I've always thought that the rescues charge for the pet to cover what they have already put into the care of the animal and also to keep folks with bad intentions from adopting a cheap dog to use for dog fighting ( the so called practice dog). Some folks adopt to feed puppies and kittens and bunnies to their reptiles.

When you adopt a pet from a rescue, I think some of the charges are in place to make sure the pet is being placed with someone who can afford the pet. Pets are expensive if you are providing vaccinations, annual exams, treatment for illnesses.

Puppy mills over breed for profit. Quite often, the breeder dogs are abused and / or neglected. That is why we have all been cautioned not to use a mill to obtain a puppy. Also, when a mill breeder over breeds they are not taking care of health and quality to prolong positive attributes of the breed.



I have almost always had pure bred dogs and I've never paid money for any dog I've had except for a small adoption fee from the pound. I like having some sort of idea, prior to adopting, what I might be able to expect from my new pet which is why I like knowing a dogs genetic make-up, if possible, or rather as much as possible before I adopt. That doesn't always work out as I imagine might be true for a puppy from even the most qualified breeder.

I've gotten puppies from friends with a leftover runt from a litter of their own dogs in rare oops situations...you know when you procrastinate a spay and some freelancer jumps the fence., I've adopted from shelters and the pound. I've even taken in dogs whose owners have died. Right now I have a Chihuahua whose Human Mom died of a heart attack. And in the next two weeks we are picking up a lovely senior Chihuahua mix whose Human had to enter a nursing home.

There are so many opportunities to adopt a dog that needs a new home, even if you want a specific breed, without having to pay for the adoption. Sometimes you have to be willing to wait or accept a mixed dog with some of what you want in its heritage.

I love dogs. If I couldn't afford to care for them I wouldn't have them.

Pets are at our mercy to do right by them .

I will always stand by adopting a dog rather than passing over an adult dog in favor of purchasing a puppy