Anonymous wrote:OP, a shelter or rescue group may not permit you to adopt given your work schedule and long hours away from home.

Right. And also, isn't fostering a time committment too, as far as bringing the fostered dog to adoption shows, etc.?

New poster -- our expenses for our shelter adoption since September:

Adoption $150
Vet check x2 130

Heartworm every month bought for 6 months 75
Frontline (flea and tick) 6 months 115

Grooming/bathing supplies 50
Leashes, harnesses 75

Food $200

Toys 50

How have you spent 4k on the dog? Honestly, even my pup that broke his leg only totalled3k in the first year, including his neuter and purchase price: purebred, flown in. Vet care: recombitek vaccines, they only need two. Rabies. You don't need lepto. You don't need kennel cough unless you are boarding and even then it's useless. Spay/neuter: look for low cost. Classes are available in the community and more money isn't usually helpful. A crate is $60. Orijen is $65-70 a bag but a bag lasts me 6 weeks or more for 2 45 lb dogs.

If you have some common sense you don't need a behaviorist.