We appreciate you considering adoption for your next pet. On Petfinder, you can browse pets from more than 12,000 shelters and rescue organizations, each with a unique adoption process and costs. Adoption costs can range from having to pay nothing to spending several hundred dollars, depending on the organization and the animal.
The costs of food and transportation as well as the animal’s medical care while seeking a new home are covered by adoption fees. These costs assist with taking care of the other animals in the shelter or rescue organization whose medical expenses might be significantly more expensive than any potential adoption fees. The funds also serve as a donation to the organization, enabling it to carry out its efforts to rescue and rehome animals.
Shelters and rescue organizations typically cover initial veterinary costs to prepare the pet for a new home, so an adoption fee can actually end up saving you money. Adoption fees often include:
While you may initially save on an adoption fee because free pets typically do not receive medical care, the costs of care quickly mount. Pets obtained through other means might not be fully vaccinated or spayed or neutered, which would increase the cost.
Many animal shelters and rescue organizations have waived adoption fees during special occasions or reduced adoption fees for adult or senior pets. To find out about upcoming events at your neighborhood shelters and rescue organizations, we advise “liking” them on Facebook.
What’s Included in Dog Adoption Fees?
The majority of the veterinary expenses to get your new dog ready to move in with you will typically be covered by the adoption fee you pay. According to Crowe and Moreland, that often includes:
The details may differ from shelter to shelter, so new pet parents should ask what’s included in their adoption fee before finalizing their adoption. Some may include additional perks as a “thank you” for giving a dog a new home. (The dog adoption fee at Second City Canine Rescue in the Chicago area, for example, includes 30 days of pet insurance from 24PetWatch.)
Why “Free Adoptions” Aren’t Truly Free
What come to mind when you ask, “How much does it cost to adopt a dog?” may be free adoption occasions or similar Clear the Shelters-style events. These occasions are wonderful ways to place dogs up for adoption and free up space in shelters for other deserving homeless animals. However, if the price of adopting a dog is what’s holding you back, it might indicate that you’re not prepared or able to make the financial sacrifices necessary to provide for a dog. Adopting a dog is a wonderful thing to do, but you must make sure you have the necessary funds before you do so. It costs money to properly care for a dog, from vet visits to food to training!
Adding a dog to your family through rescue is a wonderful way to grow your family. Additionally, rescue dogs can come with a lot of surprises, some of which are pricey. Before bringing a dog into your home, make sure you are financially ready for anything from unrecognized trauma to behavioral issues that call for lifelong training and management.
For instance, my rescue dog found living in a high-density apartment to be too stressful, so my partner and I had to sell our apartment and buy a house for her. Although she only cost a few hundred dollars to adopt, my rescue dog is most likely the most expensive pet I’ve ever owned.
Can You Adopt A Dog For Free?
There are some opportunities to obtain a dog for free, so look into them.
For instance, your friend’s dog may have given birth, and they need to find homes for the puppies. Perhaps they don’t want to sell the dogs because they aren’t a popular breed or because they don’t want to deal with the hassle of advertising or marketing the dogs.
Perhaps they decide to give you a puppy for free because they know you’re desperate for a dog and that you’ll be a great dog parent.
Similar to this, you might be able to adopt a friend’s dog for nothing if they are moving away and can’t take their dog with them.
These opportunities are unfortunately quite rare and dependent on chance.
You should be extremely wary if a rescue or shelter offers to let you adopt a dog for nothing. If they aren’t making any money, how do they care for the dogs?
Perhaps they are engaging in sponsored adoptions, where a person or business pays the expenses. But if you come across a chance like this, be sure to inquire further and learn where the funding for the puppies’ upkeep comes from.
FAQ
Are rescue dogs Free UK?
There are different adoption fees for adult dogs and puppies under six months at each of our facilities. Although we are unable to provide our dogs for free, your adoption fees help to defray many veterinary costs that would otherwise be incurred after purchasing a pet, such as those associated with microchipping and neutering.
How much money is a rescue dog?
In typical shelters, it typically ranges from about $100 to $700. The adoption fee typically covers upfront expenses such as shots, sprays, neuters, etc. Due to the high initial costs, the first year of dog ownership is typically the most expensive.
Why do rescues charge so much?
These costs assist with taking care of the other animals in the shelter or rescue organization whose medical expenses might be significantly more expensive than any potential adoption fees. The funds also serve as a donation to the organization, enabling it to carry out its efforts to rescue and rehome animals.
What is the 3 3 3 rule for rescue dogs?
Many dogs, whether they are puppies or older dogs that have been rescued, tend to follow the 3-3-3 rule when acclimating: 3 days of feeling anxious and overwhelmed. 3 weeks of settling in. 3 months of building trust and bonding with you.