Originally Posted by catlynnchris (Post 4024521)

Hi. I am new to this site, but my solution may be of help to you :) I recently adopted a Yorkie from my local shelter. His previous owners gave him to the shelter because of some issue with their small child. His adoption fee was only $100, and after his license and collar we left the shelter paying about $125 for him. Of course, after the first trip to PetSmart, we were already at over $200... then yesterday the vet visit, add another $80! And after today, another $40 for grooming, so we are already at about $325 for the first week of being his new parents. When you consider the cost of purchasing one from a breeder however, this is a very good alternative. Plus, because he was a rescue, Tig is already housebroken, has been through obedience training and is already at his full grown size, so we know what we have, no surprises. He has been, and will be worth every cent we spend on him in the future! Just be very cautious as some of the places that claim to be rescues, actually purchase dogs from puppy mills and breeders and then claim to have rescued them, but are really only making a profit off of a pet that just wanted a loving home. We had runs in with two places like that!!!! Your best bet is to stick to local shelters and humane societies, or choose rescues that have the same prices for the same type of animals, i.e., same prices for small dogs, same prices for large dogs, same prices for cats etc etc... if you notice a rescue listing two dogs of the same breed for different prices, they are trying to profit off of the more desirable dog and thus shouldn't be supported in their "cause". I am sure with some effort and lots of searching (it took us about 2 1/2 weeks) and being realistic with what you are looking for vs what you will actually get, you will find the little pet your daughter will love for years! Also, most rescues will not adopt our small breed dogs to homes with small children, so looking at a shelter would be better. Good luck in your search!!!! :)

Originally Posted by catlynnchris (Post 4024521)

Hi. I am new to this site, but my solution may be of help to you :) I recently adopted a Yorkie from my local shelter. His previous owners gave him to the shelter because of some issue with their small child. His adoption fee was only $100, and after his license and collar we left the shelter paying about $125 for him. Of course, after the first trip to PetSmart, we were already at over $200... then yesterday the vet visit, add another $80! And after today, another $40 for grooming, so we are already at about $325 for the first week of being his new parents. When you consider the cost of purchasing one from a breeder however, this is a very good alternative. Plus, because he was a rescue, Tig is already housebroken, has been through obedience training and is already at his full grown size, so we know what we have, no surprises. He has been, and will be worth every cent we spend on him in the future! Just be very cautious as some of the places that claim to be rescues, actually purchase dogs from puppy mills and breeders and then claim to have rescued them, but are really only making a profit off of a pet that just wanted a loving home. We had runs in with two places like that!!!! Your best bet is to stick to local shelters and humane societies, or choose rescues that have the same prices for the same type of animals, i.e., same prices for small dogs, same prices for large dogs, same prices for cats etc etc... if you notice a rescue listing two dogs of the same breed for different prices, they are trying to profit off of the more desirable dog and thus shouldn't be supported in their "cause". I am sure with some effort and lots of searching (it took us about 2 1/2 weeks) and being realistic with what you are looking for vs what you will actually get, you will find the little pet your daughter will love for years! Also, most rescues will not adopt our small breed dogs to homes with small children, so looking at a shelter would be better. Good luck in your search!!!! :)