Weird pricing at shelters.

Laurelin

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#21
Holy cow these prices. We charged $90 for a fully vaccinated and spayed/neutered dog that was UTD on shots. Flat price across the board. I guess I assumed kill shelters would be about the same anywhere. I assumed the $300+ were going to be rescues that foster dogs, that kind of thing.

I just checked that shelter now and they've changed policies (a lot for the better, like not killing all pit bulls).

Now they are:

$95 for dogs
$125 puppies
$150 purebreds (dumb imo. What if the purebred is old or something? I would think a small mixed puppy would be more 'valuable' than a senior purebred)
$50 cats
$95 kittens
 
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#22
Our shelter is $120 across the board for local adoptions. When we do transport, though, the prices can vary from 175-400. Then again, its not cheap to drive a van fullof dogs 17 hours each way.
 

Whisper

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#23
I kind of have an issue with shelters charging a huge amount for purebred puppies, when you can't even tell they are purebred at such a young age. Fable could have been $300 if she came from a different shelter because they were convinced (and convinced me) she was a purebred GSD. Well, for starters at two years old she's like 20 pounds. . .
Honestly, for people who don't know or don't care, it really runs the risk of sending them off to find a crappy breeder as well. There are people charging $200 - $300 for their purebred, albeit badly bred puppies, and without the hassle of an adoption application.
 

Maxy24

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#24
Around here (in MA we don't have many kill shelters, so these are rescue/no kill shelter prices) puppies are usually $350-450, adults are less, seniors less. I don't think I've seen higher prices for purebreds but I'm sure it happens. I don't have a problem with the prices assuming the dog is altered (or they give a voucher for a free alter when the pup is old enough). I mean it's not like dogs aren't getting homes because of the prices. Tucker was $450 and had like 12 applications the day after he was put up on petfinder. If the prices get in the way of dogs finding homes then that's different.


On the other hand I can see how it's a problem if people go to a BYB instead of a shelter because a BYB is cheaper (and sometimes easier). But I don't know, should shelters really be thinking about out competing BYBs?
 
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#25
I paid $175 for Astro, in cash. He was about 12 weeks old I think - still a fluffy puppy. That's the same that particular shelter charges for any dog, be it puppy or senior, purebred or mix. The same shelter charges $50 for kittens, $20 for adult cats.

I thought it was a steal, honestly. I'm guessing his foster family and the rescue put WAY more into his litter than what they got back in adoption fees, considering the whole lot was speutered (which I wish hadn't been done so early, but what's done is done and I understand why they did it), had regular deworming and the first vaccination set, and the mama dog was in pretty bad shape/in need of intense care. I would've happily paid $300+ if it would help out the older, less "popular" dogs in the shelter.

Then again, my perception is probably skewed because I'm looking into reputable breeders and might fork out up to two grand or more for a pup in that arena. And pet store pups (eugh), from what I see in Manhattan, are also massively expensive compared to even the pricier rescues.
 

GingerKid

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#26
I kind of have an issue with shelters charging a huge amount for purebred puppies, when you can't even tell they are purebred at such a young age.
You can when they come from a puppy mill bust and the litter is registered, or if the puppy was surrendered with papers (which can happen - not all breeders are responsible enough to take back their puppies).

Raising the fee also deters people looking to "puppy flip" - adopt a small, cute, high-demand puppy for a low adoption fee and then turn around and sell it for hundreds of dollars in profit. Our shelter doesn't increase the fees on high-demand breed purebred dogs, but you do have to sign an agreement to home checks and that the dog must be returned to the shelter (and admitting fees will be waived) if you are no longer able to care for it.
 
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#27
The county shelter I volunteer at charge $70 for dogs and $40 for cats, with the fee going down to $16 for pets over the age of 6. They also lower fees the longer an animal has been there. There's been some discussion about raising fees for puppies, small breeds, etc., but hasn't really gone anywhere yet.
 

Whisper

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#28
You can when they come from a puppy mill bust and the litter is registered, or if the puppy was surrendered with papers (which can happen - not all breeders are responsible enough to take back their puppies).
Oh, yeah, when I was volunteering there was a puppy mill bust and there was absolutely no question those were purebred dogs. I'm talking more about cases like mine, where I was sent home with a "purebred" GSD. ;)
I understand it, and while I don't know if it's the best way, there absolutely should be something to push people to look at dogs that might be a little older. Your point about adopting purebreds for cheap and reselling them is a really interesting one. Never thought about that. It would be way too much trouble with some shelters, but if it was AC, all you need to do is sign a paper saying you haven't been convicted of animal cruelty in the previous three years and that you'll treat the dog well. You don't even have to return the dog if you can't keep it, you just need to find a "good home."
 
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#29
Our local Humane Society gets attacked on Facebook whenever they post young purebreds with doubled adoption fees. I understand why it frustrates people, but the fact is that people will pay it. Freak out if you want that an 8wk old American Curl kitten or a 1yr old Yorkie is $400, but if you don't want to pay it, find another kitten or dog. There's going to be a ton of people wanting those pets, and long as the screening process remains thorough, then I don't see a problem with paring down applications with a higher adoption fee.
Except people call it adoption. If we're talking about what a market will bear, to me, that is more buying.

To some degree it makes sense, but if you're "adopting" dogs for more than the BYBs in some areas are charging... you're going to have unhappy people.

Rescue/shelter/byb price ratio, I am going to have to look into that one.
 

Miakoda

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#30
Those prices.....wow. :eek:

I'm sure I'm going to offend someone, but I'm not going to pay $300-400 to adopt a mutt that may or may not be a genetic mess (my all-time favorite dog ever was a Shar Pei/Cane Corso mix from the shelter where I was volunteering, and he had the worst HD Lsu's Vet school had seen in years, and he was a special needs dog because of that issue. Not to mention the wonderful temperament you get when you cross a Shar Pei to a Cane Corso.....). Now I see why bybs and their $150-300 dogs reign supreme.
 

Miakoda

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#31
Just checked my parish's AC prices.....

Adoption Fees:
-dogs over 40 lbs - $80
-dogs under 40 lbs - $100
-cats - $70
-kittens - $90

They will also run specials here and there.

ETA:

Just checked out pricing on an animal shelter in the parish next to me. The adoption fee, for dogs and cats, is $40.

Those fees all include spay/neuter, vaccinations, fecal check, heartworm check, and a script for heartworm prevention.
 

Xandra

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#32
Now I see why bybs and their $150-300 dogs reign supreme.
Well, in my area and I imagine the other areas with pricey shelters, run of the mill black mutt puppies from a rural areas 1 hour + from the city are still often like... $400-$500.
 

Whisper

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#33
In my area common breeds like ACDs, labs, border collies - you can find purebred pups that are selling for $200-$250. Before I got Fable I came across gorgeous Aussie pups for $300 and almost wished I had no knowledge of breeding ethics. :/ Aussie want!
 
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#34
The shelter I work for charges $300 for adult dogs and $500 for puppies. But we do a lot for them and we continue to be a support system for people after they have adopted from us. These prices are also pretty reasonable for the area we're in and we will sometimes work with people on the price as well. Especially with senior dogs or dogs with health issues.

We are an open admission shelter who doesn't import at all, although more and more dogs surrendered to us are originally southern import dogs (most with fear issues :/). We don't see puppies in often and when we do we get TONS of applications from people.

Cats are $150 for adults, $200 for kittens, and $50 for seniors. We also have fee waived adoption events for adult cats 2x a year which are crazy and fun and by the end of it we usually have almost no cats left in the building :)
 

Ozfozz

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#35
The prices for the 2 shelters closest to me:
Adopt a dog $ 95.00
Adopt a cat $ 130.00

Odd that cats are more expensive o_O

The other is:
Dog $230.00 (HST not included)
Cat $150.00 (HST not included)



Rigby was $250 from a shelter an hour or so away.

However, all of these shelters ensure the dog is fully vetted/vaccinated before leaving, spayed/neutered, microchipped, and 6 weeks of pet insurance.
 

SpringerLover

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#36
All ESRA dogs are $300 which includes any necessary vet work (we do dentals, cruciates, eye surgeries, FHO... literally whatever the dog needs), vaccines, spay/neuter, and heartworm testing.

Knowing how much they put into Gabby (and that is with the discounts we get from specific veterinarians), I was very much okay with paying $300 for her.

We do have a springers for seniors program where the dogs are placed free of charge with a senior citizen as long as the owner can provide necessary veterinary care.
 

MericoX

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#37
Puppies 2-6 months = $360
Dogs 7 months to 7 years = $250
Dogs 8 years and up = $125

Kittens 0-6 months = $105
Kittens 7-12 months = $75
Cats 2-7 years = $35
Cats 8 years and older, or those that have been there longer than 3 weeks are fee waived

Transfer kittens 2-6 months = $130
Transfer kittens 7-12 months = $105
Transfer cats are $75
 

GingerKid

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#38
On the other hand I can see how it's a problem if people go to a BYB instead of a shelter because a BYB is cheaper (and sometimes easier). But I don't know, should shelters really be thinking about out competing BYBs?
Except that the cost of a puppy from a BYBs doesn't include spay/neuter (for better or for worse), microchip, ID tags, etc. and may not even include any vaccines (depending on the age of the puppies). However, all of those things are included in the adoption price of a puppy/dog at most rescues, plus more, depending on the agency. It really comes down to whether people understand the costs associated with getting a puppy.
 

Paige

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#39
Dogs here are over 300 as well I do believe. Canada seems to have higher adoption fees.
 

Fran101

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#40
Local SPCA
Dog (7 months and older): $300
Puppy (under 7 months): $500

inclues...
Adoption Counseling & Take Home Care Inf
Spay/Neuter and Rabies Vaccine
DHLPP Vaccine
Bordetella Vaccination (Kennel Cough)
Initial General Deworming
Heartworm Test
Microchip & Registration
Identification Tag
Flea & Tick Treatment or Preventive
Initial treatment for Ear Mites as Needed

Local rescue..
Our adoption fee* is $450 for dogs 3 years old or younger and $400 for dogs 4 years old and older.
The adoption fee covers vaccinations (Rabies, Bordatella, DAPP), de-worming, vetting, transport and, per MA and NH law, 48 hours of quarantine after transport. Dogs that are old enough at the time of transport will also be spayed or neutered.

There really isn't much of a homeless pet problem up here (The SPCA is kind of empty actually..like 12 dogs or something) so they do pretty well with their fees the way that they are.

BYBs aren't that popular, other than for small breeds/doodles where it's going to cost you $1000+ anyway

The only issue I really see A LOT is the infamous "good online breeder"....tiny yorkies/maltese/doodles from far off places paid into the thousands that end up, at best, shedding huge dogs and at worst, very sick.
 

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