The Pet
Bide-A-Wee
410 E. 38th St., nr. First Ave.; 212-532-4455
Once varying price structures are accounted for, there’s little difference among New York’s animal shelters based on cost. However, Bide-A-Wee works as clearly the best deal on purebreds, thanks to its flat fee of $70 (most shelters have a staggered fee structure, and purebreds are at the top of the range). Almost half of the cats and dogs are purebred. If you’re not picky about breed, go to the New York Center for Animal Care and Control (nycacc.org). Since it’s legally bound to take in all animals, it’s also most keen to find a home for them, which means it has special promotions monthly.
The Food
Petland Discounts
312 W. 23rd St., nr. Eighth Ave.; 212-366-0512
The Wal-Mart of pet-supply stores undersells competitors, including Petco, by as much as $8 for a seventeen-pound bag of cat litter. Printable coupons on the Website (petlanddiscounts.com) offer even more deals.
The Training
Petco
860 Broadway, nr. 17th St.; 212-358-0692
Trainers cut their teeth here, so you might not get a dog whisperer, but group classes (limited to seven) are $119 for six hours—a third of what most independents charge. Get the trainer’s name, then check up on him at urbanhound.com, the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, and Craigslist.
The Grooming
New York School of Dog Grooming
455 Second Ave., nr. 26th St.; 212-685-3776
Hair salons aren’t the only places that offer cheap deals on trainee cuts. The groomers-in-training here will wash your pup, cut and style his hair, clean his ears, and clip his nails, from just $28 for small dogs to $45 for a shaggy hound. That’s at least 50 percent less than you’d typically pay.