Do you think $200 is a lot for an animal shelter to charge to adopt a dog?

I live in western pa, and I have never heard of any shelters charging that much, unless you live in or around pittsburg, I would ask what all comes with that price. most are between 50 to 75.00

$200? Not really, depending on what you're actually GETTING for what you spend.

Consider ... the initial vet-costs for a new dog typically will cost an owner at least, probably more (maybe MUCH more) than, $200. If the dog you adopt has already been spayed/neutered, vet-checked, brought up-to-date on vaccinations, those are expenses you won't have because the shelter has already absorbed them.

Many shelters also temperament-test and work on obedience and housetraining, if necessary ... again, that's something the shelter has done so that you won't have to.

In my area (Cleveland) the cost to adopt varies from approximately $60 (at the county pound) to over $400 for breed rescue or private rescue. But I'm from western PA, and I'm curious which shelter you're considering adopting from?

When you consider that the dog will be almost certainly vaccinated, vet checked, spayed/neutered and microchipped, no, that's not a lot. It would cost far more than that to have all those things done by a vet. My local shelter charges $150 for most, and I'm in a lower cost area of the USA than you.

No.

What it is in my area depends. Shelters are usually lower in price then rescues.

Dogs at rescues, from what I seen, do charge more. The one I work with the most charges $150 for mixed breeds and charges more for purebred dogs(one time they had a bull dog that they charged $900 for-but they did a lot of work on the dog, did the surgeries she needed to be healthy).

I know breed specific rescues can charge more then regular rescues too.

The charge is for the medical care the dog received(spay/neuter, vaccinations, etc) and it also goes to the shelter/rescue to help care for the other dogs they have.

Nope. This is a bargain in my opinion. They cover the costs of spay/neuter, microchips, and most full grown dogs will already have all of thier shots.

If you were to go to a (reputable) breeder you would be looking at anywhere from $1,500 to $3,500. And this would it course not cover the cost of spay/nueter, microchips or shots.

Standard adoption feed can vary depending on the area and dog/cat. $200 is what most places charge. Some can even charge more though.

No because the dog will most likely be checked up and given shots before you take him or her home so you might not have to go to private vet. Private dog breeders can charge 800 to thousands of dollars for a dog so I would say that's a bargain. My kitten was 120. The dogs are around 200 range depending on age.

First off, when you pay an adoption fee you are not "buying" the pet. You are adopting him. No, it isn't that high. If they are charging 200 he probably has up to date shots, up to date deworming, with cats they are always fixed, etc. A "free" puppy is only free until you take him home. Also, these organizations need money to keep open and caring for animals. Donations and adoptions are how they do so. I paid 150 to adopt my cat.

It seems like a lot, but you have to think..

How much were the shots for this pup?

How much was it to spay/neuter?

How much to feed and water?

Once you take these into account, $200 is way under what the dog has costed them.

Some vets will charge $400 just for shots and spay/neutering.

No. The dog will be fixed, vetted, and health checked and the money is going to help other animals not fuel the drug habit of a bad breeder.

Also was this a kill shelter, no kill shelter or rescue group.

No.

Don't forget the shelter has walked, fed, treated (medically), trained and housed this dog the entire time it has been there.

Our shelter charges around £90 - £150 depending on the dog.

Nope, they use the apobtion fees to cover health costs , shots,and help spay and neuter. They also work on the principal that if you can't afford the dog you can't afford to care for it. The rescue I work with charges $150-$350 adoption. So $200 is reasonable.