All Dogs Heaven
Posted : 7/9/2006 9:26:22 PM
Some breed-specific rescues have high adoption fees. Others have higher adoption fees for puppies and lower ones for adults because it's one way to help off-set the costs rescues have, paying out-of-pocket for the special needs dogs and adult dogs that are more difficult sometimes to place, and definately less likely to be adopted at high adoption rates.
One reason a very reputable rescue might have what some consider a high adoption fee is because they want high-quality homes for their rescues, and feel that if someone is willing to pay a proper price for their pet, they are financially able to care properly for the dog for it's lifetime, as well. This info I've gotten from various rescues I speak with regarding their guidelines.
We personally have enacted a slightly higher adoption fee for our adoptable puppies than our adult dogs (over one year old) for the 2nd statement above....
for example....
A hw+ beagle we have has cost us $400 to care for and vet and cure... not to mention the time consumed and feeding and training involved to help this 4-5 yr old be a good fit to someone's home as an indoor member of the family. Does anyone here feel willing to pay a $400 adoption fee to cover this pup's vetting costs? No of course not.
So, though the costs for a young, healthy, abandoned or displaced puppy under a year old is less than the adoption fee, so in essence, part of the "profit" from that adoption is placed to off-set the loss from the cost of saving the adult and placing her with a forever home that she deserves. Many rescues, even shelters, operate on this premise.
Just a thought when judging a rescue based solely on the fees they might charge for adoption.
Personally, I'd recommend getting a veterinary reference from the rescue, as well as some personal references from successful adopters, as well as asking other key questions about where they acquired the pup you might be interested in, what their guidelines are, and their follow-through guidelines once the pups are placed, to name a few key areas that will guide you as to whether they are a "good" or "bad" rescue.
Also, if they are an incorporated rescue, regardless of 501(c)3, they should have a state ID number that they should be willing and able to supply to you at request, which will give you access to their public documents like their "articles of incorporation". As well, they should most likely have an EIN number once incorporated, and I'm sure there are ways to check out a corporation using the EIN number, which they also should be willing to provide, as this is a key way for non-profits to be verified, it should also be a key way to verify some of the information about any company.