If there are so many rescue dogs that need our help, then why
don't we just give them away?
We are asked this question on occasion by individuals who
believe that if they are willing to take a homeless dog off our
hands that we should not charge them an adoption fee.
Let's follow a dog through our system. Upon rescue, an
Intake Assessment is conducted to document the overall health and
behavior of a dog. Initial vaccinations are administered, a
dewormer is given and a flea medication is administered.
When our rescue dogs move to their foster homes, they move with
their own Hobo bag. This contains everything that they will
need during their foster stay. A collar, ID tag, leash,
harness, crate, food and water bowls, food, treats, toys, bedding,
shampoo and conditioner, brush, an Adopt Me vest and training pads
if they are puppies are packaged up for each rescue. For many
of our rescues, this is the first time they have been exposed to
toys! Each dog is spayed or neutered, microchipped and
depending on age a rabies shot is administered while visiting the
vet.
Follow up vaccinations are also administered and replacement
supplies are required. Behavior and training supports are
available to foster parents on an individual or group basis so that
our rescue dogs are able to transition to their furever homes as
quickly and smoothly as possible.
Our adoption fee helps us offset our rescue and care
expenses. What we are not able to procure by donation, we
purchase with the assistance of donations and adoption fees.
For a healthy dog in care for a short period of time, with no
additional medical treatments, we invest roughly $300. Our
adoption fee is only $285. Cost recovery is not our
priority. Rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of dogs in need
are our priorities.
When you compare our adoption fee to the price of dogs from
breeders or pet stores, our dogs are quite a good deal. Not
only are they less expensive and we cover the cost of the spay and
neuter, but you when you adopt a dog from us and pay our adoption
fee you are saving a dog from a lifetime of
suffering.