:40:05 +0000

By Megan Segura – November 2, 2011

Keep Your Furniture & Floors Looking Like New

I happen to be quite the pet lover. Although I won’t be appearing on Animal Hoarders anytime soon, I have a hard time saying no to any cat or dog that is in need of a home. Full disclosure: I recently even brought an injured baby rat home…

All of this pet friendliness may ensure good Karma, but it tends to wreak expensive havoc on my home if I’m not careful. It seems there are two ways to keep your furniture from looking like it belongs at the dump: discipline or prevention. Since I’m a big softy when it comes to cute and cuddly creatures, I researched some tips to keep paws and teeth off the furniture!

Cat Scratch Fever

I learned pretty early on how important it is for cats to keep their claws, so declawing has never been a consideration for me. I certainly can see why it’s so tempting, though. In the past, my cats have scratched and shredded everything from my sofa and hardwood floors to the big suitcase in my closet.

Instead of stopping a cat from scratching (which is nearly impossible), redirect the behavior. If the sight of those typical cat posts has you running for the hills, try a cat scratcher that is designed to look like wall décor – why didn’t we think of this? Square Cat Habitat sells their version starting at just $30!

If your cat still prefers to sink its claws into your furniture, try placing double-sided tape onto the areas your cat scratches. Felines hate the feeling of something sticky on their paws, and soon enough, they will equate the sensation with your furniture and move on.

Bad Chewing Habits

If you have a puppy on your hands, chances are they have starting teething on your fine leather sofa or shoes. In this case, it is extremely important to keep clutter behind closed doors. Shoes, purses, clothes and kids’ toys should not be left on the ground. Screaming “No!” can only do so much, and a determined dog won’t be able to resist the taste and feel of chewing your belongings.

And if you keep your dog behind a gate, make sure the room he is corralled in is free of any plants and exposed electrical wires. Not only can both end up costing you a lot of money, they can cost your pet the most valuable thing of all – his health!

Before you run out and spend a fortune on the “cutest” chew toys around, take a moment to note what textures or materials your pup seems to most like chew! This will save you oodles of dough – no matter how adorable Little Lamby is, Rover just may not be interested unless there is something similar to shoe leather involved…

Michelle Rivera, owner of Chateau Marmutt, a Los Angeles dog daycare and grooming facility, says many dogs can be steered away from your furniture with a good bone. This doesn’t mean you should throw your dog old steak bones, as these can be a serious choking hazard. Instead, Michelle suggests asking a pet store employee to help you pick out a dog bone that has been popular with past customers. Bully Sticks are a great option, since they’re made from natural rawhide.

Finding Cheap Thrills in a New City

admin — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:27:48 +0000

By Megan Segura – September 14, 2011

New With Nothing to Do

As someone who has moved around a bit, I can tell you that after each relocation I have found myself with a lot of lonely downtime left to fill. Once the stress and excitement dies down, finding some fun, fast – and affordable – ways to enjoy my new town is essential if I’m ever going to acclimate.

Sure, if you have all the money in the world, you can buy your way into a ton of exciting events, but that’s not always the case. Throughout my own travels and experiences, here are some tips that have helped me explore my new digs while keeping me entertained on a budget!

Get Into Your Hobby

Your personal hobby is the key to finding fun. For example, I love movies, so I started following a local film center on Twitter. Through this small act, I was able to find out about a small screening of a movie with a Q & A afterward with its star-studded cast. The best part? It was completely free!

Another idea would be joining a book club or another hobby-related organization. When I lived in Austin (pet-friendly capital of the world), I saw a group of 20 people gathering at a park. Each had a cute little pug in tow. Upon further investigation, I found out they met through a pug owner Meetup group. No matter how specific or absurd your personal interest may be, there is most definitely a group you.

Be A Tourist in Your Own City

It wasn’t until about 5 years after I left my hometown of Dallas, TX that I learned you can take a JFK Assassination Tour. Morbid? Yes. More surprising, however, was that I never knew that sort of thing existed! We tend to get into ruts and complain that we’re bored. So, when you find yourself looking for something to do, look up your city’s tourism sites. You might be surprised to find a cheap, fun activity to do on a Saturday afternoon that will take you to a part of you city you’ve never explored before!

Get Sporty

A couple of years ago in Texas, I joined a co-ed adult softball league. Trust me when I tell you I am not athletic in the least, but I was told it’s more about the drinking and socializing than the actual playing – and they were right! My husband and I just joined up with a team in NYC and have already met some great friends. Again, nobody cares if you can’t play – they’re in it to make friends and have fun, too.

Check Out the Blogs

I, myself, am no expert when it comes to finding amazing entertainment-oriented deals, but since my recent move to NYC, I’m learning fast. I have found that a simple search on Google can actually lead you to the real experts – people who make a living out of searching for fun, free things to do on the weekends. A great example of this is Daily Candy. Their newsletters are great for alerting residents of a new business or local happenings. Also, sign up for Groupon and Living Social. Their daily deals lead you to the new hot spots in town – all at a substantial discount!

What’s your favorite cheap & fun activity?

Save On Pet Food

brandi — Thu, 05 May 2011 20:18:52 +0000

by Brandi Savitt – May , 2011

How to Find the Best Prices & Value

Did you know that 39% of U.S. households have at least one dog, and 33% have at least one cat! That means, according to the 2009-10 survey conducted by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, 72% of all Americans are spending serious cash on feeding their furry friends – and that stat just accounts for dogs and cats!

So, for all you pet owners out there searching for a way to cut what you spend on pet food, here are five Fab & Fru ways to help you save some cash without cutting back on quality!

Choosing the Right Food

All pet owners know that it can costs thousands of dollars a year to keep your dog or cat healthy. And while food is a major part of that expense, it may not be the wisest choice to feed your pet the cheapest, lowest quality food out there just to save money in the short term.

Think about it… If you are what you eat, so are our pets. Therefore, it only makes sense to learn how to read the ingredients list before choosing a brand of pet food, and asking your vet if the food you buy fulfills the nutrients your animal needs keep them healthy and strong. By choosing to spend more up front on a higher quality food, you may save in the long run by making fewer visits to the vet and improving the quality of life & longevity of your pet.

Buy in Bulk

Living in the city, I am constantly running to the pet store or deli for a couple of cans of cat food to tide me over until I can do a bigger shopping on the weekend. While the ability to stop at the store at 11pm is a major convenience, it is also a huge waste of money! Buying pet food in bulk can save you significant dollars. But before you take the time to really stock up, make sure that your pet LIKES the food your buying. As always, the key to buying in bulk is actually using what you buy!

Shopping for Deals at Pet Stores

While shopping at the big box pet stores like PetCo and Pet Smart may be the most convenient choice for you, they may not always offer the best deals in store, and they may not carry the brand you want. Check to see what brands your local pet store carries, and ask them what their deals are if you buy in bulk. One of the perks of supporting local business is to be able to talk with the owner or manager every time you go into the store. Not only can they provide a wealth of personalized information, you can ask them to order the brand you want, and often get a much better deal than at the bigger chains.

The Value of Target & Walmart

If you tend to always buy your pet food at the grocery store, start stocking up during a Target or Walmart trip instead. While neither of these stores typically carry the higher-end brands, their prices are 20% lower than grocery store prices according to the April 2011 issue of ShopSmart magazine!

Budgeting For Pets

brandi — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 20:43:40 +0000

by Brandi Savitt – February 3, 2011

The Costs of Caring for Your Animals

Thinking about getting a pet? Or maybe you already have a furry or feathery friend who you love to spoil? Having pets can be a wonderful experience for both adults and kids, but too often people only consider the amount of time it takes to care for a particular animal, without considering the costs. I was shocked to learn that in a healthy year, I spend about $1,200 on food, supplies, the vet, and kitty sitting for my cats Tide & Angelo! So, before you go out and spontaneously purchase that purebred that you’ve always wanted, make sure you can afford it!

Purchase Price & Adoption Fees

There is an OVERWHELMING number of choices out there when it comes to choosing a pet, and you should really do some serious research and cost consideration before deciding on the type of pet that is right for you and your family. Depending on the rarity of the breed of dog, cat, bird, fish or reptile, the initial cost of bringing your pet home can range from the cost of a $5 gold fish, to thousands of dollars.

Adoption fees for cats & dogs usually range from $75- $200. This typically includes spaying, neutering, de-worming, and often a microchip for dogs. Small animals like rabbits and guinea pigs are much less to adopt, but don’t count them out for budgeting!

The Initial $upply List

Don’t forget about the initial shopping list for supplies! A caged animal can cost as much as $20 a month to care for, and cages themselves can ranges from $30 to several hundred dollars depending on the type of animal and cage you purchase. According to Prevue Pet Products (the oldest bird cage manufacturer in the country), bird cages can range from $30 all the way up to $5,000 (and I would love to meet that posh parakeet)!

Depending on your animal’s needs, you may be surprised just how much it costs to set your new friend up with all the necessities. Between the costs of food, bed, cage, leash, toys, bowls, aquarium – the average first shopping list to bring home a new pet is about $300!

Food

Cats and dogs can cost as much as $2.50 each a day to feed and even more if you feed them premium food. The major pet stores have rewards cards and it’s good to sign up for them because you often get coupons or deals. When a bag is on sale, stock up! Bulk stores like Costco will often carry your brand of pet food for less. If you have a dog who loves to chew you have to factor in bones and rawhide and that’s where things get really expensive. Bones cost $3-$5 each and will only last a couple of days. Guinea pigs are less expensive to feed but they like raw vegetables so you have to keep those on hand, and snakes and reptiles can be some of the most expensive to feed because they need live bait (luckily, they don’t eat everyday).

Customer Service Pays

brandi — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 19:48:19 +0000

by Brandi Savitt – January 20, 2011

Why Zappos Has a Customer for Life

We’ve said it before – spending a little bit more for quality and customer service usually saves you money in to long run. However, many companies forget that it is a competitive market out there, and that customers have a choice where to spend their money. Many of these companies also bank on the fact that consumers would rather spend less now than pay for customer service. While this may be okay for some things, it shouldn’t be the accepted norm. After all, one of the benefits of living in a material world is that we have a CHOICE where to shop!

Here is the Fab & Fru story of our dear friend Kate, and how she learned the value of the customer service, and why she will forever pledge her shoe buying loyalty to Zappos.com!

The $1,800 Pair of Shoes

Last month, a very pregnant Kate was racing around before the holidays, juggling a demanding freelance gig, her adorable toddler Olive, and trying to get it together to fly across the country to visit her in-laws. As you can imagine, things were HECCC-TIC to say the very least, and to make matters worse, their aging love of a dog Dingo was becoming increasingly anxious with all the recent baby changes in the household. So anxious in fact, that he began to paw off the molding around the front door trying to get out of the house when the family was not at home.

In her multitasking effort to get everything done before they left on their trip, Kate started doing all of her shopping online. She, her daughter and her husband all needed new shoes so she logged onto her favorite shoe site: Zappos. Overwhelmed by all the choices, Kate ordered a whopping $1,800 worth of shoes for the family to try on a choose from. Sounds extreme, but Kate had no idea which shoes would fit best, and her plan was for everyone to pick a pair and the rest would be returned. Knowing that Zappos offers free shipping, and that they have a great return policy, Kate knew she would be able to return the unchosen shoes for a full refund. Until…

Pick ‘em Out, Pack ‘em Up

Kate, Jack and Olive’s home shoe shopping experience proved a success. They all found new shoes that they loved, and Kate packed up the returns in the huge box they came in, and left it near the front door for Jack to drop off at UPS. As the last one to leave the house that day, Jack had the brilliant idea to try and use the giant box to shield the door from the wrath of Dingo. The logic being: if Dingo couldn’t see the door, then maybe he wouldn’t try to escape… OOPS!

Hello Dingo

While everyone was at work, Dingo went nuts. He shredded the giant box into dust and then continued to tear apart EVERY shoe box inside. When Kate opened the door that evening, she completely lost it. Pregnant, tired and overwhelmed by what she saw – she rightfully busted into tears! Dingo was no longer the anxiety ridden pooch that they all adored. He had become a live-in canine terrorist!

The Pet & The Vet

Steph — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:33:52 +0000

I was talking with my friend Tammy the other day about my Maltese, Snowy, and the extremely expensive knee surgery she just had. Tammy mentioned that her dog had recently had surgery on her leg as well, and that a few days after the operation her pooch, Precious, somehow removed her cone and tore the bandages right off, damaging the stitches and re-opening the wound!

In addition to the $200 bill for re-stitching the wound, the vet wanted to run an extra $200 worth of x-rays – just to make sure Precious didn’t undo any benefits of the recent surgery. Having just spent $1,500 on her dog’s surgery, Tammy told the vet to forgo the x-rays — and she’d wait and see if any problems developed. She was pretty sure Precious had only disturbed the stitches, and not any of the internal work. Of course Tammy isn’t a vet, but that was just her gut feeling…

Obviously in a few weeks Tammy will know if her furry friend is okay or not …. The doctor said if she was still limping in a month to bring her back for further examination (including those x-rays)! And though the doctor said it was up to Tammy whether to do the x-rays or not, it would certainly be the most thorough – and pricey – thing to do.

So, what’s (wo) man’s best friend worth? Is Tammy wrong not to have gone through with the x-rays, or is okay for her to trust her gut? Was her decision frugal, or just doggone cheap?

The Expense of Elderly Pets

Steph — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 03:22:38 +0000

by Stephanie Berenbaum – April 15, 2010

Our Pug Pico: Worth Every Penny!

Our pug Pico turns 16 today! Happy birthday to my furry friend – a true gentleman, a loyal companion and the elder statesman of Pugs.

As Pico has gotten up there in years (isn’t 16 the human equivalent of 112?), so have his medical expenses. Of course, he is worth every penny. Though I am usually one to think through expenditures carefully, anything having to do with Pico is the exception to this rule. When I took him to the vet a couple months ago, they basically told me we could do a few hundred dollars worth of diagnostic tests, or just wait and see. After all (they said gently), he has already outlived the average pug life expectancy of 13-15 years. Without batting an eye I plunked down my credit card and told them to do any and all tests necessary for my Pico, and I don’t regret it one bit. -He’s fine, by the way. Very old, but ‘perfectly fine’.

While it is impossible to put a price tag on your pet’s health, the reality is that pet expenses can be exorbitant – especially as your pet ages and major problems arise. So what’s a pet owner to do? I spoke with my vet and sniffed around to see what resources are out there:

Pet Insurance

My vet said they absolutely recommend this for owners of aging pets. There are many companies out there, but VPI has been doing it the longest. I spoke with VPI, and they said they will ISSUE policies on pets up to 10 years old (don’t worry the policy will cover your pet as it ages, they just wont issue a new policy past age 10) . Depending on the age and health of your pet, monthly costs for insurance may vary. However, in the long run, having pet insurance could end up saving you thousands of dollars. If your pet is getting up there, consider taking out a policy.

Local Resources

Most cities publish monthly publications (here in LA it’s called “Pet Press”) that are distributed to vet offices. In them they have listings for shelters, rescues, breed-specific organizations and mobile vets who may be able to provide you with discounted services.

Work with Your Vet

If you are concerned about finances, consulting your vet – who knows you and loves your pet – is the best place to start when figuring out how to afford mounting costs. If they know you, they will likely be willing to work out a payment plan. Or you even may be able to help out around the office in exchange for discounted or free services!

Care Credit

My vet also told me about a resource called Care Credit - they offer a veterinary low interest credit card. Check out the site to see what they can offer you. You know how we feel about racking up credit card debt, so I would say first try to work out a payment plan with your vet before resorting to credit.

Veterinary Schools

The American Veterinary Medical Association website and veterinaryschools.com have listings nationwide of vet schools that also may be able to provide you with discounted services.

The Humane Society website provides a treasure trove of information along with many helpful links.

The bottom line is that owning a pet is a major financial commitment – and not one that is expendable, like eating out! With major procedures easily costing thousands of dollars, you really need to approach pet health care costs the same as you would your own – namely with a mix of insurance and savings.

I am happy to report my faithful 16 year old pug is sitting at my feet as I write this – and I can’t wait to give him his happy birthday hamburger tonight!

Puppy Love To The Rescue

admin — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 17:30:17 +0000

A ‘Trew Tail’ of a Doggie Adoption

by Brandi Savitt– February 10, 2010

Did you know that February is ‘Responsible Pet Owner Month?’ Find out more about how YOU can be a more responsible pet owner and spread the word!

My friend Mary has spent her entire career signing rock stars to record labels. However, fourteen years ago when she began training her beloved ‘New’ Yorkie, Gidget (of Sex And The City fame) to do tricks on camera, she realized that her talent for spotting a super star extended way beyond her knowing a hit song when she heard it! Mary had the ability to sense pure animal magnetism – even in the tiniest of critters.

Raised in rural, upstate New York, Mary has always been an animal lover. However, at the time she purchased Gidget – for over $800 – from a pet store in New York City, she was unaware of how many abandon dogs were in need a home and in danger of being euthanized.

Over the years Mary’s passion for animals has made her an activist and a huge proponent of ANIMAL RESCUE! Her latest quest to find a companion for Gidget led her down the very Fab & Fru path of adopting Trew – 38 pounds of furry love and the next Gormley super star!

Adopting a Dog

Unless you are planning on training a pure bred to win Best in Show, we strongly recommend considering saving a puppy or an older dog from a rescue center or animal shelter. Instead of spending potentially hundreds to thousands of dollars buying a dog from a pet store, for the cost of reimbursing the shelter for basic medical care and boarding ($75-$250), you can adopt the perfect pet instead!

Petfinder.com

Petfinder is an amazing online resource created to increase public awareness of the availability of high-quality adoptable pets - from puppies to piglets! Petfinder aims to increase the effectiveness of pet adoption programs, therefore eliminating the euthanasia of adoptable pets. They allow users to search their database of 12,500 animal shelters and adoption organizations across the USA, Canada and Mexico. Organizations maintain their own home pages and available pet database. This means that you can locate shelters close to you, as well as broadening your search for the pet of your dreams nation wide!

If you choose to adopt a pet from out of state, many organizations on Petfinder will also help you arrange transportation for the animal –sometimes even helping to cover any associated costs.

The Cost of Holiday Pet Care & Travel

admin — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:26:48 +0000

Make a Fab & Fru Plan for Your Furry Friends

by Andrea Moya– November 9, 2009

Own a pet? Planning on traveling this holiday season? If you’re anything like us, then the answers are yes and yes.

While you’re busy budgeting for gift buying and celebrating with friends and family (and yes, you should be budgeting for all this!) don’t forget to set aside the extra funds you’ll need to properly care for your pet! Professional pet care and travelling with your pet are both unavoidably pricey. Sorry. And during the holidays it’s much harder to find a trusted neighbor or friend to care for your cat or dog, leaving most of us forced to turn to the expensive alternatives. But don’t panic! Whenever there is no purely frugal answer to a financial dilemma, the Fab & Fru thing to do is: PLAN FOR IT. Budget now so you’re not stuck with a hefty bill later!

Friends & Neighbors

If you’re lucky enough to have a trusted friend or neighbor in town to watch your cat or dog, make sure to budget for a thank you gift! Caring for your friend’s pet is a kind gesture, but let’s face it – it’s an inconvenience – no matter how cute little Fluffy is. Make sure you show your appreciation with something that you know they’ll enjoy.

Cat Sitters: $15-$35 per day

If you need to hire a professional kitty sitting service, now is the time to plan for the expense and book your time.

When hiring a sitter:

Get referrals from your friends first.
Ask your Vet
Check listings at the National Association of Professional Petsitters (NAPPS) or Pet Sitters International (PSI).
Interview the sitter, ask for references and have the sitter meet your pet before you hire them.
Specify any special services you require like if your pet needs medication or if you would rather they stayed overnight. These services will be extra.
Keep in mind you will also need to leave enough food, litter or waste bags, treats, toys, and anything else your pet needs.

Sitters also bring in your mail and take out trash if necessary, which is a nice plus. Most of the sitters I found ranged from $15 to $35 per visit.

Dog Sitters

If you live in a city and have a pooch, you most likely have hired a dog walker at some point in time. Perhaps they are available to help sit over the holidays – if not…