When you adopt a dog from a local rescue or shelter, there’s usually an adoption fee that you’ll need to pay before you can whisk your new pooch safely away to their forever home.
But what does the adoption fee really cover? And why do shelters ask for an adoption fee?
Read on to find out everything you need to know about shelters and adoption fees.
What Do Adoption Fees Cover?
Have you ever adopted a dog from a local shelter and wondered exactly what the adoption fee covers? Well, one of the main things that adoption fees are designed to cover is a wellness visit by a veterinarian and any associated medical costs.
This means that you know you’ll be bringing home a healthy dog.
Some of the other common things that adoption fees cover include the following:
- Vaccines (including rabies)
- Flea treatment
- Spaying and neutering (if needed)
- Food costs
- Transportation costs
If you’ve also been wondering how much adoption fees help to fund shelters, the Animal Humane Society has estimated that adoption fees successfully cover 39 percent of the cost of caring for and rehoming animals. The rest is made up by fundraising efforts and private donations.
Along with covering the costs of caring for a dog while they’re at a shelter, adoption fees can also act as a way to deter people from taking dogs from shelters and putting them in abusive and inhumane situations, such as illegal dog fights.
Why Are Some Shelters’ Fees Higher Than Others?
When it comes to the amount that a specific shelter charges as an adoption fee, there are a few reasons that go into determining the actual dollar amount.
Firstly, location can be a factor, especially for shelters that might be situated in higher rent areas.
Secondly, the number of dogs the shelter can handle can also affect the rate of the adoption fee. There’s also the issue of economy of scale if the shelter is able to bulk purchase food and essential supplies at cheaper rates.
Why Do Some Dogs Have Lower Fees?
You might have noticed that, in some cases, certain dogs and breeds seem to have lower adoption fees than others. One of the factors at play here might be a dog’s age. As older senior dogs are often harder to rehome, a lower adoption fee can act as an inducement to speed up the process.
Additionally, certain specific breeds of dog — and even certain colors of dogs — are often more popular than others. So sometimes shelters will lower an adoption rate for dogs that are perceived as being less popular.
Finally, when certain holidays come up, shelters might also run promotional campaigns to lower adoption fees or even waive them for a period of time. Many shelters also allow donors to sponsor a dog by covering all or part of their fee.
Did you pay an adoption fee when you adopted your dog? Do you think it was an appropriate amount for all that the fee covered? Tell us all about it in the comments section below!
