rehoming fees - when does adopting become buying?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We adopted a cat from Craigslist. The family asked for $20 to make sure he wasn’t going to someone with bad intentions that just wanted a free cat. They gave us all his stuff (tower, food, litter, collars)

I still send the family photo updates and they’re happy he’s in a loving home.

That’s a completely reasonable rehoming fee.

I have seen rehoming fees that are higher than what would cost to purchase a pet. You really are just buying a pet. Those rescues are the new stores just with the different, feel good name. And as a person you get to feel good about “rescuing” a dog. These rescues know this and are taking advantage or capitalizing on it.

[Anonymous]

OP, drive to a shelter in WV. You can get a kitten same day for like $25.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I needed to rehome my cats due to a move, I posted on Craigslist. We didn't need a rehoming fee so I didn't post one at first.

I got like 4 emails in 5 minutes chastising me for listing FREE CATS because apparently that results in people buying cats to torture.

It seemed really sad to me that that was the reason, but that's what I was told it was.

I think this type of warning has moved into urban legend categories. Are people really trolling online looking for "free" animals to torture? Or are "rescues" trying to pretend their high fees are the only ethical way to obtain a pet? When rescues often reward things like puppy mills and then will euthanize animals while turning down people who WANT to adopt.

I realize animals egt abused, and that's not right. But come on now. It's ridiculous the hoops these "rescues" will make loving families jump through. If the worst thing that happens is the cat only lives with the family for 5 years, is that really WORSE than euthanizing the animal because it didn't find a home?! It's shortsighted and dumb.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I needed to rehome my cats due to a move, I posted on Craigslist. We didn't need a rehoming fee so I didn't post one at first.

I got like 4 emails in 5 minutes chastising me for listing FREE CATS because apparently that results in people buying cats to torture.

It seemed really sad to me that that was the reason, but that's what I was told it was.

I think this type of warning has moved into urban legend categories. Are people really trolling online looking for "free" animals to torture? Or are "rescues" trying to pretend their high fees are the only ethical way to obtain a pet? When rescues often reward things like puppy mills and then will euthanize animals while turning down people who WANT to adopt.

I realize animals egt abused, and that's not right. But come on now. It's ridiculous the hoops these "rescues" will make loving families jump through. If the worst thing that happens is the cat only lives with the family for 5 years, is that really WORSE than euthanizing the animal because it didn't find a home?! It's shortsighted and dumb.

I find this really strange too. Are people who like torturing cats supposed to deterred by a $20 fee?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of course animal rescue fees are almost exactly what pet stores used to charge back in the day, inflation adjusted. That’s because the source of the animals is still the same: puppy mills and backyard breeders. Same businesses, different distribution channels.

Not even all that different. A good number of the rescues do their events at PetSmart and Petco. It's a racket.

Wow you have no idea what you’re talking about.
They do their events at Petco because the stores allow them to use their space. Where do you propose they do them?

Yes, I’m aware the stores give permission. Under the old system, the pet stores bought dogs from breeders and sold them in their stores. Under the new system, the rescue organizations buy dogs from breeders and then people “adopt” them in pet store parking lots in exchange for an “adoption fee.” Totally different!

Oh, look, it's the person who thinks people who don't spay or neuter their pets only to have those pets reproduce count at "breeders."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of course animal rescue fees are almost exactly what pet stores used to charge back in the day, inflation adjusted. That’s because the source of the animals is still the same: puppy mills and backyard breeders. Same businesses, different distribution channels.

Not even all that different. A good number of the rescues do their events at PetSmart and Petco. It's a racket.

Wow you have no idea what you’re talking about.
They do their events at Petco because the stores allow them to use their space. Where do you propose they do them?

Yes, I’m aware the stores give permission. Under the old system, the pet stores bought dogs from breeders and sold them in their stores. Under the new system, the rescue organizations buy dogs from breeders and then people “adopt” them in pet store parking lots in exchange for an “adoption fee.” Totally different!

God I hate people who do nothing but complain about rescues but are clueless about the environment they work in. Would you prefer they pay more money to have their adoptions not at pet stores and rent a place? Where do you propose the events are held to at won’t cost the rescue more money?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of course animal rescue fees are almost exactly what pet stores used to charge back in the day, inflation adjusted. That’s because the source of the animals is still the same: puppy mills and backyard breeders. Same businesses, different distribution channels.

Not even all that different. A good number of the rescues do their events at PetSmart and Petco. It's a racket.

Wow you have no idea what you’re talking about.
They do their events at Petco because the stores allow them to use their space. Where do you propose they do them?

Yes, I’m aware the stores give permission. Under the old system, the pet stores bought dogs from breeders and sold them in their stores. Under the new system, the rescue organizations buy dogs from breeders and then people “adopt” them in pet store parking lots in exchange for an “adoption fee.” Totally different!

I really think you are spreading harmful misinformation.
I work with a couple of local rescues. WTAR they are truly stray animals from a county in Mississippi. I have seen where they come from. Under porches, the side of the road where they are dumped, people who call and say if the dog isn’t picked up by whatever time they will shoot it. I have seen it or video or photos of it with my own eyes so please do not let this persons misinformation scare you from rescue dogs.
The other rescue I work with has some animals from puppy mills that were shut down. So I guess maybe they did come from backyard breeders but they were not purchased. Who do you think takes care of the dogs when a puppy mill is shut down?

[Anonymous]

Lots of dogs in rescues are in foster homes. This helps them get to know the animal for placement and is less stress than a shelter. Fosters food, medical care etc are paid for by the rescue. That money has to come from somewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of course animal rescue fees are almost exactly what pet stores used to charge back in the day, inflation adjusted. That’s because the source of the animals is still the same: puppy mills and backyard breeders. Same businesses, different distribution channels.

Not even all that different. A good number of the rescues do their events at PetSmart and Petco. It's a racket.

Wow you have no idea what you’re talking about.
They do their events at Petco because the stores allow them to use their space. Where do you propose they do them?

Yes, I’m aware the stores give permission. Under the old system, the pet stores bought dogs from breeders and sold them in their stores. Under the new system, the rescue organizations buy dogs from breeders and then people “adopt” them in pet store parking lots in exchange for an “adoption fee.” Totally different!

I really think you are spreading harmful misinformation.
I work with a couple of local rescues. WTAR they are truly stray animals from a county in Mississippi. I have seen where they come from. Under porches, the side of the road where they are dumped, people who call and say if the dog isn’t picked up by whatever time they will shoot it. I have seen it or video or photos of it with my own eyes so please do not let this persons misinformation scare you from rescue dogs.
The other rescue I work with has some animals from puppy mills that were shut down. So I guess maybe they did come from backyard breeders but they were not purchased. Who do you think takes care of the dogs when a puppy mill is shut down?

Not misinformation at all. In fact, it is well documented:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2018/investigations/dog-auction-rescue-groups-donations/#:~:text=The%20breeders%20sell%20their%20puppies,for%20adoption%20as%20rescue%20dogs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of course animal rescue fees are almost exactly what pet stores used to charge back in the day, inflation adjusted. That’s because the source of the animals is still the same: puppy mills and backyard breeders. Same businesses, different distribution channels.

Not even all that different. A good number of the rescues do their events at PetSmart and Petco. It's a racket.

Wow you have no idea what you’re talking about.
They do their events at Petco because the stores allow them to use their space. Where do you propose they do them?

Yes, I’m aware the stores give permission. Under the old system, the pet stores bought dogs from breeders and sold them in their stores. Under the new system, the rescue organizations buy dogs from breeders and then people “adopt” them in pet store parking lots in exchange for an “adoption fee.” Totally different!

I really think you are spreading harmful misinformation.
I work with a couple of local rescues. WTAR they are truly stray animals from a county in Mississippi. I have seen where they come from. Under porches, the side of the road where they are dumped, people who call and say if the dog isn’t picked up by whatever time they will shoot it. I have seen it or video or photos of it with my own eyes so please do not let this persons misinformation scare you from rescue dogs.
The other rescue I work with has some animals from puppy mills that were shut down. So I guess maybe they did come from backyard breeders but they were not purchased. Who do you think takes care of the dogs when a puppy mill is shut down?

Not misinformation at all. In fact, it is well documented:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2018/investigations/dog-auction-rescue-groups-donations/#:~:text=The%20breeders%20sell%20their%20puppies,for%20adoption%20as%20rescue%20dogs.

If you need help understanding the word "some," please just ask for help rather than misrepresenting/lying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At $500 you are buying a dog.

We wanted a rescue dog but gave up and still don't have a dog, dealing with rescues in this area is a nightmare. We are going to move soon and will look into rescues in our new state.

Yep. I gave up on rescues and went to a reputable breeder. I wanted a dog. I didn’t need to go through the ridiculous process. I offered two vets I use as references but the rescue was just slow and insisted on all kinds of hoops and commitments and the fee was over $500.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At $500 you are buying a dog.

We wanted a rescue dog but gave up and still don't have a dog, dealing with rescues in this area is a nightmare. We are going to move soon and will look into rescues in our new state.

Yep. I gave up on rescues and went to a reputable breeder. I wanted a dog. I didn’t need to go through the ridiculous process. I offered two vets I use as references but the rescue was just slow and insisted on all kinds of hoops and commitments and the fee was over $500.

Most breeders charge north of $1500 some as much as tens of thousands. $500 is a nominal fee by comparison.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We paid $500 for a rescue 10 yrs ago, and then still had to have the dog spayed. I think a lot of these rescues are a bit of a racket, frankly.

Tell me how it is a "racket" Do you think the rescues don't have to take care of the cost of the animals?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At $500 you are buying a dog.

We wanted a rescue dog but gave up and still don't have a dog, dealing with rescues in this area is a nightmare. We are going to move soon and will look into rescues in our new state.

Yep. I gave up on rescues and went to a reputable breeder. I wanted a dog. I didn’t need to go through the ridiculous process. I offered two vets I use as references but the rescue was just slow and insisted on all kinds of hoops and commitments and the fee was over $500.

Good breeders care about who gets their dogs. Maybe you used a backyard breeder

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of course animal rescue fees are almost exactly what pet stores used to charge back in the day, inflation adjusted. That’s because the source of the animals is still the same: puppy mills and backyard breeders. Same businesses, different distribution channels.

Not even all that different. A good number of the rescues do their events at PetSmart and Petco. It's a racket.

Wow you have no idea what you’re talking about.
They do their events at Petco because the stores allow them to use their space. Where do you propose they do them?

Yes, I’m aware the stores give permission. Under the old system, the pet stores bought dogs from breeders and sold them in their stores. Under the new system, the rescue organizations buy dogs from breeders and then people “adopt” them in pet store parking lots in exchange for an “adoption fee.” Totally different!

I really think you are spreading harmful misinformation.
I work with a couple of local rescues. WTAR they are truly stray animals from a county in Mississippi. I have seen where they come from. Under porches, the side of the road where they are dumped, people who call and say if the dog isn’t picked up by whatever time they will shoot it. I have seen it or video or photos of it with my own eyes so please do not let this persons misinformation scare you from rescue dogs.
The other rescue I work with has some animals from puppy mills that were shut down. So I guess maybe they did come from backyard breeders but they were not purchased. Who do you think takes care of the dogs when a puppy mill is shut down?

Not misinformation at all. In fact, it is well documented:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2018/investigations/dog-auction-rescue-groups-donations/#:~:text=The%20breeders%20sell%20their%20puppies,for%20adoption%20as%20rescue%20dogs.

That one article is not representative of most rescues. You clearly don’t have much experience with rescues other than what you read in this article. Ugh