Looking to adopt a dog (lawyers, neighbourhood, pit bulls)

[mr&mrssunshine]

you do make a very good point, when Mrs S was looking for #3 (specifically a boston) she tried all the 'specialist' rescues...one had a dog she was interested in but required a $50(maybe $100) 'registration fee' before you got the details...and guess what once she registered the dog became 'unavailable'....con ? Oh yea.....we have also heard that rescues , 'rescue' dogs from pounds then charge high fees, so I totally hear ya......surely its about saving lives not huge profits...oh yea sorry this is Florida !!!

as for Pits, our little girl is one an she is the sweetest thing, they get a bad rap thanks to gangstas and Michael (may he rot in hell) Vick.........

I hope you end up with a good dog...it could be a life saved

[coastal chic]

As stated above, I am a volunteer for a breed specific rescue group, and trust me when I tell you, there is no profit in rescuing animals. Some of the dogs that are relinquished to us, are there because they have a medical condition the previous owners could not afford (we do patella surgeries, brain surgeries, diabetes diagnosis and meds, long-term behavior therapy, socialization, spay/neuter, heart worm therapy, etc etc). The orthopedic, neuro, and heart surgeries costs THOUSANDS of dollars.

The young healthy dogs we receive, require little in the way of medical costs, but we do thorough interviews, home visits, reference checks, and foster the animals (provide food, heart worm preventive, flea/tick preventives) and generally wait for the perfect adopter for the dog. It is a lot of work. Every dog is thoroughly checked by a Vet, sprayed or neutered, dental cleaning if required, vaccinated, etc.

The adoption fees charged are lower for older dogs or those requiring medical attention, and could be qualified as subsidized rates, as the money received for healthy or younger dogs is higher to make up for the medical costs incurred for the unfortunate ones. It is very difficult to adopt out an old or sick dog, and the longer we have them in foster care, the higher their care costs the rescue group. We never turn away any dog, regardless of age or condition, and do everything possible to save the dog.

When you adopt from a breed rescue, you are doing so because you love the breed and appreciate that group for doing whatever they have to. If you don't want to pay the higher adoption fee for a specific breed, then you can pay much lower fees for mixed breeds. Keep in mind, though, that the "no kill" shelters turn away old dogs and those in need of medical attention, in order to keep their operating fees, and adoption rates, low. Where do those high needs dogs end up? Either euthanized, on the street, or in the hands of other rescue groups whose fees are higher to compensate for the high medical costs incurred.

[the searchers]

Yesterday's (9/26/13) NBC news in Ft. Myers ran a story on insurance companies refusing to insure homes with certain breeds of dogs. I just checked their web page and there is no link to that specific story. I would think it should be in the papers eventually.

[HarborRat]

Originally Posted by coastal chic

As stated above, I am a volunteer for a breed specific rescue group, and trust me when I tell you, there is no profit in rescuing animals. Some of the dogs that are relinquished to us, are there because they have a medical condition the previous owners could not afford (we do patella surgeries, brain surgeries, diabetes diagnosis and meds, long-term behavior therapy, socialization, spay/neuter, heart worm therapy, etc etc). The orthopedic, neuro, and heart surgeries costs THOUSANDS of dollars.

The young healthy dogs we receive, require little in the way of medical costs, but we do thorough interviews, home visits, reference checks, and foster the animals (provide food, heart worm preventive, flea/tick preventives) and generally wait for the perfect adopter for the dog. It is a lot of work. Every dog is thoroughly checked by a Vet, sprayed or neutered, dental cleaning if required, vaccinated, etc.

The adoption fees charged are lower for older dogs or those requiring medical attention, and could be qualified as subsidized rates, as the money received for healthy or younger dogs is higher to make up for the medical costs incurred for the unfortunate ones. It is very difficult to adopt out an old or sick dog, and the longer we have them in foster care, the higher their care costs the rescue group. We never turn away any dog, regardless of age or condition, and do everything possible to save the dog.

When you adopt from a breed rescue, you are doing so because you love the breed and appreciate that group for doing whatever they have to. If you don't want to pay the higher adoption fee for a specific breed, then you can pay much lower fees for mixed breeds. Keep in mind, though, that the "no kill" shelters turn away old dogs and those in need of medical attention, in order to keep their operating fees, and adoption rates, low. Where do those high needs dogs end up? Either euthanized, on the street, or in the hands of other rescue groups whose fees are higher to compensate for the high medical costs incurred.

Chic, thank you for responding. We love Cavalier kings. I think it may be the only breed we could both be happy with. I'm sorry though, your rescue group is one of the worst offenders.

Right now, I can send you the link, there is a litter of 8 week old CK puppies for $450 each. Cute as hell, and local. I can pick one up today if I wanted. I did look at your website.....I'd have to jump through hoops, get on a waiting list and hope I can pay $500 for a 5 year old dog that has a history....

Now, why do they charge so much? Special care? No. Hard to take care of? No, they are great dogs. It's a more expensive dog. Rescue centers make more money on dogs like that. A pit bull or even a black lab would cost the foster parent much more in food, yet they would be much cheaper to "adopt"......get what I'm saying?

If I want a CK, and I really might....can you blame me for getting the puppy, for less money?

[klaucka]

greyhounds have very a very calm, laid-back personality. think big cats. very sweet. we have 2 - also have a pit mix who is the most loving girl ever.

[coastal chic]

Originally Posted by HarborRat

Right now, I can send you the link, there is a litter of 8 week old CK puppies for $450 each.

Now, why do they (your rescue group) charge so much?

If I want a CK, and I really might....can you blame me for getting the puppy, for less money?

HR- I think I explained pretty clearly why we charge "so much". Again, ANY rescue group that takes in ALL ANIMALS, regardless of age or health, is going to charge as much. Look at ANY breed-specific rescue group, the adoption rates are all about the same.

Cavalier puppies for $450 sounds like a steal. Until you research the breed and find out the genetic problems that are very common. Have the parents of those puppies been heart cleared? Are both parents available to view?

My first Cavalier I purchased was $1500, she is beautiful and has the traditional Cavalier temperament. I bought another one of my Cavaliers for $500 as a pup from a backyard breeder because he was "cheap and cute". Guess what....he looks like a "poorbred" and has issues with resource guarding. This is becoming more common, as dogs from puppy mill stock are being bred and sold on the cheap.

My third Cavalier was a rescue. When I rescued him, he was an owner surrender, my group neutered him, vaccinated & chipped him, and I adopted him for $400. He was 3 YO. It would have cost me $300 to have all of that done, so really I considered the adoption fee to be only $100.

I don't judge you for thinking the way you do; a lot of people do. But not everyone is interested in a puppy- many prefer not to have to take the dog out every hour until housetrained, having everything chewed on, peed on, whining at night, etc etc. For those people who want a purebred, but also want to support rescue, and don't want to go through the puppy phase, breed rescue is a wonderful alternative.

[dobiedog]

HR I totally agree with you on the money thing. Some of the rescue orgs. in Socal ask people to sponsor (give money) to help with costs then sell you a pet for a heck of a lot of money. I have always fostered dogs and found that is a good way to see if we click. My daughter for the first time in 25 years went to a breeder last year and bought a puppy. Do what your heart tells you. If I were going to buy a Doberman I would go to www.kimbertal.com, ( this is where my daughter got hers) they are in Pa. but ship all over the world. I have no ties to them but have been to their facility a few times. Good luck

[Nancy in Nokomis]

I have done a lot of rescue and - believe me - the rescues are not making a profit - just visit a vet and see what your bill is. There are just too many great dogs out there that need a home. I encourage all of you to adopt.

But - if you insist on going to a breeder - a so-called reputable breeder only breeds their dogs after they reach a certain age and only breed the dog about once or twice a year - and most charge around $1,000 to $2,000 depending on breed of dog. A good breeder will also take the dog back for the life of the dog if for some reason you cannot take care of it. They will also force you to spay and neuter the dog.

The backyard breeder dogs are inbreed and usually develop very expensive medical problems later on down the line. And - any dog sold in a pet shop comes from a horrible puppy mill where the breeder dogs live in filth and misery every day of their lives - never see the light of day and live in disgusting cages. NEVER buy from a pet store because you are just keeping those horrible people in business. And the PA Amish participate in this also.

Getting off my soapbox.....

[nphomeowner]

I agree, the PA Amish are some of the worst offenders of puppy mills. I agree, don't buy from pet stores, either rescue or a reputable breeder.

[RebelRider06]

Perhaps I didn't read every post thoroughly (only pg. 1), but I did notice negative sentiment about people who "get rid of" their dogs. Yet, no one seemed to mention a MAJOR "villain" in some of these cases: the EVIL home insurance companies! And, with this in mind, a "word of caution" to Harbor Rat. Unless you are 100% POSITIVE that you won't be needing to shop for new homeowner's insurance, I would strongly advise you NOT to adopt any dog who contains ANY PART of the many maligned breeds out there! Of course, pit bulls top the list, but that list seems to be growing and includes German Shephards, Dobermans, Rottweilers, and on and on. I have a beloved ten year old dog that I rescued 9 years ago who, because her "mix" PROBABLY contains SOME pit bull, I may have to get rid of her! How SICK and how SAD is that? I am thoroughly heart-sick and terribly depressed about this! Because I have a mortgage, I am REQUIRED to carry HO insurance! What is a person supposed to do in a case like this? If I can figure out how to post a photo of her, I will. It will break your heart!