Tips & Ideas for Saving Your Money, Time and Resources – Top Money Saving Ideas for Australians

Get a free dog with all food and medical costs covered. You can get a free puppy by being a Customs and Border Protection puppy carer. You will be responsible for caring and raising the puppy until it reaches 12 months, and all its food and medical costs will be covered by Customs Australia. See website for more information www.customs.gov.au/site/page5652.asp. You may eventually be able to keep your fostered dog as sniffer dogs are frequently skills assessed and ones that fail are given away to good homes for free. You can also become a puppy raiser for Guide Dogs Australia where a 7 week old puppy is provided to your household for raising for 12 -14 months. At the end of this period the dog is tested and if it fails, you may be able to keep the dog, otherwise it graduates and becomes an indispensable sight and companion to a blind person. Having to return a dog that you have raised can be quite emotional though. For more information refer to www.guidedogsvictoria.com.au/puppy-raising.

Buy pet products like food, accessories, clothes, and worm tablets online. Buying online is usually less costly than in a store.
Research different breeds before you acquire your pet. Some breeds require less maintenance, are less problematic during puppy teething, and are less prone to certain sicknesses like hip and skin problems – pet medical bills are very dear. Make sure you do your research to find one that suits your budget and lifestyle. There are many websites with free information on choosing the right pet for you, also books from library.
Visit your local pet shelter. This is an inexpensive way to acquire a pet and save a discarded animal. Alternatively spread word around to family and friends that you are after a pet, and perhaps next time your friend’s pet has a litter you might be offered one for free.

Buy pet food in bulk and buy home brand. There is nothing wrong with generic and home brand pet food and accessories. Dry food can keep for a long time so buy in bulk. For fresh healthy pet food, make your own with fresh ingredients using seasonal produce. Alternatively feed your pets your human meal leftovers, although be wary that not all human food are edible for pets eg. onion and chocolates are harmful to dogs.
Procure a free pet from searching on “free to good home” classifieds. Owners give away pets for free for many reasons. Some are moving overseas or interstate, downsizing their home, having babies and therefore have no time for pets, or children lose interest and parents decide to give it away for free. There tends to be more free giveaways the few months following Christmas when children lose interest in the pets they received as a present. There are many great websites for purchasing and picking up free pets.

Wash your own pet. Don’t go to a commercial washer. Human baby shampoo work just as effectively as more expensive pet shampoos.
Look at supermarket receipt coupons. They frequently have discount vouchers for pet care products and services.
Don’t buy expensive cat and dog toys. For chewing, give your dog an old tennis ball or old skipping rope. Recycle old children’s toys and bedding, for your pets.

Use old shredded newspapers as alternative cat and dog litter and old blankets for pet bedding.
Offer your pet for breeding. If you have a pure bred non de-sexed pet, contact a pet club as some breeders may be prepared to pay good money for breeding their pet with yours.

Take up a short course in dog grooming. In the long run you will save money on grooming costs. You can also take up dog grooming as a hobby and earn extra pocket money on the weekends. Alternatively buy a dog grooming DVD or search for grooming tips on YouTube for free.
Dine with your pet at outdoor venues. Instead of dining at restaurants specially catering for pets and their owners, which tend to over charge for this privilege, dine al fresco at a cafe and have your dog sit on the footpath at your table.

Take out pet insurance. This may or may not save you money, you need to weigh things up.
Network with local pet owners. Instead of paying for a pet sitter or short term pet accommodation, why not make an arrangement with another pet owner in the neighbourhood. You look after their pets when they are on holidays and they look after yours. If you don’t know any pet owners in the neighbourhood, try searching on petworking websites.
Use private independent pet sitters. There are many pet sitting websites with individuals like retirees who advertise themselves. They are typically more economical than commercial sitter businesses or short term pet accommodation centres and your pet receives individual attention too.

For medical treatments, use local animal welfare shelters. Take your pet to your local animal welfare shelter such as RSPCA for vaccinations, and other medical treatments, it is often cheaper than the vet.