Fair price for shelter dogs?

[flynnigan von woofenstein]

I adopted both of my dogs from the Santa Cruz, CA shelter in 2011 and 2013 and I paid $125 and $115 I believe. I thought that was a steal.. the second dog was less because I had adopted from them before.

I would have paid $250 with out question for both and I am sure all things considered, the shelter lost money on the two adoptions.

 

[angelsandoutlaws]

I paid $200 for my pit bull rescue. He was neutered, microchipped, and up to date on shots. I can't imagine spending more than, like, $300/$350 max. Why would rescues charge upwards of $1000? Is that true or just hearsay? Seems like that would push people to purchase dogs rather than rescue.

Those rescues IMO are not truly rescues....they pull them vet them and put them right back in situations with people that don't understand them and then wonder why the name of the breeds we love, are tainted to say the least, the rescues I worked with were not breed specific. One pulled the cute little dogs so they could have a quick turn around and would make people sign sterilization contracts. And blah blah blah...the shelter and rescue system in this country is a joke! I have a limit as to how many we rotate through right now because we are strictly foster based. I have a 15 in rescue right now. There is such a push for us to pull them and then when we are full....people get upset because they get put to sleep at the shelter...oh because that is my fault right? Noooo...because my turn around on an adult shelter pull that I have no history on is 3 months...I start posting them for adoption after a month when they're vetted and getting healthy. Then I start taking apps...then after my app process if you are approved...we do a trial foster to adopt and a two week mandatory training course with my trainer...(more for the human than the dog because they learn all basic obedience with us) My point is when a dog leaves us....I feel comfortable knowing they will have an amazing life. The owner will know the Facts about the breeds and be prepared to handle any issues that may arise, as well as educate people on the truth about the breeds.... So I may sound heartless because I don't freakout over an animal on death row dying. But I don't charge people any crazy amount...I don't rush my process and I get results. I would definitely tell any rescue charging that kind of money that I would like to look at their book keeping records....sounds like to me someone thinks they should profit from their non profit....

 

[omgrobyn]

The local shelter seems pretty reasonable, nothing over $250 (high demand animals like puppies under 6 months and all small breeds, those small breed dogs get snatched up faster than they come in). They just got a whole new shelter and clinic, I've gone through it a few times, it's very very nice, and they have tons of (well paid) staff and lots of volunteers.

Awhile back they were doing free cat adoptions because they had so many.

How to Adopt - Humane Society of Huron Valley

I got my Brussels Griffon for free from my boss's rescue. Tazz got insanely attached to me instantly, has a good personality (even though he's a neurotic little freak), and is very dog friendly, so it was a good match.

So, free, purebred toy breed, neutered, vetted, some obedience, 6 months of HW preventative and a bag of food. Plus tabs can be kept on me since I still work at the same place.

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[lizzie13]

Lizzie was 125..came utd on shots, spay and microchipped. When I was looking around most places were around that price. I did see as low as 60 and as high as 350 from rescues. I think 125 range is fair. But more than that I don't think so. But yes you are saving a ton if you had to do all the vetting on your own.

 

[Poisoned]

Whoever said it's not about getting a good deal it's about saving the dogs.. Well, I think we know that. However, the point stands. Rescues charging more than the average breeder does for pups, for a dog with baggage is absolutely a reason why many people opt to just go pick a puppy from the neighborhood breeder instead. Or the 'free to good homes' on craigslist.

What I would pay for a dog greatly depends on the dog. But, as I said, I'm one not one to pay simply to bring a pet home, I'll pay the equivalent for it's shots, vetting, items, and etc. but I don't personally see the point in paying a shelter or rescue to transfer ownership like they're an item. Anyone in rescue knows you are not going to make your money back, and there is no point in trying to with the animal itself.

 

[shotgun_wg]

If I am gonna pay full price for a dog it's gonna be in tact with papers. Local shelter charges $20 plus $30 to spay neuter. When funds are available spay neuter is free.


Shotgun
Arkansas

 

[mserika]

I'm deep in the heart of TX ;-) I adopted Jupiter for $40 special because after 16 weeks they get reduced but through out the year the shelter runs "specials" - right now being $20.14 ***the year*** but puppies & kittens are more because of the higher demands. People really have NO CLUE the time consumption of a BABY.
I went to the shelter looking for a big adult & fell in love. Following month later my Pit Osmium came from a rescue situation (dumped @ a dog park) - he has now cost me more than my shelter pup because of all the vet visits and shots *still have chipping and fixing to go next month- he is now 16 weeks. My point- adoption under $200 is a DEAL!!!!

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[Beatrix Kiddo]

That seems really expensive for an adoption fee.

 

[Kadreena]

Here in central alberta our AC and humane society charges around 2-250 for a dog and no rescue adopts for less than $300(rare occassions seniors may be 250)but rules about grants are different and rescues here raise the majority of their own funds. I know quite a few people working with rescues here and that money goes straight back into the dogs.

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[ConMan]

Our town has one vet office, neutering runs $300-350. The next closest vet is 20 min away and costs $200-250 but I am almost 100% positive she offers a discount to our SPCA and one other rescue. And then after that the next closest vet is 2.5 hours. We have one legit rescue, the PRSPCA and then 2-3 locally ran non profit "shelters" I've never seen them charge more than $250 which is reasonable in my opinion to strictly pay for cost of shots and fix. All the rescues in my area seem to do very well running on food and cash donations, thank goodness.

However I've seen animals be adopted out for as low as $50 because they were already spayed. But I've also seen Pit Bulls For Life adopt dogs out for $500-600 which is ridiculous. I can go buy a purebred, papered dog for that price or just a little more. Now, I'm not saying a papered dog is better than a unknown dog... but when someone wants a certain breed for a certain reason the only way to really know is going that route.

I however won't pay more than $300 for a dog from a Shelter, unless there's file for the dog that states it required some type of special vet costs that exceeded that usual vaccines/spay or neuter costs.

 

[Kadreena]

Pit bull rescues in alberta are crazy exspensive. Prairie pit bull is $400 for any of their dogs, they use the argurment that if you cant afford that then you cant afford a dog. But i can afford it, i would just rather spend that money on my dogs future.

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[RoxiePup]

I paid $75 for J, that was neuter, vaccines, deworming, and microchip.

Same with Roxie, was at a city shelter if that makes any difference

 

[marriss770]

Those rescues IMO are not truly rescues....they pull them vet them and put them right back in situations with people that don't understand them and then wonder why the name of the breeds we love, are tainted to say the least, the rescues I worked with were not breed specific. One pulled the cute little dogs so they could have a quick turn around and would make people sign sterilization contracts. And blah blah blah...the shelter and rescue system in this country is a joke! I have a limit as to how many we rotate through right now because we are strictly foster based. I have a 15 in rescue right now. There is such a push for us to pull them and then when we are full....people get upset because they get put to sleep at the shelter...oh because that is my fault right? Noooo...because my turn around on an adult shelter pull that I have no history on is 3 months...I start posting them for adoption after a month when they're vetted and getting healthy. Then I start taking apps...then after my app process if you are approved...we do a trial foster to adopt and a two week mandatory training course with my trainer...(more for the human than the dog because they learn all basic obedience with us) My point is when a dog leaves us....I feel comfortable knowing they will have an amazing life. The owner will know the Facts about the breeds and be prepared to handle any issues that may arise, as well as educate people on the truth about the breeds.... So I may sound heartless because I don't freakout over an animal on death row dying. But I don't charge people any crazy amount...I don't rush my process and I get results. I would definitely tell any rescue charging that kind of money that I would like to look at their book keeping records....sounds like to me someone thinks they should profit from their non profit....

Awesome post and Thank you for doing what you do, and doing it the RIGHT way. Not ALL "Rescue" is GOOD "Rescue". Anyone can pull dogs and charge an exorbitant fee, with no vet care, or anything. Hell I knew of a woman who would pull puppies from the South by the dozen, put them in her van and "adopt" them out at a rest area near CT, MA, etc.....that's not rescue.

I have paid anywhere from $75.00 from our local shelter, to $150.00 from a reputable rescue. All dogs were chipped, spayed/neutered, UTD, and a guarantee that if I had to return them at any time, they would take them back for the life of the dog.

 

[angelsandoutlaws]

Awesome post and Thank you for doing what you do, and doing it the RIGHT way. Not ALL "Rescue" is GOOD "Rescue". Anyone can pull dogs and charge an exorbitant fee, with no vet care, or anything. Hell I knew of a woman who would pull puppies from the South by the dozen, put them in her van and "adopt" them out at a rest area near CT, MA, etc.....that's not rescue.

I have paid anywhere from $75.00 from our local shelter, to $150.00 from a reputable rescue. All dogs were chipped, spayed/neutered, UTD, and a guarantee that if I had to return them at any time, they would take them back for the life of the dog.

Thank you! We have several programs we are implementing in hopes that other rescues will follow once we have grown and expanded a bit more. I'm very excited to share with y'all as our rescue grows. Thank you for the support!

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[fluke]

Our local shelter charges $100 for young dogs and puppies, with older dogs being slightly cheaper. That covers sterilization, microchip, first round of vaccines, rabies, worming, and flea preventative. I think that is more than a fair bargain.

Occasionally, they'll have dogs (usually less-adoptable ones) that have been sponsored by a kind soul who pre-paid their fee for an approved home. They also rarely auction high demand dogs to raise money to sponsor less adoptable dogs.

 

[Mayas mom]

I got my dog for $30 from a rescue shelter in Sacramento. They are always doing adoption specials every month. Along with getting her spayed, microchipped, free collar tag and leash.

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[Mayas mom]

Along with getting her spayed, microchipped, free collar tag and leash.

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[RockitShip]

I didn't pay a dime for Rock-It, I pulled her just before she would have gone to the shelter. Her loving owner was going to the military (at least that is what he said) and his family did not want to care for her. She has all of her vaccines, her city license, and is microchipped. I have all of her vet records from the time she was a pup.

I didn't feel that I should pay much for a pit-type dog since there are way, way, waaay too many out there as well as there being plenty of decently cared for ones (that you can get past health/temperament information from) available for rehoming through Craigslist, friends of friends, etc. And I wasn't looking for anything too specific, just something young and friendly looking for a furever home.

I am also not particularly fond of the interrogation and inspection process that often accompanies rescuing a dog from a breed rescue. While I see its purpose, it just scares people to backyard breeders more often than not if their home is not absolutely gosh dang perfect. Thinking of Tia from Pits & Parolees specifically. No wonder she has so many dogs!

We have three main shelters in the area. Where I used to be an ACO, it was and still is $29 for a dog of any size (senior dogs are free adoptions)- it includes a DHPP vaccine and spay/neuter. All fees are covered by donations. You need to pay for the rabies vax within 30 days and microchip if you so desire. The two other shelters charge up the ass for puppies and small dogs, the adoption fee is anywhere from $125-$300.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not afraid to spend money purchasing a dog. But if I am going to pay over $100, I'm only looking in the four digit range at the creme of the crop for something specific.

 

[Nyli]

Our local AC charges $175 which I think is fair for a dog that's utd, heartworm tested, microchipped and spayed/neutered. Plus they do some obedience training with the dogs while they're there so the dogs also have a little foundation work.

The local humane society charges $375 for adult dogs and $450 for puppies. Honestly I think that's too much. It includes shots, microchip, spay/neuter and a discount for a training class. It's not bad really but most people could buy a pure bred BYB puppy for less than $450 and they're getting exactly what they want, no questions asked, no hoops to jump through. It's unfortunate but I think the high price discourages some potentially good owners.




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[Tiffseagles]

I think one of the things you have to consider when discussing fair price for something is the cost of living in the area. Things are going to cost more in NYC than Philadelphia. It's just a given. That being said...

For Abby's adoption we paid $375 (I think, may have been $325) which included vax, spay, chip and shipment over 800 miles.
For a dog from a rescue, I'd be willing to pay up to $250-$300.
For a shelter dog, I wouldn't want to pay more than $125 (assuming dog is at least vax'd & speutered - I'd be willing to pay more if the dog had more invested in it)- ironically this means I would not adopt from the shelter I work for as our adoption fees are $150 and $200 which IMO is too much considering what is not done with the dogs.

I have read research that shows a correlation between purchase price and length of stay in home (dogs purchased for more than $100 stay in their homes longer, suggesting that more stay in their homes permanently), so I understand why the adoption fee would be over that amount.

If I'm spending more than $300, it's because I personally know the rescue/foster and am confident that the dog will excel at something that I'm looking for or I'm going to a breeder.