[GeoGeo]

I have had many people make comments about the high fees that rescues charge. That they can just go to the pound and get a dog really cheap or get a free dog from an ad in the newspaper. I just wanted to comment on the reason that rescues charge those fees.

When you get a dog from a rescue (Florida Dachshund Rescue for example), the dog has been to the vet. The fee is to help with the cost of getting the dog up-to-date on their shots, for dental cleaning, extractions if needed, for surgical procedures, for treatment of skin issues, for heartworm treatment, for any medical issue that the dog might have.

When you get a dog from the pound or an ad in the paper, the dog more than likely will not have been to the veterinary so you don't know their health. You will have to pay around the same amount or more to take that new dog to the vet.

I can speak from experience. I took in a little dog that was used for breeding by the previous owner. The dog had never been on heartworm preventative and the only shot it got was the state required rabies shot. So I had to take the dog to the vet myself for a check-up, shots, dental cleaning, neuturing. Let me tell you that I paid more for that "free" dog than if I had adopted through the rescue. My saying is "A free dog ain't free." I have the vet bills to prove it.

So for anyone who doesn't like the fees that rescues charge, please consider what those fees are for. It is not so the rescue can get rich. The fees usually do not even fully cover the vet bills. So please consider a rescue animal.

[Finallyfree]

Lake County Humane Society, $50.00 for cats, (I think the price is $60.00 for dogs. Our kitten was neutered, had all shoots and had been seen by a vet with med chart available. This is a no kill shelter as well. It was one of the cleanest animal facilities I have ever seen,absolutely no smell. The staff was very informative and knowledgeable. It was apparent they loved the animals. Some may consider $50.00 a lot, but our little guy is worth every cent.

[salpal]

Adopted two little guys (dogs) this year from 2 different rescues. One was $250, the other $175. The one that was $175 had received over $500 in veterinary care prior to our adoption! The day after we adopted him, took him to our vet and vet gave him a clean bill of health! So, the $175 was cheap. Now, getting someone to babysit them once in awhile...not cheap.
Besides, it is the only time you can buy love.

[Trayderjoe]

We have adopted both ways. Our local humane society in New Jersey was well cared for and had volunteer vets who checked the dogs out for them. We also adopted two dogs through rescue groups. Please consider either choice, there are many friends looking for their forever homes!

[Sable99]

I got my two cats from my Michigan vet for a donation. The cats were still kittens and the vet gave them both a clean bill of health and all of their shots. I later paid to have them fixed.

Last week, I found a beautiful grey and white kitten in our yard. I knew I couldn't keep her as I didn't want to travel with three cats back and forth to Florida. I took her to my vet to see if she had a microchip but unfortunately I didn't have the kitten checked out. A friend took the kitten for her kids -- particularly her 7 year old daughter! Yesterday, I got a text from my friend. She took the kitten to our vet to be checked out. That beautiful kitten had ear mites, a sinus infection and feline leukemia! The vet said they had no other choice than to put the kitten down. I am heartbroken for the kitten but especally for my friend's daughter!

I really regret not having the vet check out that kitten last week. The kitten didn't show any signs of beig ill. It was friendly and beautiful. My 2 cats weren't around the kitten much but I had them tested today for feline luekemia. So far, so good!