Today we received an email from a woman very interested in adopting Justice and wanted to know her age and price. Erica responded with our adoption process, that she is just over a year old and her adoption fee is $250. (Note: The wonderful Rocky Moutain Great Dane Rescue charges $350 for a pure great dane under 2 years of age, just for comparison since we are an all breed rescue.) Justice has been vet checked, heartworm tested (negative) and started on preventative, Capstar for fleas and flea/tick treatment, nails trimmed, updated on all vaccinations, micro-chipped and spayed.
This woman responded that there were breeders selling AKC registered Great Danes for the same price, so she would just go there.
REALLY?? Obviously she has no clue. I am not sure what breeder she is speaking of, but I would be shocked if they are that cheap. Is the dog from the breeder current on vaccinations, vet checked, heartworm tested/on prevention or spayed? Oh well, spayed probably isn't an issue.
Does she have any clue that if she buys a dog from a breeder for (give her the benefit of the doubt) $250 that should she choose to properly vet her dog what the cost would be? As a rescue we get significant discounts, so the following numbers are from our vet: Heartworm test $35, Nail Trim $9, Micro-chip $40, Distemper/Parvo $20, Bordatella $20, Rabies $25, Capstar $5, spay for a great dane - anywhere from $250-$500 depending on weight. So on top of her purchase price, she would still have to spend $400-550 plus monthly heartworm prevention and flea/tick prevention to appropriately vet the dog. AND there is no guarantee the dog is healthy. Treating a great dane for heartworms could cost $700+ alone.
So $250 for a healthy, sweet, loving great dane from a rescue or $250 for a great dane from a breeder with no further information?
And seriously, who can deny this face?
We who are immersed in the rescue and homeless pet world (and I'm still a fringling really) take for granted what we've learned about the costs of the effort, the importance of spay/neuter, the availability of amazing full-breed dogs of all ilk in addition to the mixed breeds we love as much. We will just keep educating as and when we can. Meanwhile, give a hug and big smooch to this beautiful face for me.
ReplyDeleteShe should come to our part of the country, you can't adopt a mixed breed for that money, let alone try for a breeder.
ReplyDeleteWe have rescued twice from Sheltie Rescue and I have never complained about the costs. Both dogs were given medical care, spayed/nuetered, and had to be housed and fed during their time in rescue. Not to mention the costs of finding homes. We continue to send donations because we realize there is a cost far beyond what we paid for our very special family members. There is always the next one that requires help and the costs are not getting cheaper. Sadly do the economy they have lost some of their fosters.
I think the previous poster made a point. There are many who have no idea what it costs to prepare a dog for its new home and think that the dogs should be free to a new owner.