Ugh Really?!

[Soccer50]

Okay so today ( and every other day ) I went to look at the adoptable yorkies in a rescue near me.
I am astonished by how much there adoption fees are!!!
They range from 550-850!
It might just be me but I thought adoption fees should and be less for a dog you are adopting?
Ugh. It just makes me mad sometimes because some people dont have the money to buy a yorkie from a breeder who wantes close to a 1000+ for a yorkie, so they go and look at shelters and see that some are asking almost just as much as it is to get them from a breeder.

To me this is just....wrong almost.
I know that yorkies are a VERY common breed and everyone wants one of these little cutties but adopting a dog for $850? I got my Jack Russell ( also a pretty good breed I think ) and he is purebreed with papers
for an adoption fee of $80!

Okay. Sorry everyone. Just needed to rant

[Marilize]

I think you already know this, but these organisations or shelters need funds to care for the doggies. Most of the time, these dogs are vaccinated and spayed/neutered. These things cost money and the rescue group needs to make this money back.

I also think that dogs cost a lot of money in their lifetime and when someone has trouble paying that much money to acquire the puppy, they should perhaps look at what the dog is going to cost them in the long run. How will they afford emergency vet bills if they can't pay for the puppy. I think that the adoption fee is a way for the shelter to see who is serious about the dogs.

For me, dogs are very valuable and I would reconsider getting a dog if I couldn't afford the adoption fee.

[Britster]

I agree.
I've seen some Yorkies for adoption for ridiculous prices on petfinder.com.
EVERY shelter in my area has dogs available for adoption and they all under $350.

It is very easy to take care of shots, neutering/spaying, etc at a cheap price, especially if you are a shelter or rescue organization. The spay clinic where Jackson got neutered was $65 for dogs under 45 pounds and they give even bigger discounts to the rescues. The rabies vaccine was only $7 there.

I understand they need to make their money back and then a little bit more... but you should know getting into rescuing that you may very well LOSE money and you shouldn't be in it for the money, but for finding these animals homes.

It's not that people are not capable of paying $850-$1000 for a dog... but when you're RESCUING and adopting a dog, you shouldn't have to pay that much. You're getting a dog that you don't know it's history most of the time, could have a lot of behavioral issues, need a lot of house breaking and socialization, etc. Not all the time, but a lot of times rescue dogs are like that. I'm capable of buying a dog for $1500 but why do that if I can get a dog exactly the same and healthy for $400? Just because I don't want to pay that much for the dog itself does not mean that I can't afford to care for a dog and it's emergencies.

Now, I don't like when people ask for "free" or "cheap" dogs on Craigslist, etc, because then yes... if you can't afford that, then you probably can't afford a dog, and it could be being placed in a terrible home because the person just wanted a dog for free, etc. But with a rescue, they usually thoroughly look into the adoptive homes and make sure they are a right fit... so a cheap fee is acceptable.

Also, most rescues are 501(c)3 foundations, which means they are tax deductible, and can hold fundraisers, take donations, to make money for the animals.

[capt_noonie]

[BaileyGates]

Originally Posted by Britster

I agree.
I've seen some Yorkies for adoption for ridiculous prices on petfinder.com.
EVERY shelter in my area has dogs available for adoption and they all under $350.

It is very easy to take care of shots, neutering/spaying, etc at a cheap price, especially if you are a shelter or rescue organization. The spay clinic where Jackson got neutered was $65 for dogs under 45 pounds and they give even bigger discounts to the rescues. The rabies vaccine was only $7 there.

I understand they need to make their money back and then a little bit more... but you should know getting into rescuing that you may very well LOSE money and you shouldn't be in it for the money, but for finding these animals homes.

It's not that people are not capable of paying $850-$1000 for a dog... but when you're RESCUING and adopting a dog, you shouldn't have to pay that much. You're getting a dog that you don't know it's history most of the time, could have a lot of behavioral issues, need a lot of house breaking and socialization, etc. Not all the time, but a lot of times rescue dogs are like that. I'm capable of buying a dog for $1500 but why do that if I can get a dog exactly the same and healthy for $400? Just because I don't want to pay that much for the dog itself does not mean that I can't afford to care for a dog and it's emergencies.

Now, I don't like when people ask for "free" or "cheap" dogs on Craigslist, etc, because then yes... if you can't afford that, then you probably can't afford a dog, and it could be being placed in a terrible home because the person just wanted a dog for free, etc. But with a rescue, they usually thoroughly look into the adoptive homes and make sure they are a right fit... so a cheap fee is acceptable.

Also, most rescues are 501(c)3 foundations, which means they are tax deductible, and can hold fundraisers, take donations, to make money for the animals.

[livingdustmops]

Do you have a website for this rescue? I would like to see it and the organization.

Thanks.

[FlDebra]

I see both sides of this. The goal of a rescue is really not to find cheap dogs for people who cannot afford the prices a breeder charges. They are to find a good home for a dog in need. Some of the dogs cost thousands in medical care before they are ready to be adopted out. I know some of the prices seem high, but if it is a REAL rescue, they are not making money. Now, there are some unscrupulous sellers out there calling themselves a rescue just so they can sell unpapered dogs for a top dollar. Beware of that! But when a rescue puts a price on a dog, it is with the entire operation in mind. Yes, they want to find a good home for the dog, but they are not necessarily trying to give out "good deals." When a person adopts a rescue, it should not be with the idea they are getting a bargain. It should be that they want to provide a home for a dog in need. JMO.

[roxies_mom]

I guess our local shelter is now asking 100 dollars for cats. I adopted from them a few times in the past but the most I paid was 50 dollars. That was about 15 years ago. Plus I had to take them to the vet to be fixed and the vet had to show proof to the shelter via paperwork that it was done. I don't know how they do it now. But if you still have to have everything done it's kind of pricey for a cat. I can understand if everything is done already.

[mscat]

Keep looking around at dfferent shelters . There are probably several in your area and rescue groups. Each having their own different prices. Rehoming fees are going to vary. It's getting the dog into a perfect home. I am unsure if it is relaly about the specific breed .However, Yorkies are the #1 most popular breed in the U.S. A 2-5 yr old Yorkie from a shelter or rescue group needing a good home, that you get approved for may be ideal for your and your family. Remember that price should not be the biggest concern when bringing home any dog .

[mnewco]

I agree with you and I can't see paying that much to a rescue when you can put some money to it and get one from a good breeder.

You should do what I did and that is buy an older Yorkie. They don't cost a lot like the puppies do because everyone wants a puppy. The one I am picking up is 2 yrs old and she comes with a sweet personality already built in so I know what I am getting and she is housetrained on pee pads. One less thing I have to concentrate on. All I need to do is concentrate on loving her and taking real good care of her.

Many breeders are looking for great homes for their retired dogs and that is great because they are already trained and probably spayed or neutrered already.

Hope this helps.

[mamartini]

I agree that it is ridiculous that some rescues charge so much for there dogs. Yes they may have to have a lot of medical attention but again they are non profit and get donations and things like that. There is no reason to charge so much.

Whether or not you can afford the cost up front to me does not say to me good or bad owner. It does not make a difference because circumstances could change and the richest person monetarily today could be broke tomorrow. If you love and take care of your puppies then that is all they need. If you take care of there medical needs as they come up then that is all that is necessary. Maybe if we didn't have to put so much out upfront we wouldn't be so strapped when it came to the medical end.

[Marilize]

All the posters have really great points. Thinking about it, our shelters have raised their prices as well. It is now between R350 and R450 that you have to pay for a rescue dog. Problem for me is, they don't have purebred dogs. Not even one. And no yorkies. I have never seen a yorkie in a shelter - I think they are so popular that if they get lost, you will have to fight with the 'new owner' to get your dog back. That is why I microchip mine.

Anyway, I agree that a rescue dog shouldn't cost as much as a purebred puppy, but I also understand the rescue shelter's standpoint. I used to volunteer and foster, so I am partial to shelters.

In the case of SA, I think they are raising the prices to instill a sense of value in the pet. We have a lot of people who neglect and abandon their animals, so trying to get the public to see that these animals have value may change a few things.

Hehe, incidentally, R350 translates to about $44. I think that makes my opinion invalid

[sandyapk]

Los Angeles County Animal Control Shelter occasionally has yorkies. They do not have papers, but you can tell they are pure bred. Does New Jersey have shelters that are run by the county? It is a hit or miss thing here, and it is hard to actually get one. I tried for over a year to rescue a yorkie at the shelter. They spay or neuter the dogs, update all shots and charge 78.00 for any dog. With the economy here in California there are many pure bred dogs people are giving up. Our local shelter does not let rescues take dogs unless no one expresses interest in them. The shelter also gives you a voucher for a free visit to a local vet to check the dogs health more closely.

It is a nice way for people to get a dog without spending thousands. The gamble is there for unseen health or behavior issues. They will let you return the dog within 30 days if things don't work out and you have 90 days to find a replacement.

[Bellaandhelen]

I adopted and the adoption fee for my little Bella would probably have been one the OP thought was outrageous. But here is my reasoning- the rescue organization is doing wonderful work, they take on dogs with complex expensive medical conditions and often end up fostering those dogs for the rest of their lives. The rescue charged more in adoption fees for healthy yorkshire terriers because they know that yorkies are so desirable and they need to offset the costs of the more medically demanding fosters and the fosters that become permanent. My decision to adopt rather than buy from a breeder was not a financial one. I know that the healthy cute puppies from reputable breeders will all find good homes. I wanted the opportunity to give a wonderful life to a yorkie that maybe didn't have it good for the first part of his/her life. And through the fee, I feel like I was making a donation to all those other dogs and to the rescue being able to save more furbabies from bad situations and high kill-shelters. I continue to donate to this rescue when I can. Bella has brought me so much joy and I am thankful for her everyday. And though I don't have a lot of experience, I somehow think these little adopted babies are even more special and loving- it's like they really appreciate the lives they have now and love you even more for it. I would have paid three times as much for her In fact- I don't think there is a price I could put on what she means to me.

All I can say is that I have no regrets about what I paid for adopting Bella, but I know that what's right for me is not necessarily right for everone else. I wish you luck in finding the perfect doggie for you.

[tammy8833]

Originally Posted by Britster

I agree.
I've seen some Yorkies for adoption for ridiculous prices on petfinder.com.
EVERY shelter in my area has dogs available for adoption and they all under $350.

It is very easy to take care of shots, neutering/spaying, etc at a cheap price, especially if you are a shelter or rescue organization. The spay clinic where Jackson got neutered was $65 for dogs under 45 pounds and they give even bigger discounts to the rescues. The rabies vaccine was only $7 there.

I understand they need to make their money back and then a little bit more... but you should know getting into rescuing that you may very well LOSE money and you shouldn't be in it for the money, but for finding these animals homes.

It's not that people are not capable of paying $850-$1000 for a dog... but when you're RESCUING and adopting a dog, you shouldn't have to pay that much. You're getting a dog that you don't know it's history most of the time, could have a lot of behavioral issues, need a lot of house breaking and socialization, etc. Not all the time, but a lot of times rescue dogs are like that. I'm capable of buying a dog for $1500 but why do that if I can get a dog exactly the same and healthy for $400? Just because I don't want to pay that much for the dog itself does not mean that I can't afford to care for a dog and it's emergencies.

Now, I don't like when people ask for "free" or "cheap" dogs on Craigslist, etc, because then yes... if you can't afford that, then you probably can't afford a dog, and it could be being placed in a terrible home because the person just wanted a dog for free, etc. But with a rescue, they usually thoroughly look into the adoptive homes and make sure they are a right fit... so a cheap fee is acceptable.

Also, most rescues are 501(c)3 foundations, which means they are tax deductible, and can hold fundraisers, take donations, to make money for the animals.

thanks you said everything i was thinking
there are alot of breeds that dont cost 800.00 and people are able to properly care for them their entire life span. so i dont think that was a fair remark. to say if you cant afford 800.00 then you cant afford to care for it. because its just not true.

i think the yorkie rescues are great but i also think they might take adavange of people asking that high of a price because they are yorkies. yes it cost to run the rescue, unless its a extremely ill dog or senior dog it shouldnt cost them more then 200.00 to ready them for adoption...rescue's get great deals on spay/neutre...you are looking at 40.00 tops, vaccinations 5.00 (they do them their selves alot of times, and i have worked for rescues so i know they do that. dewormers 5-10.00......exam was probably free or at low cost because they use their vet so frequently...now if they had a major medical condition that the rescue cared for and paid for i can understand a 500.00 adopt fee to try and recoup the money but they should also make execptions on that fee if a GREAT home comes available and the person is short say 100.00 bucks