When asking my Facebook friends what they would like to see in my next column I received several requests for affordable pet care. Like ours, many family budgets include expenses for pet needs such as food, health care and personal items.

So, with a little research and personal experience, I am happy to share with you a few suggestions.

Bedding: Used or clearance comforters make great pet beds. Outlet stores are a great place to find people bedding that your pet will love and your wallet will too! Entertainment: Get creative! While out yard sale, flea market (no pun intended) or thrift store shopping, be on the lookout for toy making materials such as rope, yarn, rubber toys, etc or gently used children’s toys. Remember to clean all materials or toys before giving to your pet.

Feeding: Free samples are a great way to supplement daily feedings. Sprinkle or mix in with regular food. If it is a dry food, consider using as a treat. Be sure to use moderation as to not upset digestion.

A lot of Web sites and pet stores offer money saving coupons and special discounts if you register with them. If you are feeding your pet expensive pet food, consider switching or supplement with a cheaper brand. Just make sure you read the label carefully so you don’t replace nutrition with fillers. You may even want to consider making your own food. Ehow.com has a great fish food recipe.

Grooming: Learn to take care of simple grooming yourself. Invest in a good pair of nail trimmers, reading the instructions carefully. Check out a “how to” pet grooming book from your local library. The more you can-do, the less you will have to pay someone else.

Kenneling: Pay someone like a close family member or neighbor to either come to your home and care for your pets or make comfortable, safe accommodations in their house instead of kenneling.

Pest control: I have heard of several homemade recipes for flea and tick control. I haven’t tried any personally but trust my resources. For fleas: plain (not citrus) Dawn dish soap is reportedly safe for fighting fleas on puppies. Adding Neem oil to your favorite shampoo will do the trick; mix equal parts white vinegar and water together in a spray bottle, and apply directly to dog’s coat. A lavender sachet tucked in bedding will ward off many pesky insects, and rosemary sprigs rubbed into feline fur are a few to get you started. Vaccinations: Consider giving vaccinations yourself. With three breeding German Shepherds and two cats we’ve been vaccinating our pets ourselves for years. We purchase our vaccinations from our local Tractor Supply Company for about $7 per animal. We even give our dogs their rabies boosters ourselves, purchased from a reputable online vet supply company. This practice, however, should not replace your regular vet checkups. Another economical method is to bulk up with a buddy! When purchasing pet medications such as flea and tick medicine, you can save by purchasing larger quantities. Rent a pet, sort of. Volunteer to be a home-care provider for a pet from your local humane society. You get a pet for a short period of time, until the pet is adopted and the pet gets T.L.C. and reconditioned to family life.

This column is provided by Tara Roark. Tara conducts Coupon Boot Camps training consumers how to save hundreds on their groceries, shopping, dining and entertainment through couponing. To contact, please visit her on the web at www.couponbootcamp.com and follow her blog, http://mommysgotworktodo.blogspot.com, or on Twitter, couponbootcamp, for exclusive HOT deals and tips.