No, you can never adopt a dog for free. Now you say: but low-kill shelters offer free-adoptions?
Indeed, events like “clear the shelter,” discounts, and free-adoption fairs make adoption seem free. But is it?
Perhaps the rescue homes let go of the adoption fee. Even at that, they are other expenses you will accrue along the way.
So, sorry to burst the bubbles. But no adoption is free. That said, how much can you expect to dissipate? Or should you purchase one with a breeder?
Let’s find answers to your questions as you keep reading.
How Much Does It Cost To Adopt A Dog?
A better way to put the question would be, how much are you willing to spend to acquire cute canines? A few bucks? Or you’re ready to spend the grand?
See what to expect:
Adoption Fee
This expense is the “free” package most homes offer to you. And it does not even always happen like that.
Only city shelters or well-meaning private homes would let out a dog to you for free or on discounts. Even at that, the condition depends on the kind of dog you want to adopt.
For purebred and puppies, for example, you can expect that the fee will be relatively expensive. For seniors of more than ten years, adoption is often free.
Nevertheless, adopting a dog is cheaper than purchasing one. The most you’d spend on the former is $500 (averagely), while you could part with as high as $3500 on the latter.
Local Registration Fee
After adoption, you’ll yet register your dog at a local council. Now the fee depends on if you had de-sexed your pet. De-sex?
Desexing means castration for a male and spaying for a female. In essence, your dog won’t be able to breed.
So, if you’d de-sexed your dog, the one-time local registration charges would be around $58. For a dog you haven’t castrated or spayed, the fee could go as high as $210.
Now, shelters often de-sex their dogs compared to breeders. So, adoption remains the cheaper option.
Medical Bills
After registering your dog at a local council, you still have to pay for fixes and vaccination (against fleas, heart-worms, and ticks).
Also, this is the section you’d get check-ups and microchipping. As such, medical fees can be quite steep.
Fortunately, shelters do fixes and vaccinations for their animals. However, you’d still have to do renewals that cost about $500.
If you’d purchased the dog from a breeder, you would pay the first-time medical bills of up to $840. Then, you’d continue with the $500 renewals.
Again, shelter wins the medical-bill.
Upkeep & Training
Upkeep includes dog supplies such as food, tags, bowls, and other tools you see fit. You can’t separate adopted and purchased dogs in this instance because the spending limit depends on you.
For training, shelters have trained their dogs. All you do is get a well-behaved and obedient dog.
With breeders, you will often be the one to train the dogs, and that could cost up to $210.
Bottom line
Overall, dog adoption is not free. Even at that, it is a cheaper option than purchasing a dog.
Besides, with the former, you’ll be saving a life that could be up for euthanasia at the end of the year.
