Adoption fees help cover the medical care of the animal while he or she waits for a new home, as well as food and transportation costs. These fees help to provide care accumulative care for the other animals in the shelter or rescue group who may have medical bills that are much higher than any possible adoption fee. The money also acts as a donation to help support the organization as a whole, allowing the group to continue its efforts to rescue and rehome pets.
An adoption fee can end up saving you money by covering initial veterinary costs to prepare the pet for a new home.
Adoption fees often include:
- Veterinary wellness visit and exam $55-105
- Spaying or neutering $155-325
- Distemper vaccination $22 – 40×2
- Rabies vaccination $25-40
- Heartworm test (for dogs) $22-42
- Feline Leukemia/FIV test (for cats) $65-73
- Flea/tick treatment $56-205
- Microchip $57
- Deworming $27-58
- Collar and an identification tag $15-25
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
- You must be at least 18 years of age to adopt an animal.
- A current photo ID is required to process an adoption.
- All dogs and cats must be spayed/neutered—which the shelter is legally required to do—before going to their forever home.
- All dogs and cats must have a microchip implanted in them for identification purposes.
- A home visit appointment may be required.