Is it cheaper to buy a brand new pet or get one from a rescue centre?

Answer 1

are you asking if it is cheaper to buy a pet or get one for free

Answer 2

Hi The One-

This does depend on your local Humane Society, but typically it is much cheaper to go through them than to buy an animal from a pet store. However, keep in mind that there are some "costs" associated with the cheaper price.

Pet stores generally only sell true-breed animals, so they can be quite expensive (several hundreds of dollars). On the other hand, humane societies rarely have young, true-bred animals because such animals are unlikely to be abandoned. You are more likely to find an animal with some sort of health problem at a Humane Society, which can have expenses associated with treating them.

In addition, at a humane society, you may find animals that have some behavioral problems because they were neglected or abused as they grew up. Often, this is not a problem- they cringe around strangers, or are affraid of boxes, not being house-trained, etc. Overcoming these behavioral issues can take time (though so does training a Pet Store Puppy, so go figure), so you need to take this into account when considering a specific pet for adoption.

In short:
Pet Stores: Expensive animals that are true-bred. That price generally guarantees that they come from reputable breeders and that they are healthy.

Humane Society: Small fee (generally the cost of spay/neuter and shots) will get you generally an older "Mutt". You may spend some extra time getting over behavioral problems, but generally the staff of the Humane Society understands these problems, and can help you decide whether or not you are up to the effort.

Answer 3

While no pet is cheap, I'm all for rescues. The price can be anywhere from $50-250+. However, these animals have no where else to go, and shelter life is no life for a dog.

I refuse to go to a breeder. I would rather save a life than stick money in someone's pocket. I personally think that you should only spend money on a purebred at a breeder's if you plan on showing it. Personal opinion.

Either way, pets cost quite a bit of money. If you have the time and money, a rescue dog will love you forever. They know what it's like to have a bad life and will know that you have given them a nice home.

Answer 4

From what I've found, it's the rescue center. I bought my bun from a pet shop for $40....plus $40 for the cage, another $20 for supplies...and then $130 for the neutering. If I would have gotten a bun from a rescue center, it would have been $27.50 for the bun and the neutering! Dogs at our shelter (and some were like PURE bred) are $80 to adopt and that includes a carrier, shots, leash and collar, and spay/neutering. Regularly, purebred dogs run over $400! Cats are $37 or 2/$50. Guinea pigs are 2/$15...and I think they had a ferret that was really cheap as well.

I think it's much better to go to a rescue center. These pets need love and need homes. Do some searched online if you would like to find an adoption place in your area.
http://www.petshelter.org/

Answer 5

You will still have to pay if you go with a rescue center, like the Humane Society. The question is do you want a pure breed, or can you live with a mixed breed, which is usually what they have at the rescue place. I personally prefer to rescue a dog, because if they don't find a home for him in a certain time, they put them to sleep. As opposed to a breeder, they will keep the dog until they find a buyer. Plus, getting the dog from the rescue place will make you feel even better about yourself and what you did for the cute little thing.

Answer 6

I have so many concerns about your question. Whether you buy a pet or rescue one it is going to be expensive. There is food, vet bills, all kinds of expenses.

I am also concerned that you have not considered the breed. Do your home work! Find a breed that suits your lifestyle. Then decide if you want to buy or rescue. Dogs take hours and hours of training and care. If you have no knowledge or experience you are going to have a lot more problems than just money.

Answer 7

It is cheaper to get a pet from a rescue center although they are not free. You have to pay a fee. This is to cover the spaying or neutering. If you choose to have the spaying or neutering done at your own vet's you MUST have it done within a month.

The pets in the rescue centers really need homes and you would be doing a good deed. Just be sure that you have time for them and you would care to feed them and to play with them and love them. Do not get a pet and just put him in the backyard and leave him. Play with him, walk with him, introduce him to your friends (dogs are people too!). Don't scold him if he jumps up on you at first. He only is saying "Hi!" You have to teach him without scolding him what you want him to do. Remember he will love you unconditionally. Please do the same for him.

Answer 8

a purebred puppy or cat will cost around 200 and up. A rescue center sually charges a small donation fee and requires that the animal be fixed. It is usually cheaper to get one from a rescue center. You can also find people that are giving away pets for free in the paper.

Answer 9

Rescues do not give away pets. They charge a fee as when you get a pet from one the pet has all its shots and ahs been spayed or neutered and has had all the vet work done.
You will still beed to take the pet to a vet.
It is noce from rescue as you are saving a dog or cat and as a adult pet most are already housebroken. Nice if you work away from home and do not have time to train a puppy.

Answer 10

Hi
If you go to a rescue centre you still have to give a donation, but its nice to get a pet from these places a lot of them are in need of a loving home as they have been through a very traumatising time, they may have been starved, beaten, or someone has died and there is no one else to care for them.
so it would be lovely to take one from a home and share you love with them and also there are lots of breeds of dogs so i am sure you would find what you looking for.
Sophie

Answer 11

Definately a rescue centre, but remember animals can cost a lot of money to look after as i have just found out. My dog had blocked anal glands and then the vet found a hernia. The cost of his treatment will be approx £2000 fortunatly I have pet insurance so i will only pay the excess. It is worth getting pet insurance.