How Much Are Pet Adoption Fees? Breaking Down the Cost of Adopting a Pet

Let’s get real — almost every rescue group and shelter charges a pet adoption fee. And if you’re thinking about adopting, you might be wondering why. The short answer? It’s because caring for pets costs money. Adoption fees help these organizations cover the essentials: medical care, transportation, food, and more. It all adds up, and these fees make sure shelters and rescues can keep doing the life-saving work they do. Read on to learn what’s typically included in those costs — and more on why they’re such an important part of bringing your new best friend home.

Why animal shelters and rescue organizations charge adoption fees

Rescuing pets is expensive work. First, there are medical costs: The rescue often pays to have the pets spayed or neutered (if they aren’t already) and vaccinated. Many also pay for all medical care the pets in their rescue may need. Often, the adoption fees don’t even cover the cost of caring for the pets. For instance, Animal Humane New Mexico reports that the average cost of caring for a single pet in their rescue is a whopping $530 — far more than their typical $100 adoption fee.

Some rescue organizations have to pay to transport pets from one part of the country to another — generally from crowded, open-admission shelters to another area where a pet has a better chance of finding a home.

Shelters with facilities need to pay their staff, who care for the animals, clean up after them, and take care of the shelter’s operations. Some rescue organizations don’t have facilities and run out of foster homes, so they often have to pay to board the pets while trying to place them in foster or forever homes.

How much is the typical pet adoption fee?

A typical pet adoption fee ranges from $50 to $500 or more, depending on a number of factors, such as the shelter or rescue organization’s location, size, and the type of pet and age. In places like New York or California, where living costs are notoriously high, adoption fees tend to be higher too. Shelters and rescues in high-cost-of-living areas often face hefty operating expenses and those costs are reflected in the fees.

Puppies and kittens generally have the highest fees, because they often require more care, such as additional vaccinations, deworming, and spaying/neutering at a young age. Plus, demand for puppies and kittens is also typically higher, which affects fees. Senior and adult pets with few health conditions tend to have the lowest fees. Other small animals, such as rabbits, rodents, birds, and reptiles, may have fees as low as $20.

City and county shelters typically charge lower adoption fees because, in addition to those fees, they also receive some funding from grants and municipal budgets. Rescue groups — especially breed-specific or foster-based rescues — often have higher fees. These organizations depend more on donations and adoption fees, and their pets often benefit from extra care or training before being adopted.

As you can see, adoption fees can vary a lot, but here’s a breakdown of what you might expect to pay based on the type of pet.

• Adult dog adoption fees: $50 – $500

• Puppy adoption fees: $150 – $600

• Adult cat adoption fees: $25 – $150

• Kitten adoption fees: $75 – $200

• Small pet adoption fees: $20 – $200

Can I negotiate or waive the adoption fee?

Many shelters and rescue organizations offer discounted fees, or may even waive fees, for certain pets (including older pets or those who have been at the shelter for extended periods of time) or during certain times of the year (such as summer, when shelters are most likely to be overcrowded). For example, many shelters waive adoption fees in August in honor of Clear the Shelters, while others reduce fees in October for Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. Those who cannot afford adoption fees otherwise can monitor their local shelter or rescue organizations for these promotions and wait to adopt a pet until then.

Are adoption fees necessary for animal shelters to operate?

Adoption fees help animal shelters operate, but most are not solely reliant on adoption fees to operate. Some animal welfare organizations, including Best Friends Animal Society, advocate for reduced-fee and no-fee adoptions because they believe lower fees help more animals find homes more quickly (especially hard-to-place pets such as seniors and pets with special needs), which in turn allows shelters and rescue organizations to increase their save rates.

Can I adopt for free from a shelter or rescue?

Yes, many shelters offer free pet adoptions, waiving fees during periods of overcrowding or special events. However, be cautious of ‘free pets’ offered outside of shelters or reputable rescue organizations — these can often be part of common adoption scams.

What’s included with an adoption fee?

The main benefits of adoption fees for pets are that your adopted pet will likely be vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and microchipped upon adoption, as the fee helps ensure the shelter or adoption organization can provide those services.

Adoption fees may also cover their initial vet exam to make sure the pet is healthy, along with parasite treatments for things such as fleas, ticks, or worms. Many organizations also provide the first round of preventative care, such as heartworm or flea medications.

When you adopt from a shelter or rescue, the money saved on care and treatments really adds up. The Humane Society of Silicon Valley estimates that the value of the medical services provided for a single dog is nearly $1,000 — if you had to pay for them yourself. And, while you generally cannot claim the adoption fee as a tax deduction, any additional donations you may choose to make to the shelter or organization where you adopt are tax deductible.

Commonly asked questions

Why is adopting from a shelter better than getting a pet from a breeder or pet store?

Adopting from a shelter saves lives — not only the life of the pet you adopt but also creating space for the shelter to continue saving pets in need. Older shelter pets are often past the hyperactive, chew-everything-in-sight stage, making them a great fit for families who want a pet that’s a little more low-key. And when you adopt a puppy, not only are you helping reduce overcrowding, but you also get the literal pick of the litter — with so many adorable options to choose from.

Do all pets in shelters have adoption fees?

Most pets in shelters have adoption fees, but these fees are sometimes waived depending on the pet or if the shelter is running a broader promotion. Animal shelters often charge low — or even waived — adoption fees for older pets, who still have so much love and many years to give.

Why are pet adoption fees so high?​

Pet adoption fees are so high because recusing and caring for animals is expensive. Shelters and rescues need to ensure pets are healthy before they go to their new homes, which means exams, vaccinations, spaying or neutering, and parasite treatments — all of which add up. Adoption fees might seem a bit steep, but the reality is they don’t always cover the real cost of caring for pets. Many organizations are still heavily reliant on volunteers to help with much of the work.

What if I can’t afford the adoption fee?

If you can’t afford an adoption fee, ask your local shelter or rescue organization if they’re waiving fees on certain pets or during specific times of the year.

References

“Adoption Fees and Applications - Animal Shelter | Seattle.gov.” seattle.gov, www.seattle.gov/animal-shelter/find-an-animal/adopt/adoption-fees-and-applications.

Guide to Pet Adoption

“Adopting a Pet.” Clatsop County OR, 2024, www.clatsopcounty.gov/animalcontrol/page/adopting-pet. Accessed 8 Jan. 2025.

“Adoption Procedure & Fees - Save-A-Pet, Inc.” Save-A-Pet, Inc., 4 Nov. 2024, www.saveapetil.org/adoption-procedures-and-fees/. Accessed 8 Jan. 2025.

Williams, Geoff. “Costs to Consider When Adopting a Pet.” US News & World Report, U.S. News & World Report, 2020, money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/costs-to-consider-when-adopting-a-pet.

Mann, Andrew. “Giving a Second Chance: The Importance of Adopting from an Animal Shelter.” Vetmed.vt.edu, 9 Oct. 2023, vetmed.vt.edu/news/2023/adopting-from-animal-shelters.html.