looking at some dogs on petfinder

[katie St Marie]

some of them are like 500+ bucks!!!! why is it so expensive to adopt one??? yeah i get that it cost money to run shelters but it seems like an outrageous amount to pay....

[Dr. Judith P. LaVorgna]

Hey Katie, this discussion caught my eye, I've been in rescue and rehoming almost all of my adult life...that's from cave woman days! And you better get a beverage because this will probably be a bit long!
"Rescue" is a term we apply to a dog in need of a forever home and in some way in danger (illness, debilitating disease, homelessness, etc.) In Rescue their are for profit, not for profit, low kill, high kill, no kill shelters. There are also dedicated rescue groups and organizations specific to a breed or mixed breed...Doodles, Golden Retrievers, Great Danes, Cocker Spaniels, etc.
Some shelters in America have partnerships with specific or mixed breed rescues, these partnerships allow a dog in shelter and not adopted out to the public, to then come into an organization with that, or a breed specific rescue organization. These partnerships are generally only with governmentally funded local or state shelters.

Breed specific rescue organizations also can be for profit or not for profit. While my experience has all been with not for profits, there are a few for profits who do turn their "profit" back to the dog they have under their umbrella. And that is because obtaining a 501 (c) 3 not for profit charity (IRS) can be both expensive and time consuming...they are not all "bad", just not able to complete the requirements necessary. A careful look and understanding of any rescue, it's history, how the dogs are treated, what medical support is constantly available, etc. is part of adopting a rescue dog and being a responsible dog owner.

By and large, Humane Societies function with no government funding...they rely on donations or financial gifts. They usually have a Board of Community members and local Veterinarians who donate time for sick dogs, neuter/spay programs, etc. And further, are mostly no-kill shelters...UNLESS, the dog arrives desperately ill, a reported history of biting or fighting, or has a quality of life that can not be improved by Vet care. Often community volunteers are enlisted along with trained employees to look after the dogs in care...walking them, socializing, interviewing prospective owners, etc.

Side by side with the HS, can be the local or state run funded (not funded well enough) Animal Controls or Animal Services...these are generally speaking located in "poorer" facilities, have fewer volunteers, have employees paid by the town, city, or state. AC's AS's also pick up strays, may follow up and remove dogs from reported cruely or hoarding cases, may take in dogs and cats injured in say a hit and run with the owner not known, and may, like the HS have night drop boxes where the animal is left anonymously by an owner, breeder, or...neighbor!!!! . Many of these have some volunteer Vets and some who are paid for their services. In the last five years we have seen a big swing from these being what are called "kill" shelters to "no kill shelters", especially in large metropolitan areas. We also see a general movement toward Veterinarians being the Director as well as the medical/surgical point person. Changes are underway, albeit slowly. However, many breed specific or mixed breed rescues can partner to assist these dogs to a new forever home as a shelter partner...BUT, only to not for profit rescues.

Given that information, it is important to know the public, in all cases above, generally have first choice of a dog available for rescue. As with Ned and Nancy, they were able to find their dog at a Humane Society, and after completing the forms were designated as the most appropriate family. Notice that she said she had seen Clancy at a fundraiser! That is typically the way dogs are adopted...and from word of mouth from someone who has seen the dog telling a friend or family member. They paid a higher price because of the controls for the animal that are put in place and the law of averages with regard to how much it cost the Humane Society to medically and or socially care for the dog. Had they wandered into an AC or AS and Clancy would have been there, they might have paid $60 or $70 (fee varies and can be much less).

Not to write the first great american novel on shelters, what is important to know, is a dog or a puppy MUST speak to the family, there must be a connection when one is looking in either of these places. The HS's appear to work harder at making sure these connections will be permanent than the AC's or AS's who generally have more dogs to begin with. AND, you must also understand that some HS's and AC's in a community will move a dog from an AC to an HS, or HS to AC because of it's adoptability factors...phew...lots of drama before one even gets to see a dog in shelter!

Petfinder is a plethora of all of the above and also includes the not for profit and for profits rescues. The internet has changed the way of doing business in finding a dog. I don't have to tell you why you would be looking at Petfinder...it's quick and easy if you are quick and easy to get to a shelter near you, or a shelter out of state that allows out of state adoption. But it is important to do your homework on where the dog is, how it has been cared for, is it in a foster care situation, is it caged with a matter of hours to euthanasia. Today some of the large Metropolistan AC's are putting down 200 dogs a day! That's why we see so much about spay neuter programs.

And then, there is the rehomed dog! Most under care of the owner until an adoptive family is found by the rescue group, or in foster care by a volunteer member of the breed specific organization. These fees can and will vary for a number of reasons...dog needs vetting, dog has an illness with controllable meds the owners cannot afford, illness or injury of the owner.
Rehoming, to me, is a responsible owner hopiing to find a forever home for a dog they love, or a dog with a specific issue that can be corrected by other owners (some behaviors like jumping, thyroid issues, shedding (!), kind of name it), not all bad by any stretch.

The key to finding a new member of your family is to understand how a dog is coming to you, from what location, why if they know, the general temperament and health of the dog, and more specifically...is this dog speaking to you, have you fallen in love or in great like with this particular dog, and has your family the same feeling. I may foster a dog, but I am probably not apt to tell you its owners were killed in an accident, are in jail, are getting a divorce...I am going to tell you about how this dog lives in my house with other dogs, cats, human beings, strangers. I can tell you things about this dog in an ordinary day to day life situation, cageless so to speak.

All of this is out there, all of this is before us, all of this is involved in your decision to find and adopt a new forever friend. Are there people who complete an adoption form and whom I may have in my applicant data base and then find they are not suited to the dog for one reason or another. Yes. I am a rescuer. I am not going to let a dog go to a family who may turn out to be irresponsible in one way or another and again putting this dog at risk. In the private so called not for profit rescue we can so no, and do. It's all about the dog and the dog's future life. As long as I am fostering this dog I know it is safe...I will only pass a dog to an adoptive family I know and understand will keep this dog, now a family member of "mine", however short a period. And I will require you to sign a document that tells you this dog must come back to me or to my rescue group should something happen that causes you to need to find a new, another placement. I may even want you to take the dog for 30 days on a foster to adopt situation to make absolutely sure the dog in your family is going to be a permanent part of your family. So many considerations on both sides of the door if you know what I mean. This dog may have just come out of a surgery that my rescue organization has paid $3,000 for to remove a Tonka truck from its intestines. A fee the owners couldn't afford, but wanted done and decided to turn over and rehome because of the medical cost. Will you pay that fee? No, it is part of the fluid cost of a large rescue organization that may have lesser cost for the care of tsome dogs...but the overall fee is adjusted to reflect the average cost of a dog in care, all of the dogs in care annually. These fees, unfortunately, seem to be on the increase in a decreasing economy.
And I, as a volunteer, in an all volunteer organization see or recieve no salary whatsoever. It's a labor of love...with an impact on my family and my home dogs in no small way! But it's my gift and my passion as it is with most rescue volunteers.

Are there dog captors who pose as a member of the community who purchase a dog from shelter facilities to re-sell? Yes. Can that unethical and morally sick individual involved, perhaps, in a group "get" that dog before you? Yes. If you want a certain kind of dog should you become a specialist about your local shelter sites, Yes. Visit everyday before the postings of these dogs appear on the internet or in your local newspaper?. Yes.

So, here is the bottom line. YOU are the consumer, you are the intended forever home for a dog. You must be absolutely aware of where this dog is, whether it will fit into your family and lifestyle, be able to accept the dog as a blank tablet to you, and apply the nourishment of love and safety it will require for the rest of it's life. And, be fully aware of the situation and space this dog is in at this moment, this very moment. Once you understand all of where this dog has been, is, possibly was, only then should you OR anyone adopt, rescue, or rehome a dog. Katie, I'm an old softie, I've been in rescue most of my long life,but I know plenty of people I wouldn't let walk my dog let alone adopt a dog through me. We are adding a new life to our family, however we add a dog, however much or little we pay for a dog. Many reputable rescues may lower the "advertised" price of a dog if, IF the perfect family walks into the dog's life at the perfect moment, in the perfect place at the perfect time. I'm on the other side of your search, I want to make sure, absolutely sure, no matter what you pay that this new doglet will live out its life with no more stress, worry; sadness, fear. Would you become part of my extended"family" of rescued Doods? You bet your life, but first I am going to make you do some hoop jumping to show me that you will love beyond measure this fur friend of mine....why?, because I've had to do that for this Doodle and I expect the same from any adoptive family. That makes my work different, it is full of passion
and that is what I want for the "kids" coming through me to new famiies. Over 40 years I have never had a dog returned, ever.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Beautifully explained and not too long, but just right!

[Liz Syring]

Good job, Judy. This is a topic that cannot be explained in sound bites. Great synopsis.

[Dr. Judith P. LaVorgna]

Off to a rough start but it sort of came together, congrats on yours!

[Dr. Judith P. LaVorgna]

I can't seem to get this reply to this to reply where I want it to ,*( . It is difficult to understand unless you are right in the middle of it sometimes....I hoped it helped Katie to understand...at least about the Tonka Truck and how prices can go up depending on vetting issues to deliver a perfectly healthy dog...wherever it is found. This is for Liz, Ned, Nancy and Clancy!!!!!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

You got it just right. I am sure it helped Katie because it helped me.

[katie St Marie]

Yes thank you forthe replies I did read that article as well that was prev mentioned sorry it took so long to reply!! :)

[Adrianne Matzkin]

TY Judy!!! and no, not too long!