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1st Place
Best Dressed Photo Contest
Submitted by:
Adam W Bissey Wall, NJ
OUR ADOPTION FEES*
0 to 11 month old = $400.00
1 to 5 years old = $300.00 minimum donation
6 years old and above = $200.00
minimum donation
We appreciate any additional contribution you may
be able to make.
**Your adoption fee is refundable if the dog is returned to the rescue within
10
days from the date of rescue. Between 11 days and 30 days you would
receive your adoption fee minus $30.00. After 30 days although we would still want the
dog returned to us, no refund will be given. Effective 01/07
"Rescue's Adoption Fees Are Too High"
Every Rescuer has heard it. The argument that if we really cared about finding
"Good Homes", we would give the dogs away. There are folks who will tell us they
could go to a Pet shop and purchase a dog for just a little more then the
adoption fee. So what is the adoption fee paying for?
RESCUE'S FEES TOO
HIGH
The assumption that Rescue is a business, or that Rescuer's make a profit from
suffering, could not be further from the truth. While not all Rescue Groups are
created equally, regardless of the size or breed of dog you are looking for,
most will ask for a donation to adopt ranging from $200 to $300 dollars.
If a Rescue Group
takes in a healthy pet that costs a minimal amount to make ready for adoption,
the "profit" from that animal is applied to the vetting costs of the many others
who are not as fortunate. When a dog comes into Rescue, funds must be spent on
neutering/spaying, vaccinations, (Rabies, DHLPP, Bordatella), screening for HW
and a fecal. Vetting expenses on a healthy animal can run as high as $175 and
more with the larger breeds. The truth is the majority of found/stray/rescues DO
require additional vetting. Worming is almost always a necessity. Rescuers treat
HW positive animals, pay to set broken bones, to treat illnesses and
injuries---providing treatment the original owners either didn't choose to or
could not afford. Rescuers may do whatever is necessary, and it can often take
several months to return an animal to good health. It is not unusual for the
costs of this care to run from $450-$1000 per dog. Most Rescuers do this without
benefit of financial backing or resources, choosing to spend money in saving
lives, rather then on themselves. I do not know of any Rescue group that makes a
profit, or comes anywhere close to breaking even.
Rescuers will
foster these animals in their homes, making them part of the family while
providing care and training. The animals will be screened for behavioral and
health issues, those issues addressed, and every attempt is made to make the
best possible match with adopting families. Rescuers spend hours on the computer
each day seeking the perfect home, help for a dog, or transport from shelter to
Rescue or Rescue to forever home. Setting up transports for these animals may
take weeks to arrange, and require 100's of emails. Phone bills are frequently
outrageous, as Rescuers still find it necessary to call shelters and vets that
lack email capabilities, to interview prospective adopters and check their
references.
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