Adoption fees
Adoption fees help cover the medical care of the animal while he or she waits for a new home, as well as food and transportation costs. These fees help to provide care for the other animals in the shelter or rescue group who may have medical bills that are much higher than any possible adoption fee. The money also acts as a donation to help support the organization as a whole, allowing the group to continue its efforts to rescue and rehome pets.
An adoption fee can end up saving you money! Shelters and rescue groups usually cover initial veterinary costs to prepare the pet for a new home. Adoption fees often include:
- Veterinary wellness visit and exam $50-100
- Spaying or neutering $150-300
- Distemper vaccination $20-30×2
- Rabies vaccination $15-25
- Heartworm test (for dogs) $15-35
- Feline Leukemia/FIV test (for cats) $30-50
- Flea/tick treatment $50-200
- Microchip $50
- Deworming $20-50
- Collar and an identification tag $5-10
TOTAL: $425-880
Free pets usually come with no medical care, so while you may initially save on an adoption fee, the medical costs will add up quickly. Pets acquired from other methods may not be spayed or neutered and may not have a full set of vaccinations, adding to the expense.