Dog shelter question?

[PinkFlamingoFrm]

I have always adopted dogs from shelters. I would much rather save a dog from a shelter than buy a purebred dog anyday. I have been contemplating getting another dog & have been looking at shelters. The last shelter dog I got was 6 years ago and cost about $100. It seems the shelters here have changed from kill to non kill shelters, which is wonderful. But they are now asking $300 for a shelter dog. Is that just a local thing? or have all shelters increased their price to the cost of a purebred puppy? I understand that they are wanting to dogs to good homes, but their paperwork to adopt is insane by itself, let alone now charging $300. Is this the new normal for shelters?

 

[sourland]

Sadly enough, this is the new 'normal' for most shelters.

 

[PinkFlamingoFrm]

Sadly enough, this is the new 'normal' for most shelters.

thats no good, i was hoping it was just a local thing. I have a feeling ALOT more dogs will be spending their whole lives in shelters

 

[bugglesmommy]

Huh. I payed 80 to adopt my purebred German shepherd. I understand rescues put a lot into getting a dog healthy and Adoptable, but 300 just seems excessive.

 

[PinkFlamingoFrm]

Huh. I payed 80 to adopt my purebred German shepherd. I understand rescues put a lot into getting a dog healthy and Adoptable, but 300 just seems excessive.

yeah, I totally understand it too. I mean they paid for my dog to be spayed, microchipped, etc when i got her. I felt $100 was fair for her. (it changed to a no kill shelter, i dont know if that has anything to do with it or not) But when I went there the other day looking at dogs, they wanted $300 for a dog up to 8 years old. Over 8 years old was $250.. It upsets me because there are so many homeless pets, and people willing to take them in, but they arent going to want to pay $300 to adopt a dog, when they can go to a breeder and get a purebred puppy for probably half of that.

 

[bugglesmommy]

I got Angel about a year ago. She was 2 years old, was spayed and microchipped. If they had asked 300 dollars then, There's no way I would have been able to drive 4 hours and adopt her. I couldn't find a gsd rescue closer. The rescue doesn't spay/ neuter and microchip until the dog has been adopted. The adoption fee paid takes care of the expenses, and the dog is free to go home once these things are done.

It took a lot of work to get Angel up in health. Being in a shelter depressed her so much she refused to eat. She nearly starved to death. She also had a negative reaction to the spaying sutures.

From there to here:

 

[PinkFlamingoFrm]

I got Angel about a year ago. She was 2 years old, was spayed and microchipped. If they had asked 300 dollars then, There's no way I would have been able to drive 4 hours and adopt her. I couldn't find a gsd rescue closer. The rescue doesn't spay/ neuter and microchip until the dog has been adopted. The adoption fee paid takes care of the expenses, and the dog is free to go home once these things are done.

It took a lot of work to get Angel up in health. Being in a shelter depressed her so much she refused to eat. She nearly starved to death. She also had a negative reaction to the spaying sutures.


From there to here:

shes beautiful! and thats a huge change! Glad you were able to get her healthy again . When I got my Kiara, she was a year old, and she was a breeder for a pit bull fighting ring, poor girl had already had a couple of litters. Ive had her almost 6 years now, and I paid $100 way back then. She was 3 days away from her "put down date" and she didnt like people.. she wanted nothing to do with me, but I knew if I didnt take her, no one would. Shes been the best dog I've ever had, super loyal & protective. She was in pretty bad shape when I got her, not physically, but emotionally. She would attack any man she saw, or animals. I was the only one that could come near her when she was eating. She was extremely hand shy. It was pretty bad. Ive gotten her to the point, FINALLY that her and my micro pig live in harmony . And my fiance can get near her when eating, but she wont let him touch the bowl.. She lets my 2 & 3 year old niece & nephew do anything they want to her, so thats a huge plus. Shelter dogs generally are alot more work because of their past, but so worth it. I would have a hard time dropping $300 on an adult dog. My next dog might be a puppy, as much as I hate to say it
Heres my lil girl

 

[bugglesmommy]

Poor girl. It makes me sad to think of what likely happened to all of her puppies. Its a good thing you saved her. Not many dogs in her situation have happy endings. Angel is the biggest wuss! She looks intimidating but she would never attack unless cornered. She saw the chicks for the first time a few days ago. Yelped and hid behind my husband. She particularly does not like skinny blondes or bearded brunette men ( makes vet visits a horrible pain). It took a few weeks to get her to leave the cat alone. (also adopted)

 

[kacklinkelly]

We have only had shelter dogs throughout the years. I noticed the same thing 2 years ago when our grandson asked for a
dog. We went looking at the possibility of adding another member to our family. I was shocked when the person told me that a small mixed dog (can't remember the age)
was $250.00. It had been about 10 years since we got our last pound puppy. Well, we chose to add chickens instead of a dog and couldn't be happier with our choice.
(3 chickens and their home made coop cost less than $250)

Our pound puppy is now 13 years old, has arthritis, one eye (due to surgery required for glaucoma) and we have been told she has a cancerous tumor. We are thankful for
each day we have with her. She seemed to get a second wind when the chickens showed up. She likes to go into their coop and eat their feed. Silly dog. If she had cost
$250.00 when we got her, we all would have missed out on the most amazing experience.

Your WGSD is beautiful. That is the breed my husband and I were interested in. Some of the shelter/rescue dogs I was researching were $400 and more depending
on their individual situations. Out of my budget.

 

[PinkFlamingoFrm]

Poor girl.

It makes me sad to think of what likely happened to all of her puppies. Its a good thing you saved her. Not many dogs in her situation have happy endings. Angel is the biggest wuss! She looks intimidating but she would never attack unless cornered. She saw the chicks for the first time a few days ago. Yelped and hid behind my husband. She particularly does not like skinny blondes or bearded brunette men ( makes vet visits a horrible pain). It took a few weeks to get her to leave the cat alone. (also adopted)

Yeah, Im so glad that I did! Maybe she was abused by people that looked like that? as for puppies, I know 3 of them made it to the shelter with her (they were gone by the time I was there). Not sure what happened to the first litter. Aww thats so funny! We have to keep Kiara way far away from the chickens, they would be an easy meal for her. Vets are no fun for me either. We actually had to switch vets 3x last time we went to the vets & it got really old explaining that I have to keep her in my vehicle until they have a room for her because she will attack any animal she feels is invading her space. Theres been times where my moms english bulldog has ventured into our yard, we are neighbors. Her bulldog has an attitude, Kiara gets along fine with her great dane. But she has picked that bulldog up by its neck so many times. Never drew blood, thank goodness, but I have had to pull her out of Kiaras mouth quite a few times. But the vets were really good with working with her on that aspect though, so I was really happy about that. My fiance wants a cat, but I'm afraid, it took 3 months to get her and Nittany, my pig to be ok without a barrier. And Nit was smart enough to hide where Kiara couldnt get her if there was an issue, I'd be so worried about a cat.