The assumption that rescue is a business, or that they make a profit from suffering, could not be further from the truth.
If a Rescue Group takes in a healthy pet that costs a minimal amount to make ready for adoption, the "profit" from that animal is applied to the vetting costs of the many others who are not as fortunate. When a dog comes into Rescue, funds must be spent on neutering/spaying, vaccinations, (Rabies, DHLPP, Bordatella), etc. Vetting expenses on a healthy animal can run as high as $175 and more with the larger breeds. The truth is, the majority of found/stray rescues DO require additional vetting. Worming is always a necessity. Rescuers work with traumatized animals, pay to set broken bones, to treat illnesses and injuries; providing treatment the original owners either did not choose to or could not afford. Rescuers may do whatever is necessary, and it can often take several months to return an animal to good health. It is not unusual for the costs of this care to run from $450-$1000 per dog. They do this without benefit of financial backing or resources, choosing to spend money in saving lives, rather than on ourselves. I do not know of any Rescue group that makes a profit, or comes anywhere close to breaking even.
We foster these animals in our homes, making them part of the family while providing care and training. The animals will be screened for behavioral and health issues, those issues addressed, and every attempt is made to make the best possible match with adopting families. Rescuers spend hours on the computer each day seeking the perfect homes, help for a dog, or transport from shelter to Rescue or Rescue to forever home. Setting up transports for these animals may take weeks to arrange, and require 100s of emails. Phone bills are frequently outrageous, as they call shelters and vets that lack email capabilities, interview prospective adopters and check their references.
If you have a problem with the cost to adopt from them, please go to your local shelter. Sometimes people have said they intend to do this spitefully, as though we will be angry at the 'lost business,' just like the (more popular) breeder comment. On the contrary the pets at the shelter likely need your help much more than our pets do and have a lower adoption fee because the facility is funded by the government. I am also not against certified, respectable breeders; there are many out there who treat their breeding dogs like pets, keep them in clean and shaded kennels (if not in their homes), breed them only the appropriate number of times each year, and even go out of their way to make some attempt of assuring that the puppies go to excellent homes (some breeders have applications similar to our own). The choice is yours.
