At Trusted Rescue, we believe that everyone can play a role in the rescue process. It’s not just about donations; it’s about transparency and sharing the realities that rescuers face every day. One of the biggest challenges? The financial burden of saving lives.
Cost of Intaking a Healthy Dog
Did you know rescues often lose money for every dog they help? Adoption fees rarely cover the full cost of care. Each dog that enters a rescue comes with significant expenses, including:
- Vet Exam
- Spay/Neuter Surgery
- Core Vaccines (Rabies, Bordetella, DHPP)
- Heartworm and Tick-Borne Disease Testing
- Deworming
- Flea and Tick Monthly Preventatives
- Microchip
- Food and Basic Supplies (Collar, Harness, Leash)
These necessities alone can cost anywhere from $400 to $800 per dog, and that’s before considering unexpected medical needs or additional behavioral support. Costs depend on factors such as location, the availability of in-shelter clinics, access to resources, and other variables.
The Cost of Relocating Dogs
Some shelters relocate dogs to areas where adoption demand is higher. This process, while lifesaving, adds even more expenses. Transportation and relocation costs range from $250 to $750 per dog and often include:
- Transport fees
- Health certificate (required before and after transport)
- Isolation costs (48-hour quarantine for out-of-state dogs)
- Required vaccines and testing (pre- and post-entry)
- Spay/neuter procedures (if not already completed)
The original rescue covers a dog’s initial care, while both the original and receiving rescues take on additional costs to ensure safe relocation and compliance with state requirements.
Why Adoption Fees Aren’t Enough
Adoption fees help offset some of these expenses, but they rarely cover the full cost. Fees typically range from $200 to $650, meaning rescues often operate at a loss.
Here’s an example of how the numbers break down:
- Cost Without Transport Fees:
- Average Cost to Intake a Dog: $650 (mid-range of $400 to $800)
- Adoption Fee Received: $400 (mid-range of $200 to $650)
- Summary:
- $650 (total costs) - $400 (adoption fee) = $250 (net loss)
- Average cost to intake a dog: $600 (mid-range of $400 to $800)
- Additional cost for transporting the dog: $500 (mid-range of $250 to $750)
- Adoption fee received: $400 (mid-range of $200 to $650)
- Summary:
- $1,100 (total costs incurred by rescues) - $400 (adoption fee) = $700 (net loss)
Multiply that across dozens or hundreds of dogs, and it’s easy to see why rescues struggle financially.
The Hidden Costs of Running a Rescue
Beyond the direct costs of animal care, rescues face additional expenses, such as:
- Facility costs (kennel space, utilities)
- Employee salaries
- Emergency veterinary care
- Training and behavioral support
- Administrative and legal fees
- General shelter maintenance
- Food, supplies, etc
For many rescues, these operational costs range from $3,800 to $17,800 per month—making fundraising essential for survival.
How Rescues Stay Afloat
Since adoption fees alone can’t cover costs, rescues rely on additional funding sources, including:
- Fundraising events
- Merchandise sales
- Grants and bequests
- Sponsorships and partnerships
- Monthly giving programs
- Generous donors
Smaller rescues often depend on their founders or a small group of dedicated supporters to cover gaps in funding or leaving them to eventually close or having them stop being able to intake animals in need.
How Trusted Rescue Is Helping
We started Trusted Rescue to help tackle the financial challenges that rescues face every day. Our goal is simple: to build a community where everyone can make a difference, no matter how much they give.
Imagine if every supporter contributed just $5 or $10. With just 65 donors, we can fully fund the care for one dog, allowing rescues to redirect their own resources to help even more animals in need.
Together, we can ensure that no rescue has to turn away an animal due to lack of funds. Join us in this mission and be a part of the solution!
