My family had this dog for over 4 yrs and now Im worried.

anewfoundsin

sorry. 5 yrs not 4.
I just found out my parents had this small dog for about 5 yrs and has not had a shot or checkup since the first time they got the dog or for at least 4 1/2 yrs. I asked my parents why not, they said the dog has never gotten sick. they got it since it was a baby from someone at the supermarket. Well the dog Just stays outside and protects the house. its a mix terrier and chiuwah-wah? Anyhow we live in CA and I think i heard all dogs must be registered so now im worred we need to register this dog? more importantly how much?? My parents dont want the dog no more and i want to keep it but im not makin that much $$ at least not yet. its a cute strong dog but i want to make sure cuz i want to be penalized and i know my parents arent gonna pay anything! also if i keep the dog, i will have to get all the checkups (that will be a lot $$ huh?)
thanks everyone

wishbone

I think you are going to spend more and be ready. In Toronto, failure to license your cat or dog each year may result in a $240.00 ticket.

gingersmom

Registering our dog (we are in CA too) required a certificate from a vet saying she had been vaccinated for rabies. If you can find the local humane society, they can probably tell you the most affordable place to get a rabies vaccine. The license itself was only $12 for one year (though it varies from city to city -- the place where we are moving next, it's $15, but half off if the vet also says your dog is spayed or neutered).

I hope you can adopt the dog from your parents. Taking it to the vet once a year will not cost that much. Bringing the dog into your home (instead of keeping it outside all the time) will give it a much better life.

Please keep coming back to this website to ask any other questions you have!

Willowy

I might not cost too much, although I don't know what licensing laws are like in CA. A ticket for NOT getting all the proper licenses would cost a lot more.

Around here, a checkup is about $20, and vaccines are about $20 each. So a checkup, a distemper combo vaccine, and a Rabies vaccine would be around $60. De-worming would also be a good idea, that shouldn't be more than $5 or $10 added on. If it's a female, she should definitely be spayed, which can be expensive. But you can find low-cost clinics to help with the cost. A male should be neutered, too, but it's not as immediately necessary as spaying a female. If you ask around, you should be able to find a low-cost vaccination/licensing clinic----larger cities have way more available for low-income dog owners. Call your local Humane Society/SPCA and ask them what to do, they should be a big help.

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