Adoption Fees

Are Rescue Adoption Fees Are Too High" by Joan Freemo

Every Rescuer has heard it. The argument that if we really cared about finding "Good
Homes" we would give the dogs away. There are folks who will tell us they could go to a Pet
shop and purchase a dog for just a little more then the adoption fee. So what is the adoption
fee paying for?

ARE RESCUE FEES TOO HIGH?
The assumption that Rescue is a business, or that Rescuer's make a profit from suffering
could not be further from the truth. While not all Rescue Groups are created equally,
regardless of the size or breed of dog you are looking for, most will ask for a donation to
adopt ranging from $100 to $450. If a Rescue Group takes in a healthy pet that costs a
minimal amount to make ready for adoption, the "profit" from that animal is applied to the
vetting costs of the many others who are not as fortunate.

When a dog comes into Rescue, funds must be spent on neutering/spaying, teeth cleaning
(if needed), vaccinations, (Rabies, DHLPP, Bordatella), screening for Heart worms and a
fecal. Vetting expenses on a healthy animal can run as high as $225 and more with the
larger breeds. The truth is the majority of found/stray/rescues DO require additional vetting.
Worming is almost always a necessity. Rescuers treat Heart Worm positive animals, pay to
set broken bones, to treat illnesses and injuries---providing treatment the original owners
either didn't choose to or could not afford. Rescuers may do whatever is necessary, and it
can often take several months to return an animal to good health. It is not unusual for the
costs of this care to run from $450-$1000 per dog.

Most Rescuers do this without benefit of financial backing or resources, choosing to spend
money in saving lives, rather then on themselves. I do not know of any Rescue group that
makes a profit, or comes anywhere close to breaking even.

Rescuers will foster these animals in their homes, making them part of the family while
providing care and training. The animals will be screened for behavioral and health issues,
those issues addressed, and every attempt is made to make the best possible match with
adopting families. Rescuers spend hours on the computer each day seeking the perfect
home, help for a dog, or transport from shelter to Rescue or Rescue to forever home.
Setting up transports for these animals may take weeks to arrange, and require 100's of
emails. Phone bills are frequently outrageous, as Rescuers still find it necessary to call
shelters and vets that lack email capabilities, to interview prospective adopters and check
their references.

"I COULD GO TO THE PET STORE AND GET A PAPERED PUPPY."
Yes, one could go to a Pet Store to purchase a papered Pup for a little more then the
donation a Rescue Group may request---and be responsible for encouraging the Puppy Mill
industry to flourish. Perhaps there are those who are unaware of the conditions that these
animals are born to? Perhaps the thought of that sweet puppy's mother living out her entire
life confined to a cage, covered in mange, and barely able to stand does not trouble some
folks. (See NBC's report on "Petstore Puppies"
http://www.msnbc.com/news/399912.asp#BODY)

However, even if the plight of the pup's mother didn't concern them, if their motivation was to
save a few dollars---they would be woefully misinformed. Pet store pups are notorious for
costing their owners--not just in the funds to cope with the many health problems, but
emotionally--as many owners fight a losing battle with bad genetics, compromised immune
systems, and unstable temperaments. (See "Pet Store Puppies":
http://www.kerryblues.org/RESCUE/WHYNOT.HTML)

Prospective Pet Owners could also seek a Reputable Breeder, pay $500-1000 for a puppy
and, IF they are responsible Pet Owners, they would still need to spend the funds to
properly vet their new pet, (to neuter, vaccinate, etc.).

IF YOU REALLY CARED ABOUT THESE DOGS AND TRULY CARED IF THEY FOUND
FOREVER HOMES YOU WOULD CHARGE NOTHING."
Rescuers care enough to provide for these dogs when their original owners did not, to
screen homes, to invest their hearts, time, and personal funds. Rescuers care enough to
know that if someone cannot afford a nominal donation for adoption it is likely that person
would also be unable to provide proper veterinary care for the animal Rescue has loved to
health. Rescuers care enough to have researched and know what happens to those "free to
a good home" pets- the neglect, abuse and abandonment that these
animals, deemed of no value, will suffer. (See "FREE TO A GOOD HOME?":
http://members.tripod.com/~doglegg/charlie_parker.html) We care enough that we cannot
be governed by expenses.

The idea that Rescuers make a profit hurts the 1000's of Rescuers who are trying, with all
they are worth, to make a difference. There are more then enough misconceptions about
Breed Rescues. (See "Some Common Misconceptions About
Breed Rescues": http://www.darkrose-bds.com/kennel/resc/rescmisc.htm)

Owners always seem to have some excuse why they can't keep their pets. Please read "The
Top Ten Reasons for Pet Relinquishment to Shelters in the United States". How many
seriously ill, old, or untrained dogs can Rescues take? Yet this is Rescue. Rescuers care for
these animals, providing vetting and training---and then seek the best of all homes. The
home that will love and cherish these animals.

Rescuers devote a lot of energy trying to close down the puppy mills and back yard
breeders, the places that breed grief--that victimize the animals and the poor unsuspecting
families that love and lose their beloved pets because of greed.

Most Rescuers drive old cars, repairs put on the back burner because yet another poor soul
needs expensive vetting. Rescuers will do without things others probably take for
granted---because money only goes so far and the number of animals needing help never
diminishes. We take calls at all hours of the day and night. Why not--not a one of us sleeps
well after the horrors we've seen--and when we do sleep, we hear the whimpering of those
animals in our dreams. Please visit Pyrangel Rescue Network'swebsite at
http://www.greatpyreneesrescue.net. Look under"All About Rescue" to learn more.

What do rescue fees pay for? Read about Hope and Freedom at
http://www.dogality.com. Perhaps you'd like to read Eleanor's Rescue.
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/dog_rescue/73609. Eleanor's vet
bills have exceeded $1500, she will likely be here until she dies--as few wish to take on a
senior Pyr. Or read about Shelby, http://www.greatpyreneesrescue.net/rbmemorial.htm.

Or the TN 5, http://www.greatpyreneesrescue.net/rescues2.htm. In January, PRN was having
a 19 week old rescue spayed in a clinic near Knoxville--the clinic
called to tell me 5 Pyrs had just been dumped. I also had a Rescue in KY. In just two days I
charged the neutering and vetting of 7 dogs to my credit cards. The females of the TN 5 will
require extensive fostering. They were afraid and unsocialized, and very malnourished.
Are the fees too high?