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.