Rescue Dogs | Connecticut Pet Photographer

I am a huge dog lover – no matter if mixes or pure breds; yellow, black or brown; small, medium or large. They all have their purpose and will make someone’s life very special. The worse thing for me is to see a dog suffer. This is why I have been working with a fantastic non profit dog rescue – named Critter Cavalry Rescue – for nearly three years now. And every day I am amazed at what they accomplish and I can’t even give these people enough credit for their patience and effort.

They just rescued three litters of puppies from Kentucky, where these sweet babies would have ended up at a high kill shelter and most of them would have not survived that journey. So CCR stepped in and saved them. And yes, I am currently fostering two of them here (two big black mixes – most likely lab or golden mixes, possibly with Doberman).

With all these puppies up here – and in need for loving homes – I decided that today was the day to explain why there is an adoption fee and what this is all about.

The first and most important thing I feel that needs to be addressed is this: NO – rescues do not make money when they rescue these dogs. As a matter of fact, they often have to pay on top – and therefore need to collect donations.

So then what is the adoption fee (which typically ranges between $400 and $500) for?

It covers the following costs:

• Initial vet check up where the vet checks health, temperature, weight… and makes sure the dogs are alright. Average price for a vet visit: $60 – 70
• Stool sample to test for worms plus deworming medication: $25 – 35
• Vaccinations – according to age (DHLLP, Rabies) – sometimes two or more sets of shots within a few weeks. Average price for one(!) vaccination: $40
• Spaying/neutering. Average cost: $100-150
• Flea and Tick medication: $20
• Micro Chip. Average cost for the chip, implementation and registration: $65 – $200 (depending on organization used – in fact, I pay an annual fee for my dog’s registration of $35. CCR’s Micro Chip has a live long subscription included).
• Transport from the South (TN or KY) to Connecticut. Average cost per dog: $90-140 (especially with today’s gas prices).
• Health certificate and 2nd vet check up before transport: $60

If we add all this together, we are looking at a minimum expanse of $420. This does not yet include the treatment of any kind of diseases like skin problems or else, nor does it include colors, leashes, crates or food.

So I am hoping, that this little blog post will explain a bit better, why rescues need to have an adoption fee and why it is – what it is. It is not because they are greedy and are trying to make big $ – but because they care about the dogs and do everything to make sure that these dogs are well and healthy and will find a good home.

The fosters in the South as well as here in CT are all volunteers who donate their time and also pay for food, treats and toys for the dogs.

We are hoping to soon find loving homes for these super cute puppies below. Please email me if you are interested :) They are all around 8 weeks old and are currently being fostered in Connecticut (some in Milford, some in the Hartford area).