Rehoming a dog

[Jennasis]

$1000 isn't a "rehoming"...it is a sale. they are selling you an older dog with, apparently, behavior issues. No thank you. An adoption or "rehoming" should be no more than $250.

 

[Dancind]

I would expect to pay half the puppy cost for a dog over 6 months, half again if over a year. Was it a $4k dog? I know Corgis are expensive!

We "re-homed" a Burmese kitty for my daughter that was slightly over 6 months old. The breeder had decided not to breed her, and had her spayed. We paid kitten price. Kitty was sweet and easy going (we chose her for this disposition, to be an ESA) but after my daughter picked her up and took her on a plane for hours in a carrier, she became a different cat. Bonded to my daughter eventually but now very anxious and has developed cherry eye! She was old enough to realize something traumatic was happening to her. I would think your Corgi might have issues like this too, something to consider.

 

[tasha99]

$1000 is too much. A rehoming fee is supposed to mostly ensure that you have good intentions towards the dog, not actually pay for the dog.

Seems awful nervy of them considering you’re helping them out, not the other way around.

I don’t have a $ for you, sorry.

In a moment of weakness last week, I almost rescued a dog. She is between 12-14 and is in a no kill shelter. They had eight (8!) pages of requirements and wanted $250. I said no way, not if she could have died a day after I signed the papers and they had no conditions for that.

I was wanting to get a dog a few years ago, and ran into this with the rescue groups. I ended up deciding to not get a rescue dog, ever, and filled out an application/deposit with a breeder who shows poodles but sells a few pet quality dogs a year. Then, I decided I wanted to travel for work (not fair to a puppy), so my application is on hold.

My husband and I want a dog now, but feel it would be cruel to our 2 elderly cats to get a puppy, so we're still on hold. Eventually, we will get a poodle puppy from a breeder--either where we have a deposit or elsewhere. Not dealing with rescues because a lot of them have contracts where they can keep pestering you. We take good care of our pets, but they are pets and I am not having some stranger inspecting our house. Ironically, we'd surely pass, but it's the principle.

 

[OneOftheB's]

I can see asking for a rehoming fee to weed out the crazies/unreliable/undesirables who might want the dog. I've mentioned that when we got a dog off of Craigs List, the ad specified a rehoming fee that the original owner waived upon meeting us. But, $1000 seems high IMO. Especially with the caveats about training,etc. I can see fencing the yard be a legitimate requirement for the safety of the dog.

 

[Poohforyou]

I'd ask to see the original contract the current owner signed with the breeder before I did anything. Our contract stipulates that if we are ever unable to keep our dog he is to be returned to the breeder for her to keep or rehome.

Otherwise I'd make whatever improvements I needed for the breed of dog not what the current owner dictates.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I didn't see anywhere here that OP said there were behavior problems with the dog. They said the dog was strong willed and was living with older people with health problems, which likely translates to the dog is a good dog, but hasn't been properly trained and socialized and in order to be a good canine citizen in another home, needs that type of training and consistency now. This happens with herding breeds. (Think German Shepherd in a small package.) I totally get it.

And the dog likely came from a good breeder because the breeder now is still "involved" in this process. Op said she asked the breeder to keep an eye out for a dog for her. The breeder probably heard from this owner that they bit off more than they could chew and now really needed to find a new home for the dog. The breeder knew the OP was looking for a dog and put them in contact together. When a good breeder contracts to take the dog back, it doesn't necessarily mean they can keep him; often they help find the dog a good home and that is what I think we're seeing here. (Admittedly, the title was confusing.)

What amount do you feel is fair/reasonable to pay for a dog that needs to be rehomed?
We would be her new home. She is a purebred corgi.
The current owner has asked that my yard be completely fenced in. It is currently 3/4 fenced & finishing the small open area in the front would be relatively simple.
They have also asked that I enroll her in an obedience class to assert my dominance as she is strong willed. I have many years of experience with this breed.

Thank you.
She is 2, spayed, shots up to date & well cared for. Her current owners are older & having health issues. Her original breeder is helping to facilitate all of this.
I have answered a lengthy questionnaire. I totally understand her people & the breeder wanting to ensure she gets into a good home.
They are asking $1000 which I feel is high. I am used to seeing rehoming fees between $250-$500, maybe up to $600.
I don’t want to seem cheap or ungrateful, but $1000 feels high.
Is it lousy to bargain over a living creature?

I also saw on another thread that OP (I think) is from the NE area, therefore the pricing is not out of line. The dog has likely already been spayed and had all veterinary care, which would've been expensive, plus if it was well-bred there was care taken for health matters common to the breed and such. OP knows the history and can come to the breeder anytime as if she'd gotten the dog there originally, and we know the dog was well cared for. Those are all worth something. But I think with the added costs of required fencing and training, that in this particular case, it's a lot. As I said, I'd put the costs together for those, then go back with an offer that's more in line with what I can afford. I think they'll probably take it because the OP does seem to be a good fit for the dog since she has prior experience with the breed and is willing to jump through these hoops in order to make it happen. If not, then they can try to find someone else, no harm no foul.

 

[DISNEYSQUIRRELS]

I’ve never been drawn to a dog but when I saw her picture I was willing to drive an hour the next day to go get her. She is a 3 lb chihuahua and her name is Penny. I almost named my daughter Penny and since this dog was going to replace my daughter when she moved I thought it was fate.

You guys know me, I am not a dog person, I roll my eyes when someone says their dog is their child. Dogs are dogs and people are people but look at this faaaaaaaccccee.


View attachment 343183

Awww, she is very sweet!

 

[DISNEYSQUIRRELS]

$1000!!! This seems more like a sale than a rehoming.

I have no problem paying a fee for her, $1000 caught me off guard a bit because I know people that work in the animal field & what they have told me to expect + what I have read online & via popular adoption sites online.
Also, I’m unclear if this fee is going to the owner, breeder or being split somehow. I guess it’s none of my business really-it is up to me if I want to pay what is being asked.

 

[Colleen27]

I'm used to seeing a "re-homing fee" as an essentially token amount meant to ensure the animal is going to a good home, not to someone looking for free animals to use for fighting/bait, research, etc. We're meeting a woman tomorrow who is looking to re-home her 6mo border collie and she's asking for $50, which she later said privately that she's happy to waive for a family that can provide references. So realistically, this dog will be "free to good home", but she didn't want to post that publicly because of the interest it can attract.

I understand high adoption fees from rescues. Those aren't just about the animal you're adopting - they're about supporting the rescue as a whole. But a $1000 re-homing fee feels to me more like a sale than an adoption/finding a home for an animal that can't stay where s/he is. But I've never had a purebred dog in my life, so maybe things are just different when you're dealing with a breeder-sourced dog than a mutt from a shelter or unwanted litter.

 

[DISNEYSQUIRRELS]

I would never pay that much for a dog that is not a puppy, or one that is being re-homed because of behavior issues. I don't really like puppies, but with a puppy you are getting a clean slate, you can mold his behavior and create the dog that you want. Unless the dog is being rehomed because of the owner's illness or something like that, if you are buying a grown or almost-grown dog you are going to be taking on someone else's mess. No way I'm paying $1000 for that.

This girl is not being rehomed due to behavior problems. Her current owners are older with health issues & are not able to give her the attention they feel she needs. As far as I know, she has been well cared for & loved.
I totally get where you are coming from as far as a puppy vs an older dog that may be set in her ways. This part does not scare or worry me since I know the breed & am willing to put the time in to work with her. I don’t know what her personality is like yet since I have not met her, so there is more to learn.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I have no problem paying a fee for her, $1000 caught me off guard a bit because I know people that work in the animal field & what they have told me to expect + what I have read online & via popular adoption sites online.
Also, I’m unclear if this fee is going to the owner, breeder or being split somehow. I guess it’s none of my business really-it is up to me if I want to pay what is being asked.

I imagine it would go to the current owners of the dog, who paid the breeder originally. My guess was that the original cost of the dog was probably in the neighborhood of $1500-1800. (I am friends with a very good breeer and I hear these stories a lot.)

 

[DISNEYSQUIRRELS]

Who is getting the money? The breeder again?

A bit off topic but we have decided to try to find our first dog through rescues and I am a bit turned off by their contracts. Pretty much it seems they own the dog, do home visits after adoption, can come take it back if they deem necessary, and they also have requirements for training classes, fenced yards, not leaving the dog alone ever etc I'm guessing that's why people take their pets everywhere, lol. You have to tell them if you move, if the dog gets a splinter All of this fun for $400-500, plus spay/neuter and they are liable for nothing....don't guarantee health or temperament. You don't even get a trial period to determine if the dog is a good fit. I saw an application yesterday that wanted my dh's employer to call for a reference. ( he retired from the military after 25 years and works for the government now) Yeah, he said no way would that ever happen!

It's crazy town out here.

I think they are the ones putting money over the dog, more concerned with price than getting the dog a loving home. $1000 is the amount I would expect to pay for a puppy from a breeder, not a re-home.

I'm quite discouraged, and at this point it may be easier to just get another kid. Less restrictions!

You said it @kidshop! It is quite discouraging & you almost feel like the rescue people are “barking” at you!
You can’t do this, you must have that, don’t even think about coming to visit this dog until we have spoken to everyone you have ever known- it’s really something.
Good luck in your search!

 

[DISNEYSQUIRRELS]

If they didn’t charge money, they wouldn’t exist! These are non for profit centers relying on volunteers who see what horrible things people do to animals. They don’t want these poor animals surrendered again, a trial period? They want these animals in forever homes. Do you think people should have trial periods when they adopt children? One of the reasons thousand of innocent animals get killed every day is because of people who don’t research, don’t train, aren’t prepared. I had no issue paying $450 for my rescue dog, heckmi pay that every year for vet bills. For the first three months of her life, someone paid for her lodging, food and healthcare.

Correct & I have no problem paying & at the same time, I will admit $1000 caught me by surprise.
We are animal lovers, volunteer at & support our local shelters.
I am also an adoptive mom of 2, so no trial period there! I was immediately in the thick of raising my daughters.

 

[DISNEYSQUIRRELS]

Just tell them that's more than you have to spend, considering you'd also be paying for the fence & training. Leave it at that. See if they come back with a new price. Don't see the dog till it's a price you can accept.

Probably because the current owners aren't the breeder.

OP, also make sure the breeder doesn't want the dog back. Many times they stipulate that someone can't rehome the dog without their permission. Sometimes they want to be the ones to rehome the dog, not allow someone else to do it.

I was thinking something like that, asked them to consider adjusting the price a bit to accommodate the cost of the fence & training they are asking for, so my all in price would be $1000.
I’m betting she will have a contract & want her brought back if there was any problem with blending her into our family. I don’t anticipate that happening once I bring her home & can’t think of why I wouldn’t reach out to her if there was a major problem.

 

[kidshop]

If they didn’t charge money, they wouldn’t exist! These are non for profit centers relying on volunteers who see what horrible things people do to animals. They don’t want these poor animals surrendered again, a trial period? They want these animals in forever homes. Do you think people should have trial periods when they adopt children? One of the reasons thousand of innocent animals get killed every day is because of people who don’t research, don’t train, aren’t prepared. I had no issue paying $450 for my rescue dog, heckmi pay that every year for vet bills. For the first three months of her life, someone paid for her lodging, food and healthcare.

What if they tell me a dog is not aggressive, but it turns out it really is? A week or even a weekend to try out how everyone gets along seems to be reasonable to me before I pay the fee. I can't make a lifetime decision based on a 10 minute meet with a dog. It is forever for me, so I need to be sure of who I am bringing into my house with my family. I don't have a problem with paying for a dog. But I think I should own the dog at that point.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

Maybe ask the breeder how much she charges for Puppies. If she charges $2000+ I could possibly see the rehoming fee being larger than the $500 I normally see people ask for.

If puppies go for only $1000-$1500, the rehoming fee is ridiculous. Especially with the added conditions.

 

[sk!mom]

As with anything else, demand sets price. If they want $1,000 and someone is willing to pay it, then it's not too much.

It would absolutely be too much for me but I've never owned a purebred dog or bought from a breeder. We just do rescues and even with rescues, the desirability of the dog seems to set the price to some degree.

 

[Imzadi]

I was thinking something like that, asked them to consider adjusting the price a bit to accommodate the cost of the fence & training they are asking for, so my all in price would be $1000.

THAT sounds reasonable for a 2 yr old dog.

 

[Imzadi]

I would never pay that much for a dog that is not a puppy, or one that is being re-homed because of behavior issues. I don't really like puppies, but with a puppy you are getting a clean slate, you can mold his behavior and create the dog that you want. Unless the dog is being rehomed because of the owner's illness or something like that, if you are buying a grown or almost-grown dog you are going to be taking on someone else's mess. No way I'm paying $1000 for that.

Yes, I feel that way about cats - which listen even less to humans and tend to be more independent, if not bonded to the human like a dog. (My previous cat was bonded to me and followed me around like a dog because I had gotten her as a kitten. I was even able to teach her tricks as she was young enough to learn and obey. I'm reticent about getting an older cat now, although I don't think I have the energy to handle a kitten with all it's curious energy and wanting to get into everything. )

I have to wonder if the stipulation that the owner & dog take training classes isn't a red flag that the dog has behavioral issues that they are hoping the next owner will be able to correct. As others stated, corgis are extremely strong willed. Queen Elizabeth had a bunch of corgis and they were hard for her to handle - and she probably has a slew of the best trainers who worked with them.

 

[Imzadi]

A bit off topic but we have decided to try to find our first dog through rescues and I am a bit turned off by their contracts. Pretty much it seems they own the dog, do home visits after adoption, can come take it back if they deem necessary, and they also have requirements for training classes, fenced yards, not leaving the dog alone ever etc I'm guessing that's why people take their pets everywhere, lol. You have to tell them if you move, if the dog gets a splinter All of this fun for $400-500, plus spay/neuter and they are liable for nothing....don't guarantee health or temperament. You don't even get a trial period to determine if the dog is a good fit. I saw an application yesterday that wanted my dh's employer to call for a reference. ( he retired from the military after 25 years and works for the government now) Yeah, he said no way would that ever happen!

Yes, it's like that for cats too. In NYC they want to call the employer AND the landlord to make sure one can have pets. I understand the reasoning for that. But, my landlord is always trying to get rid of the current tenants, so he can jack up the price for the next tenant. (I live in a rent controlled building, so he can only jack up the rates GREATLY to market prices when a new tenant moves in, after doing some slight "remodeling.") While the lease stipulates I can have a pet, I'm sure he'd say something in such a way to make it seem like I'm not the best tenant and possible pet owner, so I'd get turned down, over and over. . . and maybe I'd MOVE instead, if I really want another pet. ) Instead, I'm just going to head to NJ, where the rescues and shelters have less stipulations to adopt a pet.

When I had gotten my last cat, I just went to a county shelter after I saw her pic on their website adoption page, drove 40 miles to that county, picked her out, (not the shelter picking me out,) plopped down $70 and went home with her. I was even given a free vet visit to have her spaying stitches taken out and so she could be checked over. I had 10 days to see if anything was wrong with her and return her. When the time comes, I want my next cat adoption to be just as easy.