dogs from shelters

Amen, Terrie! I actually adopted both Deuce and Francis. Deuce from an individual and Francis from St. Francis Animal Hospital. I didn't have to pay anything up front for either of them, but I'm sure the next dog I adopt will be from a shelter. I don't mind paying the fee to adopt because it truly does help offset other costs of the shelters. Izzy is so cute and I'm glad she's part of your family!

Jed and I both came from the shelter. Mom can't remember how much we cost, but it was minimal. Mom is a big fan of shelter dogs, she says we are the best. :) I love my mom.

I am a shelter girl and was going to be put down. they hadn't even spayed me or gave me any shots and I needed surgery on my hip, I am glad my mom saw passed the filth and stink, to see what a good loving girl I was. She decided to save the shelter money and paid a vet for all my care. She says I am her best friend.

I'm a rescue from adopt a lab, they got me from a shelter after my babies were adopted cause no one wanted a old dog. And my cost was well worth it mom says.

Beauregard and I were both at the Humane Society of Indianapolis, brought in as strays. And we are obviously superior to all others, even other beagles. *sniff*

Congrats on the new dog. She is adorable! You're right, it does take a lot of money to take care of animals in shelters and rescues. However, I think it's wrong to charge what should be an adoption fee based on the animal's cuteness and desirability. HSI is infamous for having a sliding scale with the smallest youngest dogs going for up to $400 while the "mutts" are around $105. Shelters and rescues should have a set adoption fee for their dogs. It should be the same unless the dog incurred some extraordinary medical expenses. If they charge different amounts for different dogs, then they are sellling rather than adopting. This can cause people to go to pet shops and buy mill dogs. Many people would see that $300 and think that it's too high for a rescue dog. They might think if they're going to spend that much $$,why not go to the pet store? There you can get the exact kind of puppy that you want. It will probably come with some sort of registration papers(probably a mill registry but they won't know any better). It won't have issues that an adult dog might have, etc. I don't personally believe any of that but I know about mill dogs and pet shop puppies. Many people still do not and that is their way of thinking. I can understand breed specific rescues having a higher overall adoption fee but I don't agree with the all breed groups that charge a different fee based on the dog's cuteness factor. The group I work with charges $125 no matter what. I know that Blitzen's vet care was over $400 before we adopted him but he was still $125. Cocoa did have an extra $10 tacked on to her fee(usually $85) because she had a dental with extractions in addition to her pyometra, spay and antibiotics. Both of them appear to be purebred dogs but luckily the rescues were not into retailing their dogs. Please don't tak this personally Terri. I think it's great that you adopted her and she's adorable. I just wish shelters would follow a set fee and not discourage people from adopting with their higher fees for cuter dogs.

What an adorable baby! I'm so glad you chose a shelter dog. Both of mine are shelter dogs, and I love them dearly. Charlie came from ACC, and was such a mess when I got him. My sleek black little guy hadn't been brushed (or petted?) is so long that he was grey and fuzzy. He was a bit rough around the edges, but you could just tell there was a good little boy in there just waiting to come out. I'm not sure there's anything more rewarding that saving these babies lives!

I feel the same way. I don't understand why HSI and Southside charge so much for certain breeds of dogs. ARPO charges the same amount for dogs, no matter what breed they are.

I kinda feel both ways...why not charge "what the market will bear" and make the extra money for the shelter when you can? The ones that won't go so soon get lower pricing...that's normal marketing, I guess :)
And yes, Charlie was from ACC and Rex, a rescue from a vet, Daisy from IGPRescue, Puma from CatsHaven, and Grace from a private rescue (i.e. found).