Low Cost Pet Vaccines and Spay/Neutering in Atlanta

Hi guys! If you follow me on Instagram you know that I found a dog (again) on the side of a busy highway a few weeks ago. After I had no luck finding his owner I knew that he needed to be neutered and vaccinated in order to be around my dogs while I fostered him. Spoiler alert, I’m a foster fail, we are keeping him, and I named him Franklin - haha! Anyways, as you can imagine a new dog was quite the unexpected cost and I set out to give him everything he needed as inexpensively as I could.

As you know, owning a pet is a HUGE responsibility and pretty dang expensive so I’m going to list the places that offer low cost vaccinations and spay/neutering in the Atlanta area. I’ve also listed a few moderately priced places because the super low cost places are booked a month+ out because of Covid-19.

P.S. My public service announcement for today is to remind you to always give your pet heartworm preventative medication! After finding Loki in a parking lot a few years ago, we found out the day of his neutering that he was heartworm positive. Heartworm disease is spread through the bite of a mosquito and can result in lung disease, heart failure, organ damage, and death if untreated. Heartworm disease treatment is VERY expensive, the animals can’t play/get their heart rate up for months, and the injections are painful. Be a good pet owner and GIVE YOUR ANIMALS HEART WORM PREVENTATIVE MEDICATION, PLEASE! Ok, back to my post…

Here is a list of low cost and moderately priced places that offer vaccinations, spay/neutering, and additional vet services in the Metro Atlanta area:

I am not directly affiliated with these programs, just listing them to help out. Please contact the respective programs directly for more information.

1. Planned Pethood in Duluth, GA offers low cost vet care including a vaccine clinic (click for pricing) and spay/neutering clinic (click for pricing). This is where I took Loki to be neutered and vaccinated. (Spay/Neuter $70-$110 dogs and $35-$60 for cats, price includes pain meds/cone is $10) (Vaccines/testing $10-$25/each) (Microchipping $25). Check their website for a complete list of pricing and services.

2. My Kids Have Paws in Dalton, GA offers low cost vet care including a vet & vaccine clinic (click for pricing) and spay/neutering clinic (click for pricing). Spay/neutering cost includes pain meds, nail trim, and cone which is amazing! They also have unbelievably low cost vaccines, microchipping, and preventative tests. They also offer an array of surgical services including dental cleaning, amputation, mass removal, and more. (Spay/Neuter $70-$110 and $35-$55 for cats, price includes pain meds, cone, & nail trim) (Vaccines/testing $10-$25/each) (Microchipping $10). Check their website for a complete list of pricing and services.

3. Atlanta Humane Society Clinic in Atlanta, GA offers low cost vet care including a vet & vaccine clinic (click for pricing) and a spay/neutering clinic (click for pricing). Spay/neutering cost includes free microchip, pain meds, and cone which is amazing! Additional vet services include annual physicals, vaccines, testing, prescriptions, nail trims, microchip, dental services, heart worm care, surgery, and more. This is where I took Franklin for his vaccines, heart worm test, fecal test, and purchased his heart work medication. (Spay/Neuter $100 for dogs and $60 for cats, price includes free microchip, pain meds, and cone) (Vaccines $20/each) (Microchipping $20). Check their website for a complete list of pricing and services.

4. Lifeline Animal in Atlanta, GA offers low cost vet care including a vet clinic (click for pricing), spay/neutering clinic (click for pricing), and low cost vaccine wellness days (click for pricing). If getting spay/neutering you can add vaccines, microchip, tests, and treatments the same day. If you only need vaccines, you must go to one of their wellness days. (Spay/Neuter $70-$95 for dogs and $25-$60 for cats; pain meds are $8-$15, unsure if cone is included) (Vaccines $10/each during spay/neutering and $40+ package pricing on wellness days) (Microchipping $25). Check their website for a complete list of pricing and services.

5. H.E.L.P. Spay/Neuter Clinic in Newnan, GA offers a low cost spay/neutering clinic (click for pricing) with the option to add low cost vaccines, microchipping, nail trim, heartworm testing, and deworming at the time of surgery. (Spay/Neuter $80-$125 for dogs and $45-$60 for cats; unsure if price includes meds/cone) (Vaccines/test $13-$20/each during spay/neutering) (Microchipping $25). Check their website for a complete list of pricing and services.

6. The Animal Project in Ball Ground, GA offers a low cost spay/neuter clinic (click for pricing) with the option to add additional services the day of surgery like microchipping, vaccines, dewormer, flea preventative, and heartworm testing. (Spay/Neuter $80-$105 for dogs and $55-$65 for cats, price includes rabies vaccine, nail trim & pain meds. Cone is $10.) (Vaccines/test $10-$20/each during spay/neutering) (Microchipping $25). Check their website for a complete list of pricing and services.

7. Paradox Spay/Neuter in Loganville, GA offers a low cost spay/neuter clinic (click for pricing) with the option to add additional services the day of surgery OR by separate appointment. (Spay/Neuter $60-$80 for dogs and $35-$55 for cats, price includes pain meds. Cone is $12-$16) (Vaccines $17/each) (Microchipping $25). Check their website for a complete list of pricing and services.

8. Value Vet in Lawrenceville, GA and Tucker, GA offers moderately priced vaccines (click for pricing) and low+ cost spay/neutering (pricing not on website). Their website doesn’t list their spay/neutering pricing, but in June 2020 I was quoted $115 for a 50+lbs dog and the price includes pain meds. Come is $15. Check their website for services and call for pricing.

9. Pet Vet in Cumming, GA offers low/moderately priced spay/neutering (click for pricing), and vaccine packages (click for pricing). They aren’t as inexpensive as the first few places I listed, but worth checking out. Some of their services are a good price (like their annual vaccine package) and some are a little high, like microchipping for $50 is a lot in my opinion), but their website is completely transparent for pricing so it’s worth checking out if you can’t get a timely appt elsewhere. (Spay/Neuter $80-$100 for dogs and $50-$60 for cats, unsure if cost includes pain meds/cone.) (Vaccines/testing packages $65 for puppy/kitten, $125 for adult dog, and $100 for adult cat) (Microchipping $50). Check their website for a complete list of pricing and services.

10. Thrive Affordable Pet Care has multiple locations and offers low/moderately priced vaccine packages (click for pricing). Their spay/neutering is VERY expensive so I recommend going elsewhere for that. (Spay/Neuter is not low cost, but I wanted to put it for reference: $275-$335 for dogs and $220-$230 for cats) (Vaccines/test packages $59-$99, this works out to be about. $16-$20 each) (Microchipping $35). Check their website for a complete list of services and call for pricing.

11. Wellpet Humane in Doraville, GA offers moderately+ priced vet services, spay/neutering, vaccines, prescriptions, dental care, surgery, and more. They aren’t as inexpensive as some of the others, but you can get in quickly and it’s still reasonably priced especially if you do a package instead of single services. They don’t list their pricing on their website, but this is where I took Loki for heartworm treatment when we first found him. Side note, check with the Atlanta Humane Society clinic because I just found out that they do heartworm treatment as well and I would assume they are less expensive than Wellpet, but call to confirm. Sometimes the wait for them to answer the phone is long, but they are always happy to answer any questions you have and are fully transparent about their pricing. (In June 2020, I was quoted $184 for neutering a 50+lbs dog and that includes the office exam, cone and medicine. They will waive the office exam if you get vaccines done through them prior. I was also quoted $209 for exam, heartworm test, fecal test, rabies, distemper, bordetella, lepto, and influenza. Their packages are better value for money than single services. Check their website for a complete list of services and call for pricing.

12. Shepherd Animal Hospital in Duluth, GA offers moderately priced vet services. They waived my $39 exam fee because Planned Pethood recommended me which was nice. They do not list their pricing on their website, but are great if you call and ask. (This is what I was quoted for Franklin in June 2020: Vaccines are $19/each for some, but others are $21 and $32. Fecal testing is $36 and heartworm testing is $39. Neutering for a 50+lbs dog is $124, $25 for medicine, and $15 for cone). Note: the day I came in for surgery they said I had to have an influenza vaccine which had I known I would got it when I was at the ATL humane clinic for $20 and Shepherd wanted to charge me $32 for the same vaccine. They did waive that requirement after I mentioned that no one told me this information prior. Check their website for a complete list of services and call for pricing.

13. Spay Georgia provides low-cost spay/neuter certificates (click here) at an affordable price.

The following places may be closed currently due to COVID-19:

14. VIP Pet Care is a moderately+ priced clinic offering an array of services. Their individual vaccinations are pretty expensive honestly, but they are low cost for things like microchipping and vaccine packages. See their pricing here. Services include vaccinations, testing, bloodwork, microchip, nail trim, deworming, tapeworm treatment, anal glad expression, ear care, skin care, eye care, urinary care, GI care, and physical exams.

15. Paw Atlanta in Decatur, GA offers low cost vaccination packages every other Sunday (click for pricing). Their individual vaccine ($25-$35/each) and microchip ($30) pricing is pretty expensive, but the packages are low cost.

If you have any other suggestions or know of any updates that I should make to keep the post up to date, please leave it in the comments below. The more resources people have, the better! Let’s help other pet parents out!

Make Your Wedding Uniquely Yours

My biggest piece of advice (besides hire a wedding planner) is to make your wedding yours! If you want to ditch a tradition, or all of them for that matter, do it! For example - I definitely got some looks when I told a few people that we decided to do online RSVP’s, but I’m SO glad we did it! It kept count for me, saved on paper and postage, and encouraged everyone to look at the wedding website I spent so long on - haha. If you followed my wedding journey you’ll know that I DIY’d A LOT and that alone gave my wedding a ton of personal touches, but we didn’t stop there!

All of my vendors and links are at the bottom of this post.

Style

Pick the look that reflects YOU! I opted for a strapless dress and paired it with some big awesome earrings that I ordered from an etsy seller based in India. I didn’t go with a veil, I decided to wear my dress the whole time instead of changing into a dancing dress, I added a custom faux leather jacket at night, and I changed from my sparkly heels into wedged sneakers for comfort after the ceremony. My makeup was very glam and featured glitter on my eyes, big lashes, and a red lip. My hair fell IMMEDIATELY because of the humid rainy weather, but I opted for a sparkly hair piece, wavy hair (rip, lol), and extensions for a fuller and longer look. Zach chose a paisley tux jacket and he and all of his guys wore skeleton Grateful Dead socks as a nod to Zach’s favorite band and the fact that we were getting married the weekend before Halloween.

Ceremony

The focal point of our ceremony as you walked in was the beautiful geometric arch that Zach’s dad made for us. It started with a Pinterest photo that I showed him, and he created my vision perfectly. Zach and I will be using it in some way in our new house that is currently being built (ahh so cool!). During the ceremony we each stood by 5 girls and 5 guys, I had two maids of honor and Zach didn’t choose a best man because he didn’t want to rate his friends, haha. Zach and I laid out our ceremony word for word with the help of our officiant. My biggest request to Zach was that our vows be personal and that we read them out loud (don’t forget to hire a DJ that will mic you so that your guests can hear you). We decided on five individual vows that started with “I promise” where we swapped back and forth with personal banter that was secret to each other until that moment, and ended on “I promise to always be your best friend” and “I promise to always be your best friend, too.” Our ceremony also included a rose ceremony that thanked our parents and ended with us presenting a rose to each of them. The venue also featured several of the signs that I DIY’d including welcome, seating chart, order of events, drink menu and more.

Reception

We knew we wanted time for photos after the ceremony so we entertained our guests with a cocktail hour complete with a digital photobooth featuring a DIY where we made big heads of our dogs Sweetpea and Loki to use as props, passed hors d'oeuvres that included options for everyones dietary needs (a big reflection of Zach since he is vegan), alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks with custom '“Drunk in Love” koozies, and a playlist that Zach made himself! (We would have also had cornhole had it not rained). Our guest tables were lined with floating candles that I sourced and planned, numbered with another simple DIY that Zach and I did with dried flowers, and each table had crayons and a coloring sheet of our dogs Sweetpea and Loki that I had custom made by an illustrator on Etsy. We did our grand entrance to “Beastie Boys - Fight for Your Right to Party” where I debuted my custom leather jacket that I DIY’d days before the wedding with my new last name on the back - it was awesome! Zach also created another playlist for dinner where we snuck away to the greenhouse on the property and had a private dinner with just the two of us featuring a gorgeous table setting from Prissy Plate Company and Stem’s Atlanta. I highly recommend doing this! It was quiet, we talked, enjoyed the food, and could hear Zach’s playlist in the distance - so magical. Speaking of food, we hired a caterer that knew how to make delicious vegan food! We opted for a few non-vegan options, too - but really made a point to create a buffet that reflected our personal tastes. When it was time to cut the cake, we chose five cupcake flavors (2 vegan options and 3 non-vegan options) that sat under another smaller arch also built by Zach’s dad. Besides the formal dances, we chose to only play upbeat music for the entire night complete with bubble guns on the dance floor and my bridesmaids surprising me with hilarious animal heads. We ended our night with a sparkler send off and “pretended” to leave in one of Zach’s dads old cars (we hired a car to actually take us home though as we had been drinking).

What personal touches did you add/want to add to your wedding? Leave them in the comments below :)

My Dress: Wedding Angels in Roswell, GA (if you get alterations make sure you request Karan)
Zachs Suit: Savvi Formalwear
Bridesmaids Dresses: Etsy
Groomsmen Grateful Dead Socks: Stance via Amazon
My Earrings: Etsy
My Ceremony Heels: Asos
My Reception Wedge Sneakers: Bebe Hi-Tops
Hair: My Hair: (Maxine from Arrow Salon) + Bridesmaids and Mothers Hair: Meg Me Beautiful
Makeup: Meg Me Beautiful
Hair Extensions: Laced Hair
Bouquet and Arch flowers: Venue’s personal florist
Formal Place Settings: Prissy Plate Company
Private Dinner Flowers: Heather with Stem’s Atlanta
Hand Lettered Place Cards and Tiles: Haley at Wilde Flower Paper Co
Pampas Grass: Sourced from Cut Flower Wholesale in Atlanta, GA
Venue: West Milford Farm in Cumming, GA
Photographer: Diamond Eyes
Photobooth: Smilebooth
Videographer: LT Photo + Film
Illustrator for coloring page: Etsy
Custom Koozies: Etsy
Catering: Penni with Flavorful Events
Cupcakes: Splat

Let's talk periods. Yep - the topic you don't discuss.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Tampax/Always. The opinions and text are all mine.

I got mine in the summer of 6th grade. I was in another state visiting family for the whole summer when it hit. I remember being embarrassed trying to figure out how to get my mom to come to the bathroom without telling the entire house full of people what was going on. She gave me some gigantic pad that felt like a diaper and I spent the summer without my best friend which meant talking to no one about it. Later on I tried tampons, and I remember sitting in the bathroom reading the instructions as thorough as I could. Yeah, that little sheet of paper saved the day (after what felt like an hour of trying). Once I got used to them, tampons are what I stuck with. It's been my preference through beach days, workouts, and everyday life. It just so happens that Tampax is what I've used from the get go. Look, when my period hits I want to be as comfortable as possible and that means easy protection (that doesn't contain chlorine bleach or BPA - phew) and maybe a nap and definitely some chocolate. Oh, and best part of it alll - I went to a strict uniform wearing private school, and once you got your period, you were allowed to wear a purse which was a BIG deal for us eleven year olds. Oh heyyyyy!

If you need to stock up on Tampax tampons check out your local Sam's Club or samsclub.com to get $2 off in Instant Savings for a limited time. A big pack means you'll always be prepared for any surprises that might pop up, plus, you know you'll use them. 

How was your experience? Did you also get to start wearing purses? haha!

Growing food indoors with Miracle-Gro

*This post is sponsored by Miracle-Gro but all opinions and obsessions are my own. :)

Hey guys! Today I’m going to show you how we have been growing kale inside of our living room for the past month with the Miracle-Gro Twelve Indoor Growing System. You’re going to see how we started with four tiny seedlings (pictured above) and in four weeks how they have EXPLODED with growth! We already use Miracle-Gro soil for our house plants so it was a no brainer to give the indoor growing system a try. Spoiler alert, we are obsessed!

The Miracle-Gro Twelve Indoor Growing System allows you to grow fresh food year round. It’s a hydroponic based system which means the plants actually grow in water allowing them to grow faster than plants grown in soil. Growing our own food is perfect for us since we cook from home several times a week and because Zach is vegan, leafy greens are a big hit in our house. You can grow arugula, kale, swiss chard, leaf lettuce, mustard greens, parsley, cilantro, mint, basil, oregano, dill and sage - yum!

Putting the unit together is super easy and took less than 15 minutes. The box comes with everything you need and includes a book with step by step directions. You can either grow from a seed, a seedling (like we did!) or from a plant that’s already been started for you, like a Bonnie Plant you can pick up from the store. You just add the plant nutrition directly to the water and it’s good to go for four weeks. The most convenient part of all is the app. It allows you to change the light schedule (ours is 6am-8pm), reminds you when it’s time to add more plant food, tells you the water level and the light will gently blink on the unit if you need more water, and it tells you what date you can start harvesting.

Step 1 : Fill with water.

The day we started the system.

Step 2: Add plants. Step 3: Add plant food.

3 weeks later.

Not only are you growing food inside of your house, but the unit also doubles as furniture. Another option would be to purchase the stacking kit which lets you put two growing system on top of one another so you can grow even more! What would you grow in your Miracle-Gro Twelve Indoor Growing system?

We got a new mattress and it's kind of a big deal

Disclaimer: OK look, I had finished this post and was talking to Zach and told him that I felt like people are going to look at this post and be like, "ok cool you got a new mattress." I need you to understand just how much we love it when you see the below write-up and photos. 

We got a new mattress and I don't think we have ever loved a product more. I honestly had no clue what to expect with a mattress like this. I have seen bed in a box mattresses all over the internet but had no clue how to choose. Since this one was risk free I said yes when approached about it. We had been sleeping on an old traditional mattress prior and complained constantly about how much it sucked. The idea to upgrade was tossed around quite a bit this year so this Real Sleep by Real Simple mattress opportunity came at a perfect time.

First, let me just remind you that I don't post about things I don't actually love and I certainly don't make entire blog posts about things I don't absolutely love. I am incredibly grateful that Real Simple offered this to me and it has worked out perfectly. When I say we love it, I mean we LOVEEEE IT! 

$50 Amazon Gift Card with any purchase. Use code RSGIFT50 (ends 6.30)

The video above shows Zach using the razor it comes with to release the mattress from the plastic, us laying on it for the first time, and Zach twerking - haha.

Here are a few facts about the Real Sleep by Real Simple mattress from the website and then I'll list my own comments below:

• 10-inch thick medium-firm memory foam mattress.

• Medium-firm

• Controls temperature and maximizes air flow so you never get hot.

• Supports your entire body for a truly restorative rest.

• 100% Organic Cotton Cover; easy to clean.

• 10 Year Warranty.

• 100 Night risk free trial with free shipping and free returns.
  
  What I noticed:

• It's not bouncy so we never disturb each other.

• As soon as we put it down Loki jumped up on it with dirty paws so I was instantly annoyed, but also thankful for the removable cover.

• A king size mattress means more room for the doggos.

• Since we now have a king that gives us so much extra sleeping space we call our respective sides of the bed our "island." My island is "Dog Island" and Zach's island is called "No Girls Allowed" aka stay on your side.

Zach sent me the above text message one night while I was downstairs editing and he had already went upstairs to go to bed. I knew I had to show it so I saved it for this post. 

In conclusion, please ignore how grumpy Loki is. Zach warned me during this little shoot that he had a stink face on the entire time. Also, incase anyone asks, my mom made the blanket and pillows. Lastly, thanks again to Real Sleep by Real Simple for sending this to us!

$50 Amazon Gift Card with any purchase. Use code RSGIFT50 (ends 6.30)

2017 IN REVIEW

I must admit two things. First, this post is admittedly more for me to have on record, and secondly it's very late seeing how we are already 18 days in to 2018. To be fair, I started off the year with a stomach bug, got better-ish for a few days and then instantly hit with the flu that took me out for almost a week. If you ask me, 2018 doesn't start until February because that was one rough start. However, I did a survey on IG stories and had an overwhelming response that my audience loves athleisure posts so if reading my recap for 2017 doesn't do it for you, just enjoy this outfit that I got online at Largo Drive from the brand Splits 59. 

I'm wearing this top and these bottoms. 

Here is a list I made on the plane one day. In the future I'd like to keep up with what I do as it happens so I don't have to recall it from memory. I also linked a lot, but not everything.

What I’ve accomplished or moments I want to remember:
Flywheel Social Media Award
Signed with Redbull
Specialized Ambassador
My "standing theme" at Flywheel kicked off as one of the top themes in the nation
Became an aunt!!
Epic Dual ride with Carlee

Where I’ve traveled
NYC in January with Exploring Paths
NYC in the Summer with Exploring Paths
NYC with Flywheel
LA with Redbull for the Fitness Summit
Bonnaroo with Redbull to participate in the Big Freedia "Twerk-Out Workout"
Texas with Redbull for Last Stand
San Jose, California for the Specialized Women's Summit
Pensacola, Florida to see family
Sunset, Florida to run Wings for Life
Snowshoe Mountain to learn how to downhill mountain bike
Stay in ATL with Redbull for Culture Clash

Goals I've completed:
- Participated in my first Warrior Dash
- Longest run to date at Wings For Life
- Only traveling with a carry on - yes, I made a goal to only travel with a carry-on and did it! The only time I had to check a bag was when I brought the kids at Exploring Paths goodies!
- Got my very first mountain bike
- First downhill mtb experience
- December ab challenge - not the biggest success of my life, but it was a decent attempt (lolz)
- In 2016 I found a dog and decided to keep in. He ended up having heartworms so he was crated during recovery. In 2017 when he got better I spent 6 months in training with him. Something I highly recommend doing!

Brands I’ve worked with or who have supported me:
I’m very proud and selective of who I collaborate with. I always want my audience to only be exposed to products that I actually use and brands that I love.

Redbull
Specialized
Flywheel
Michelob ultra x Flywheel
Tarte (technically this was the very end of 2016) but how cool?!
Largo drive
Levi’s
Oakley
Freshly
Cryology
Headspace
Exploring Paths
BoltHouse Farms
Terez and Terez x Star Wars
GoldSheep
HaerFest
Playology
Athleta
Road Runner Sports
Chuice
Arctic Zone
Saris

Published work:
Headspace the dot
Active.com
Redbull.com for Last Stand
Star Wars Life account posted my photo
Popsugar Fitness posted my photo
Athleta posted my photo
Experience Avalon

What I would like to do in 2018:
- Take more photos
- Get my personal trainer certification
- Create more video content
- More audio booksI (I've already started this.) Currently I'm listening to Relentless by Tim Grover

Boating + Paddle Boarding At The Lake

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50 Facts About Mae

Hey everyone! Just a quick video chatting out 50 random things about myself! 50 facts in less than 5 minutes! Anddddddd....GO! Don't forget to subscribe and give this video a thumbs up!