While you are not expected to pay thousands of dollars up front, it’s important to remember that the shelter has initially paid for:

• vaccinations
• spaying or neutering
• microchip
• food and shelter

Adoption Fees:

Adopting a mature dog is generally much cheaper than adopting puppies, mostly because younger dogs need more vaccinations compared to older ones.

The adoption fees differ from one organisation to the other, but generally range between $300 to $400. The animal shelter or rescue group will not make money out of the adoption process. Most of these organisations are not funded by the government or a corporation, and rely on this money to continuously provide services, food, and shelter for homeless animals.

The adoption fee can also cover the cost for pet insurance, in case your new dog suffers from an accident or illness. However, the pet insurance included in adoption fees often expire after a month or so, which means that you will need to renew the coverage in the near future.

Costs After Adoption:

Once you have adopted a dog and paid for the adoption fee, you are expected to pay for their care and well-being. Food should be your number one priority for your new dog. There are a wide variety of dog food products to choose from which could fit your dog’s preference, dietary requirements and your budget.

• You will also need to have your dog registered by your local council (usually around $40 to $150 depending on the breed or your location).
• The dog should also receive medication for the prevention of worms and fleas (an additional $120 to $300 depending on how regularly it is required).
• Other necessities include kennels or beds (usually $100 to $200)
• Car restraints ($30 dollars or more)
• Leash, collar or harness ($40 to $100 depending on size of dog)
• Professional grooming ($70 to $150, depending on the rates of the pet salon)
• Annual health check up (usually around $100 dollars)
• Toys and treats (around $30 or more)