Meet Penny...she was abandoned and found roaming the streets in a terrible state. Luckily she was brought into our hospital where we were able to give her the treatment she needed and as you can see from her second photo, she is now looking much better. Penny is just one of the many abandoned animals we see and not all have a happy ending.

We do not wish to discourage anyone from having pets but we want to inform those considering taking on a new animal as to what may be involved. This may help you to decide whether you really can give the level of commitment needed.

Your time
Dogs in particular require a significant amount of our time, this can be incredibly rewarding as you build a bond with your dog and enjoy their companionship and the reward of their loyalty. For many of us though we already have busy lives with work and family, so is there really time for a dog as well?
All dogs need exercise every day in all weathers. Consider the type of dog best suited to you as some breeds need lots more exercise than others, with working and gundog breeds generally needing more exercise than toy breeds.
It's not just exercise, dogs need mental stimulation to keep them occupied, as well as human company. A bored dog is far more likely to be destructive so leaving your dog for 10 hours a day whilst you're at work and then being cross because it's chewed the sofa isn't really fair. Make sure you will have adequate time for your dog everyday or if not be prepared to use dog walkers/pet sitting services to help you but these will often come at a significant cost.
Cats and rabbits are not as time consuming as dogs but you still need to spend time with them, playing, feeding, cleaning out litter trays/hutches on a regular basis.

Your money
As vets we are often aware that some new pet owners haven't considered the cost of looking after the animal beyond its purchase price. Buying your pet is often the cheapest part and costs don't stop at buying food and bedding. Once you take on a pet you are responsible for its health and welfare and as a result it is likely to cost you a considerable amount of money during its lifetime. Here's a list of some of the things that you should be prepared to pay for:

• Food - the bigger the pet the more food required, consider this before taking on a giant breed dog.

• Vaccinations - Puppies and kittens should have their primary vaccination courses to protect them against life-threatening diseases. These vaccines will need to be repeated every year of their life in order to maintain that immunity. We advise that rabbits be vaccinated for Myxomatosis every year.

• Microchipping - soon to become a legal requirement for dogs, this is a must for responsible pet ownership and would save huge numbers of pets ending up in rescue centres just because their owners couldn't be identified. It's a one-off cost, lasts a lifetime and is quick and simple to insert.

• Worming/flea treatment - regular worming and flea treatment is not only essential to maintain good health in pets but is also an important part of public health. Fleas in the house can be very unpleasant and difficult to eradicate once established, regular flea treatment with a veterinary approved product can prevent flea infestations. Some worms can also pose a health risk to humans, for example Toxocara, a roundworm carried by dogs and cats. Children are especially vulnerable as they are most likely to ingest faeces by accident when playing/crawling around on the floor. Regular worming (at least every 3 months) is therefore essential especially if you have young children in the house.

• Neutering - it is recommended that all cats/dogs not intended for breeding should be neutered. As well as health benefits to the animal this also prevents unwanted litters. Please be aware female cats can become pregnant from a young age, sometimes as early as 5-6 months so always neuter your cat before letting it outside.

• Vet Bills - the majority of pets will require a visit to their vet for illness at some point in their life. We hope it never happens but you should be prepared that your pet may require surgery or treatment for a long term condition which could easily set you back hundreds and in some cases thousands of pounds. Pet insurance is highly recommended to relieve the financial worry in these situations but please be aware you cannot get insurance cover for a condition once it has already started so we encourage everyone to take out insurance when you first get your pet and always read the small print so you know what cover you are getting.

As you can see there is more to pet ownership than just cute and cuddly but it can be incredibly rewarding and give you a friend for life. If you are not sure about whether to take on a pet or would like more advice on pet care or veterinary costs then please give us a call or pop in to see us.

We have branches in Mere Green - Armitage - Burntwood with our main animal hospital at Fosseway Lichfield open 6 days a week where our staff will be more than happy to help.