“People need to shop around for veterinary service,” said Charles Craft, supervising animal-care clerk at Chicago’s Animal Care and Control facility. “If you’re just looking for shots, PetSmart and Petco and others have low-cost offers.”

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Also of note:

Chicago’s Animal Care and Control (312-747-1406) offers low-cost spay/neuter, microchipping and vaccination programs.

PAWS Chicago’s Lurie Spay and Neuter Clinic (pawschicago.org) in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood offers reduced-cost spay and neuter surgery, heartworm testing, vaccinations, virus testing, flea treatment and chipping. Call 773-521-7729 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday through Thursday.

Chicago’s Anti-Cruelty Society (anticruelty.org) has a clinic designed for pet owners whose family income falls below the poverty level. Call 312-644-8338 for details on services and qualification criteria.

PAWS in Tinley Park (pawstinleypark.org, 815-464-7298) has certificates for low-cost spaying and neutering at certain animal hospitals, and the National Animal Welfare Society of the U.S. (nawsus.org) has a Mokena clinic where pet owners can find low-cost spaying/neutering services, vaccines and microchipping. NAWS also goes on the road, offering its services at shelters in the Chicago area. To make an appointment, call 708-478-5102.

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Also nationally, the American Animal Hospital Association has its Helping Pets Fund (aahahelpingpets.org), which provides financial assistance at AAHA-accredited veterinarians for emergency and non-elective care for those in financial distress.

FOOD AND INCIDENTALS

When money’s tight, think about generic pet foods.

“I’m not a proponent of generic pet food generally,” Dale said. “But if it’s (American Feed Control Officials) approved, and 99 percent of what’s on the market is, that’s another way to save money.”

Also, pet shelters receive donations of food that they’ll often pass on to food pantries. So check the shelves of your neighborhood food pantry.

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The Animal Welfare League (animalwelfareleague.com) has its Pet Food Pantry Program. From noon to 3 p.m. on the last Thursday of every month, qualified pet owners can get a month’s worth of free cat and/or dog food at 6224 S. Wabash Ave. Persons looking for help must have a photo ID and proof that they’re over 60 or on Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid or public aid. Call 773-667-0088.