What is a reasonable fee for adopting a dog?

[Jockaroo]

For my breed, rescues typically range $300-$600, most in the lower- to mid-range of this cost. We were approved for a dog through one rescue, but it was not my breed and we didn't take the dog. This dog would have cost $350, plus our transportation costs for a near 1,000 mile round trip to pick her up.

In my area the shelter dogs and rescue dogs will be spayed/neutered before being placed. One reason rescue fees are more expensive is that a few dogs will require thousands of dollars of medical care and rehab before placing in new homes. Heartworm treatment or an orthopedic surgery is very expensive.

A well-bred puppy of my breed will cost around $1,200 from a reputable breeder. The low end of the fees you were quoted is the maximum you should be spending. This would be for a fully vetted, altered young dog. Good luck finding your new family member!

 

[Feralpeg]

The rescue group I volunteer for charges $250. That includes spaying/neutering, vaccination up to date and microchip.

 

[bicker]

Keep in mind that puppy adoption fees go toward not only the costs of rescuing, caring for, and fostering the puppy, but also the costs associated with older animals (for whom the shelter cannot expect as high of an adoption fee).

 

[sunnyday123]

$1500? Are they kidding? You could buy a pedigreed dog from a breeder for that. We have some kind of gigantic poodle mix. We know his mom was pedigreed standard poodle and he looks very poodly. We paid about $120 and that included his first shots and neutering. No way would I pay $600-1500 for a dog of ANY sort. It's a DOG, for heaven's sakes!

Lol....then I will not tell you what I paid for my Newf, minky!!

I tried many rescues before we went with a breeder, and they were in the area of $350-$750. I thought it was because it was a Giant Breed dog, but they factor in expenses such as medical problems, travel fees, food and such. Honestly, some of the rescues I talked to were one step away from being a horder/pet store.

 

[jmpurdy]

Our greyhound rescue group is about 250. As a country, we can thank those that don't spay/neuter their pets as well as the racing industry for the overpopulation we now face. Most vets do their best to donate their time/equipment/anesthesia for spay/neutering for shelters (ours included), but it is never ending. With all due respect, I'd love the money paid for purebreds (except reputable rescue groups) to be instead spent on adopting and caring for shelter pets until the situation is under control. But that will have to remain a wish...

 

[DMickey28]

Lol....then I will not tell you what I paid for my Newf, minky!!

One of the best breeders I came across in my area start at $2000 for a "pet" Newf with limited AKC registration. That's for Black ... The landseer is $2250. Ouch ....

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I have a dog so obviously I know that vet care is expensive. My point is they say these animals need homes. If they go to homes, they don't need to be held at the shelter. They would rather kill a dog then let it go to a good home for free or reasonable donation of 25-50 dollars.

The rescue where I got my dog charged $275 which I thought was reasonable, given that they paid for gas to drive down south and pull him from the high kill shelter, shots, neutering, food etc . . .

If they had let the dog go for free or $25 then they wouldn't have been able to afford to go get someone else to fill that slot.

I can't help but imagine that a rescue that is charging $1500 for a dog is making a profit. However, $25 or $50 just isn't financially feasible. As for free, dog fighting is a real issue in my area. I think being used for "bait" during training is far worse than being gently put down, so free dogs make me very nervous.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

As for free, dog fighting is a real issue in my area. I think being used for "bait" during training is far worse than being gently put down, so free dogs make me very nervous.

We paid $200 for our mixed breed from a no kill shelter. That included the cost of shots and neutering. I think that is very reasonable.

 

[kirbydog48]

I paid $1,200 for my pure-bred labrador retriever. I adopted my Lhasa Apso at no charge, as his owner was elderly and had to go into a nursing home, and brought him to the vet to be euthanized. We willingly gave him a home. I've never heard of an adoption fee in that price range.

 

[Joyciemc]

The adoption fee (we don't call it a donation because it is a set price for services the animal receives, not a charitable donation) at the shelter where I work is $300 for dogs. This includes spay/neuter, vaccinations, HW testing, microchipping, leash & collar. $300 is what it costs us to get all those things done at our local vet (who does give us quite good pricing!)
It also usually includes SOME other medical care because the dog needed something done before being adopted out- we don't increase the adoption fee to cover those costs.

We often have folks 'sponsor' animals in the shelter and they contribute part of the adoption fee, making it lower for prospective adopter.

Adoption fees are not what is keeping the shelter financially afloat, we rely on the generousity of the community to be able to function.

All that to say, the prices you are seeing are WAY high!

 

[Planogirl]

Try to find a good local city shelter. We have one in a nearby city that neuters the animals and provides all shots and checkups and they charge under $100. I don't think that under $200 or so is unreasonable though but $1500 is ridiculous.

 

[SandrA9810]

I adopted my last dog for 60$, she came from the local pound (kill shelter). We searched for months between the pound and the humane society. The difference between the two, is the HS will only take former pets, while the pound will take any stray. I was surprised to find that she was an owner surrender. My guess is she got out one day, and picked up by the pound and the owners didn't want to take the time to get her back. Because I could not fathom why she would be in the pound if they really needed to give her up since the HS was right across the street.

I can't fathom paying more than a 100$ for an adoption fee. If I'm gonna pay more than that, I'll find a good breeder.

 

[schmitty]

It is 66 or 76 for a dog at the local pound here.

 

[elizke]

The neutered, micro-chipped Brussels Griffon we adopted from a rescue group last November here in the Midwest was $275, with all shots up to date. Would have been similar (some a bit higher or lower) for any breed younger dog. Older ones were much cheaper.

That seemed pretty standard for all the groups and shelters we looked at around here.

 

[walden]

Our breed specific rescue, I volunteer there, charges $250 as an adoption fee, which includes being up to date on all shots, spay/neuter, dental, and a free collar and leash. Sometimes the fee is lowered or waived for a special needs dog. The adoption fees do not cover the actual costs of running the rescue kennel, and we rely mostly on fundraisers and donations.

Really big and famous rescues, for example North Shore Animal League, can afford to have sliding scales. http://www.animalleague.org/adopt/adoption_faq.html A pure bred puppy there is $225, but all other dogs are less. City pounds charge much less, but probably don't have the time or resources to know the dogs properly, and help you to pick a really good match for the family.

I've heard of adoption fees up to $350 at reputable rescues but, remember, not all rescues are good. IMO, $1500 is way out of line. Holy smokes, Batman, are you looking at a certain place in California that charges the earth, has way too many neglected dogs, has been investigated several times for animal neglect, and makes you buytheir (expensive) food for the life of the dog? I think that place should lose its 501 (c) 3 status because it is a very good example of a very bad rescue organization.

 

[onelilspark]

When we were looking, the most expensive we found was $350 for a puppy. Most were around $250...included spay/neutering, first shots, etc. We got frustrated when we couldn't adopt because we didn't have a yard...we were looking at "apartment dogs," not Labs or Goldens! So frustrating to open up my home to these groups (for site visits) and jump through hoops only for them to tell us no. We finally got tired of it, found a breeder and got our new puppy for $400! So yeah, I'd say the prices you were quoted are ridiculously high!!!

 

[tomthebarncat]

Cody Bear's adoption fee was 250 Euros and I donated an additional 250 Euros. In Germany non profits need to post their expenses down to the last cent, the website does a good job of explaining what the rescues costs are. I had no problem paying the fees, as he is neutered, micro-chipped and vaccinated, and came with an EU passport. I did take him to my vet immediately just so they would have a starting point, if he got sick. He was and is worth every cent and we do continue to donate to the rescue group as he is the second dog I got from them, and both have been beloved pets and adored family members.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

$35 at our shelter. Comes with a 1/2 off spay or neuter.

Some rescue groups are so ridiculous.

 

[itsheresomewhere]

I just found one better. I found a rescue who wanted 50 for the dog but to do a home inspection and deliver the dog it was 400 bucks. Plus, a 10 dollar application fee. . And, this dog wasn't fixed.

 

[design_mom]

We adopted our yellow lab as a puppy from a breed specific rescue and her fee was $400. Our black lab was from a non-breed specific rescue. He was an adult when we got him and his fee was lowered because he was hard to place. (He's a super- sweetheart, but he's shy at first. He didn't "show well," if you know what I mean. I think his fee was $150, down from $250. Both dogs had all their shots, spayed and neutered, microchipped, and had some training.

I agree that the prices you've been quoted are high... And I find it especially curious that it doesn't include neutering. All the recess we talked to include neutering.