These 9 week old boxer/chihuahua mix puppies from Faith, Hope & Love Animal Rescue NC all had to be fully vetted with current shots and microchipping before they could go to their forever homes in September 2022. The rescue will also pay for spaying/neutering when the puppies are old enough.
A Rescue Costs THAT Much?
One of the more frequent questions those of us in rescue hear is, “Why do you charge so much for a rescue dog?” Honestly, I don’t think the average adoption fees in the area are that bad; most local, all-breed rescues set their adoption fees between $250-300. (Breed-specific rescues may charge more).
But some folks are used to getting a puppy or dog old school-style: through a “free to good home” ad, a friend of a friend giving away puppies from an accidental litter, or a shelter where fees are usually no more than $80 when they aren’t running adoption specials (lately, many shelters have waived or reduced adoption fees to help get animals adopted faster).
Therefore, the idea of paying $300 for a “mutt” they could get cheap or free elsewhere seems crazy to them. So why do rescues charge what they do to adopt?
Dogs need stuff!
They eat food. They need a bed and crate to rest, and they never say “No” to toys or Benebones. Very young puppies may also need to be supplemented with puppy formula (a single 12 oz. can of Esbilac puppy milk replacer is $22.93 on amazon.com). And puppies always go to their fosters with lots of potty pads.
Vetting is expensive.
As a result, most backyard and accidental breeders don’t typically put a lot of money and time into vetting their pups, which can result in expensive vet bills for the adopter. Faith, Hope, & Love Animal Rescue NC just spent thousands of dollars rehabilitating a parvo puppy that someone purchased off a truck in a shopping center parking lot.
At a minimum, dogs and puppies need:
– A full veterinary evaluation to identify any potential health concerns, such as being heartworm positive.
– Age-appropriate shots, including the series of parvo prevention vaccinations for puppies. Rabies shots are required once a dog is old enough.
– Sterilization (spay/neuter) at the appropriate age.
– Heartworm, flea and tick prevention.
– Microchipping.
On average Carolina Big Hearts Big Barks Rescue spent about $350 per dog on vetting, though some dogs cost more if they were heartworm positive or needed any type of surgical intervention (one of my foster puppies needed a $1200 surgery).
Rescues actually lose money
That cost was not passed along to the adopters; no matter how much the rescue spent to get a dog healthy, the adoption fee was $250. Excluding those situations, the rescue typically lost $100 per dog adopted out.
Dog ownership isn’t cheap
The adoption fees help offset the rescue’s expenses, but we also want to make sure adopters have thought about the costs involved in pet ownership, which isn’t cheap, especially if you are interested in a high maintenance breed. For example, if you want to adopt a Maltese or a doodle and are complaining about the adoption fee, how will you manage grooming bills? And if an adoption fee is too much of a financial burden, how will you afford veterinary care if the dog gets unexpectedly sick or hurt?
No matter how much you pay (or don’t) to adopt, your dog still needs basic care like food, shelter, toys, a bed, and heartworm and flea and tick prevention.
Rescues rely on donations and fundraising
Because nearly all rescues operate at a loss, they rely heavily on donations and fundraising to stay afloat. It bears repeating: Rescues do not make a profit off your adoption fee or come out “ahead” in any way. The rescue’s goal is to give the dog a chance to live its best life in a loving forever home; rescues operate out of our love for animals. In fact, seeing a dog get to grow old in a loving forever home is something we can’t put a price on.
Local Rescue Needs Help with Puppy Supplies
Kreitzer’s Critter Corral Puppy Rescue currently has more than 20 puppies that aren’t yet weaned. Ten of them are strictly on puppy formula and canned food, as they were not relinquished with their mother. Any help you can offer is much appreciated: Chewy Wish List and Amazon Wish List.
Article and photos by Timina Stengel, Foster/Adopter/Rescue Advocate: Timina Stengel
Timina is the full time Personal Assistant/Mom to her rescue pitty Stella. She also has two human teenagers and works as a content strategist.
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