Honestly, I think that whatever it may cost, you should be able to afford before getting a pet. So that'd make my answer: pay whatever it is that needs to be paid. That said, in my current financial position, I don't have enough money to care for a pet. And I wouldn't get one until I had enough. If I was in your position (have pet but hardly enough cash), I don't know what I'd do. I'd probably stick with my original answer. Whatever is best for the pet. My family (parents, siblings) own 2 cats. Both of them are great pets. Though, I completely disagree with how my family went about it. They got the cats for free from a friend, and they only did so because my little sister really wanted a kitten. They are not really financially in a position to care for a pet, but they try their best. I seriously worry about them sometimes. I'd be sad to see the two cats put down. But financially, that might be the only option.
Well the thing, with cats especially, is that if no one takes them they are probably going to be put down right from the start. Where I live there is a huge cat over-population and they put down thousands of pets from the start. I think its morally better to take a pet and put it down if a $5000 medical bill comes up, rather then letting it die from the start. That said I can normally pay for this cat, I make a decent living and don't have a lot of expenses, however rent had just come out as well as my girlfriend's birthday present and a class I'm taking at university. I will be able to pay this bill but its awfully inconvenient and sets me back quite a ways. Now I know people with tons of pets who if a $500 bill comes up for the pet they put it down, that seems ridiculous. You owe it to the pet to within your means keep it safe.
If you care enough about the animal that you decide to take it in and raise/feed/care for it, then you care enough to pay the fees/bills if you are able. That's my opinion on the matter. Why even have the pet then, if you don't care to keep it alive? That's just messed up.Now I know people with tons of pets who if a $500 bill comes up for the pet they put it down, that seems ridiculous. You owe it to the pet to within your means keep it safe.
That's something I've been tackling recently. I used to be the type to value and desire money. More recently I've come to realize that if you don't do anything with it, then it's essentially pointless. And if you aren't using the money, you should spend it on your pets if need be.