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Spring is a popular time to get a new four-legged friend. The weather is nicer, making frequent trips outside more comfortable for both pet and human. 

There's more to picking up a new dog or cat than just having it at home. Taking care of another living being is predictably costly. Here are some of the financial considerations you should make before taking home a new pet.

Fees with the Rescue Organization or Breeder

Usually, a breeder or rescue organization will have an upfront free before you take your new pet home. In both cases, this usually covers some of the vet costs and basic needs of the animals. Breeders have to take care of a new litter for around 8 weeks, which costs time and resources. Some purebreed breeders will be registered with the American Kennel Club, which will add to the cost of your new puppy. Depending on the pedigree, puppies can cost anywhere from $300 to $2,000.

If you rescue a dog from a non-profit, it will likely be cheaper than a breeder, but can still cost hundreds of dollars. A lot of rescues will not adopt pets out without them being spayed or neutered. That procedure is usually factored into an adoption fee, along with their latest round of shots. You may want to see if your local shelter has a "Clear the Shelter" event with reduced or waived adoption fees.

Supplies and Other Recurring Fees

When you have a new pet, you have a new life that is depending on you, and you'll have to budget accordingly. Basic dry dog food can cost between $100 to $300 a year, depending on the size of your pet and their eating habits. That doesn't even count treats and other chew toys to keep them busy.

If you need daycare services for your pet, a full day of daycare could cost between $12 and $28 per day, according to costhelper.com. On demand dog walking apps like Wag and Rover can cost $20 for a half hour walk. If you extrapolate that out over the course of a month, you're looking at hundreds of dollars to keep your pet exercised or watched.

Vet and Health Fees

Of course, pets require health care just like you do, which need to factored into budgets. The American Animal Hospital Association recommends that every dog get a yearly vaccine booster for rabies, distemper, parvo, and adenovirus. You'll also want to make sure they are protected from ticks and fleas.

If you get a puppy, it's generally recommended that they are spayed or neutered. These surgeries at a low-cost clinic or humane society can cost $45 to $135 for a neutering and $50 to $175 for a spaying, which is a more complicated procedure. The ASPCA has an online resource to find low-cost spay/neuter programs that anyone can utilize.

Of course, there could be medical emergencies, so you'll want to make sure you have money in your emergency budget for anything that could happen to your pet.

Choose Consumers Credit Union for Your Banking Needs

Owning a pet can be a lot to keep track of. Consumers Credit Union has a robust mobile app an online banking platform to take care of all your budgeting needs. Contact us today to see how you can get started with a free rewards checking account.