We the rescue that my wife and I volunteer the adoption fee is between 100-500 depending on the dog.
The money is used to buy food, meds, pet check ups, surgeries, etc for the other animals in the rescue. A lot of rescue organizations like ours are all volunteer with no paid members and no shelter (all animals are fostered in private homes).
Additionally, if we get a rescue that is a bit "fiesty", we work with a prison in which the inmates work with the animals to assist them with being handled and being around people 24-7.
I will tell you, that from my working with the rescue, I took A LOT for granted when it comes to the cost of maintaining, keeping records, having a website, software (Quickbooks to track expenses), adoption letters, follow up, banners for adoption events, tents, etc.
With our rescue, it takes nearly $1,000 a month just to cover the food expense, so I believe that rescues that charge these fees are completely justified in doing so, but at first, I was like "Whoa, that's almost the price to get one from a breeder (the $500 range)" but I have learned a lot since then.
