Most local shelters are waiving some of their adoption fees all August as part of the Clear The Shelters initiative, but the costs of owning a pet can add up after you’ve brought your new furry friend home.

Pets can provide unconditional love and loyalty, but they also require more than food and water. Families need to consider the cost of opening their home to an animal.

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Spaying and neutering a pet is part of being a responsible owner. Most animal shelters and rescues will spay and neuter the animals before they are sent home, saving adopters hundreds of dollars, but shots and boosters will be necessary.

“Once you bring that pet home, we want them to get lots of love and care, but they are going to need some training to make sure they can follow the rules, so they can be a good K9 or kitty citizen,” said Tara Lynn with the SPCA of Wake County.

The ASPCA estimates a dog training class can cost at least $110. People who bring home a middle-age or senior pet may not need training.

Vet visits for preventative care are also required each year, and pet owners may also want to consider more expensive pet food with higher nutritional value to help their pet live longer. There is also a cost associated with monthly heartworm and flea prevention.

“A lot of those costs depend on what type of pet that you have. When you have a senior pet, usually the vet likes to do their blood work each year and that can run maybe about $150,” Lynn said.

The ASPCA says the average, basic cost of owning a medium-size dog is $669 a year, while small dogs cost less and larger dogs cost more. In addition to food and basic medical care, you may need to spend money on dog toys, leashes and collars, dental cleanings, treats and pet grooming.

Selecting a short-haired dog can save owners money on grooming, but dogs will still need to get baths and have their nails trimmed. These services can be performed at home or at a groomer.

Dr. Jennifer Federico, animal services director at the Wake County Animal Center, previously warned that families with tight finances may not be in the right place to adopt a pet.

"If you have trouble taking care of a roof over your head and feeding yourself, taking care of your kids, right now may not be the time for a pet for you," she said.

If money, time or lifestyle make pet ownership an impossibility, there are still ways to help out animals in need.