What is the most money you would be willing to pay for a puppy/dog from a humane society?

Question

We are looking to adopt a new puppy/dog and I have seen prices from $77.00 up to $300.00.
In my opinion $300.00 is alot for a humane society when you can go to a breeder and buy a dog for about the same or a little more.
What do you think?

Both the $77.00 and $300.00 include sterization and 1st round shots (for puppies) or current shots (for grown dogs)

Answer 1

I think you have to pay more to cover all of their fees...If you do go through a breeder, just make sure its a good one...But for me...if they had the one that I wanted and it was compatable with my lifestyle...i would get it

Answer 2

What do I think? I think alot of people miss the bigger picture as to what is all entailed in adoption fees.

First: Shelters and humane societies are run on donation and adoption fee money. They do not get federal dollars like a pound. They need the money they're asking for. It's that, or animals are euthanized at an increased rate because they lack the money to care for them and animals coming in.

Second: There is more than shots and wormers included with the fee. There is medical examination, cost of living (food, space, ect.), cost of misc. services (grooming, anitbotics). Also, there's a mileage. If the society, shelter, or pound actually does pick-ups, that's money down the drain for gas.

That price is that high for a reason, people. I work at a pound, and even though we get state dollars, the pound fees are based on the expenses we've paid for the dog. Keeping an animal, even at a shelter or pound, is not cheap. You need to start taking into consideration the services that dog has been provided.

And no, you could not get a dog for 300 bucks from a good breeder. So you might as well save a life instead.

Answer 3

The majority of humane societies and rescue groups provide more veterinary care to pets before adoption than a breeder does. (Generally a shelter will spay/neuter, vaccinate, test etc - a breeder usually only vaccinates) This usually explains the higher adoption expense.

Also vet expenses also vary greatly by state. What may be $50 at a vet in 1 state could be as much as $250 in a different state. So it is difficult to make the comparison of 1 humane society in 1 state to that in another state.

As for the mention that shelters have high adoption standards - please keep in mind that shelters are usually run by volunteers who give blood, sweat and tears saving as many lives as they can within thier resources. For all the emotional involvement they lay out - they typically insist on the best possible home for the pet.

Answer 4

Please understand that when you are adopting a dog from the shelter you are making an adoption donation and that is what most shelters survive on to care for the animals awaiting homes. Consider that you will be receiving a dog that is up to date on vaccinations and is probably spayed or neutered or you will be eligible for a discounted spay or neuter. Know that if you purchase a puppy from a breeder you will be paying for the entire series of vaccinations and spay or neuter. Might be something you would like to think about. Good Luck.

Answer 5

I would pay anything for a dog. Especially the dogs at the Humane society. they are the ones that usually need homes the most, spare no expense when giving a dog a nice home. Plus, the dogs at the humane society are the ones really in danger, the ones at breeders will get bought at one time or another and they will always have a family.

Answer 6

Usually when prices are high for a rescued dog it is because they had very high medical bills to get them ready for adoption. Almost all rescued dog sfrom a shelter are already fixed and they are up to date on their shots. When you buy a puppy from a breeder you have to pay all medical fees which is usually more than $300 dollars in just the first year. Just keep that in mind that just because the dog is purbred does not mean that they are free from medical defects because their are people who only breed for profit and today mutts are living longer than purebred dogs.

Answer 7

I have recently seen in California a Pikenese (not spelled correctly) for a whopping $835.99. Depending on the breed you are looking for, 300.00 dollars doesn't seem so much huh. I have paid $350.00 for the albino runt of a chihuahua litter. Hope this helps

Answer 8

My shelter charges around $80 which is reasonable because I paid $600 for my puppy from the pet store (and he was the second cheapest puppy there). The ironic thing is that they are super strict on who they are willing to give a pet to. You have to approved and God forbid should you admit to ever letting you cat go outside or you will denied immediately. At least that's the way they are at the shelter in my town.

Answer 9

i think $300 is outrageous . Here in so. Fla. we pay $65 for a dog or cat but that price includes there 1st round of shots and spay or neutering. and u have to b screened before u can adopt any animal.

Answer 10

$300 does seem rather steep for a shelter dog, however you may want to know if that includes any veterinary care besides neutering, which is pretty much standard. If it also covers all the puppy shots and checkups and perhaps tattooing or microchipping it's a fair price.

Answer 11

I'd pay 300....most breeders are around the 600-up range for a pure breed! Just think of the life you are saving...is it worth the 300? Do you really love this dog? If so, go pick him/her up!