Explanation of the Adoption Fee

    First a word about the important role rescue groups play in the reduction of the euthanasia rate. Which, even though it has been reduced by the role of rescue groups and increased awareness of this societal issue, is still appallingly in the millions each year in the nations approx 5,000 shelters.

          Rescue groups contribute to the reduction of the euthanasia rate in shelters  in the following ways. Getting dogs out of shelters and into foster or rescue facilities to await adoption. This means the euthanasia rate can be lowered. Dogs come in daily, brought by animal control as strays, by owners that no longer want them, and by people who have found them. If there is no space, the existing dogs are euthanized for the ones coming in. 

          Another way, is that if someone finds a dog they may contact a rescue group in order to get help finding a home for the dog. This way they do not have to take the dog to the shelter. Owners often will contact a rescue group to rehome their dog so that they can avoid taking a dog to a shelter. 

            Often people that are getting a rescue dog are surprised to learn there is an "adoption fee". Almost all rescue groups have an adoption fee. The adoption fee for Akbash Rescue is between $125.00-350.00.

             The following is an explanation of the adoption fee so that understanding of the process is increased.

       Some understanding of terms is needed. When one adopts a dog from a rescue group the dog has already been "rescued" by the group. Dedicated volunteer rescuers are hard at work all day every day rescuing dogs. They then are placed up for adoption so one is "adopting" the dog that has already been "rescued" by the rescuers.

                Often when one is buying a dog from a breeder or pet store, there is an understanding of the money required to obtain the dog. People often think if they are "rescuing" a dog there are no costs. This is the misunderstanding. The dog has already been "rescued" by the rescue group volunteers,  one is "adopting" the dog, so there is an adoption fee.
                   The dog is rescued by the group, fixed all up and made safe. Then listed on the internet where potential adopters find out about the dog. Then adopters are screened, and matched to a particular dog, and an adoption takes place.

   The crucial role the adopter is playing is adopting a dog and paying the adoption fee. This then allows the rescue group to go rescue another dog and the process starts all over again.

                    The adoption fee goes 100% toward the rescue of the next dog and to recoup some of the costs involved in the rescue of a given dog. No one involved profits personally in any way. In fact just the opposite is true. Each dog that a group rescues often costs much more than the adoption fee. Here are some of the costs involved in a typical rescue.
  

      
 
   1. Boarding costs. Often there is no place to keep a dog at first. In order to get a dog safe quickly, while a place is found, boarding is the only option even though it is costly.
   2. Veterinary care. Dogs often have immediate veterinary needs, or just deferred maintenance. Often there are no shot records so all dog must be fully vaccinated. All dogs are of course spayed or neutered.
 Often fecal tests and deworming is needed.Testing for Heartworm, and in areas where positive test results are common, often rescue groups treat the dog for Heartworms. This involves expensive medicine and  care. It is not uncommon to need to treat a dog for minor ear infections or urinary tract infections or allergies....all common ailments dogs can have. Kennel cough is a dog version of the common cold that many dogs in shelters and boarding kennels get. This is treated with antibiotics a vet visit. Flea, heartworm, and tick prevention medicines are needed.
  3. Microchipping
  4. Supplies such as leashes, collars, harnesses and crates.
  5. Transportation costs including gas and overnight motel stays.
  6. Dog food


Another aspect of rescue is that sometimes huge unexpected costs are involved when a dog one has in rescue becomes ill. A litter of puppies can contract parvo or even distemper. Dogs often get a common respiratory infection called kennel cough from shelters or boarding facilities which can become serious. Accidents can occur including dogs needing treatment for being hit by a car or orthopedic issues.
   These dogs can really need a lot of financial resources to restore health. The people that are dedicated to this rescue group will help these dogs, even though they take a lot of available funds. The only people willing to do this volunteer work on a consistent basis, are exactly the people that cannot turn their back on a sick dog.

   To sum up rescue work takes money!!! They only way it can continue is donations and adoption fee's and the individual rescuers spending their own money on dogs they rescue.