Any rescue organization will and should charge something to adopt a dog. It often costs them WAY more to rehab/treat the dog than what they're actually charging you. As far as health, the rescue org should have a very, very good handle on the dog's physical and mental health - any rescue worth its salt would know lots of details about the dog.
A dog that has been part of a puppy mill could have things wrong w/ it's feet (if it lived in a wire bottom crate etc), teeth (due to lack of care), skin, overall nutrition/health, weight/body condition, abdominal tone (due to over breeding)...etcetera. Not to mention mental health issues. BUT, all of these things can be overcome by proper vet care and lots of TLC. SO many people here have former Mill dogs, and they heal so beautifully. Have you met the dog yet, do you feel a certain bond w/ her if you've met her?
__________________ ~ A friend told me I was delusional. I nearly fell off my unicorn. ~
°¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° Ann | Pfeiffer | Marcel Verdel Purcell | Wylie | Artie °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° |