This is the question most people considering a dog adoption in San Diego ask. The whole purpose of an adoption is to give a homeless dog a forever loving home. Why then would animal shelters charge adoption fees? Typically the adoption fees range from $100 to $300. This amount might seem like a lot until you understand the reasons behind the fees. In this post we will be looking at the real reasons why the adoption fees are charged.
Pay for the shelter’s expenses
One of the main reasons you are required to pay a small fee during a puppy adoption is to offset some of the expenses the animal shelter incurs when rescuing and caring for the dog. The adoption fees are meant to pay for the expenses of the dog as well as benefit the organization you are adopting from. When you pay the fee, you will basically be helping the organization settle costs related to the following things:
- Spaying or neutering
- Micro-chipping
- Deworming
- Vaccines
- Dog food
- Heartworm prevention
- Flea prevention
- Facility costs which include taxes, mortgage and rent
- Staff costs. Most organizations work with volunteers but will have a few paid full-time employees
The fees that are charged are justifiable. However, you need to smell a rat if the organization charges you a fee that is more than $300. In this case you need to ask what the fee covers. If the high fee is not justifiable, there is a good chance you are considering a dog rescue in San Diego from an organization that is not reputable. The best action to take here is to consider a different animal shelter or rescue group.
Prove the adopter is committed
The adoption fee is charged to help the organization determine if they are dealing with a committed new dog owner. Owning a dog costs money and the shelter wants to make sure that you are not a stingy person. The good news is that you don’t have to be wealthy to own a dog. You must, however, be able to raise enough money to provide the essentials for your dog. Charging adoption fees has been found to deter some would-be irresponsible dog owners from making impulsive decisions to adopt pets they cannot care for.
The adoption fee is worth every penny, just ask anyone that has gone through with a dog or puppy rescue. The decision is life-changing and comes with rewarding experiences. You just need to find a good shelter to adopt from and choose the dog breed that is right for you.