How Much Does It Cost to Own a Pet? WISE Empowers 300+ Girl Scouts with Real-World Budgeting Skills

On November 2nd, WISE was proud to once again join forces with the Girl Scouts of Orange County for their annual STEM expo at the Orange County fairgrounds. For the second year, WISE had a table for the workshop “How Much Does It Cost To Own a Pet?” and with an attendance of over 300 Girl Scouts along with their troop leaders and parents, there was a steady flow of interest over picking a budget and managing the several costs of caring for a pet whether that be buying a nice collar to covering medical expenses. 

By picking a budget from a bowl, choosing what kind of dog or cat to “own”, and winning a prize after completing the activity, the workshop appeared as a fun game for the young girls especially for those eager to have a real pet of their own. There were even some girls who were happy to announce that it was their third or so time participating in the activity and continued to be excited about what WISE has to offer. The admiration for the workshop didn’t end with the girls as many parents expressed gratitude over the activity showcasing the costs of taking care of a dog or cat in a child-friendly way. Not only were the girls learning budgeting skills, but were also gaining perspective about responsibility, both financially and generally. While it’s usually the parents managing the finance side of having a pet, girls now know there’s more to it than taking a dog on walks or buying a cat new toys. Luckily, their positive attitude from learning about budgeting and doing the math proves they are taking a step in the right direction. 

As many attendees were eager to learn more about WISE and inquired about bringing the workshop to schools, places of work, or even troop meetings, it won’t be long before “How Much Does It Cost To Own A Pet?” makes even more appearances in the Orange County area as WISE continues to prove it is never “too early” to start learning skills that will enrich your future, both financially and personally.