Mutt Rescue

Main Street

Cost Of Rescue

Dogs and cats  SAVED as of 04.22.23   : 1708


Ever wonder how much it really costs to rescue a dog or puppy and foster and care for it until it's adopted?   You might be very surprised by what you read here!

Regular Rescue Costs: (These fees vary greatly by shelter)

  • Shelter Fees
  • Transportation from shelter to vet or boarding


Once at Vet (Varies by dog, shelter and needs)

  • Heartworm testing (required to come to Washington - must test negative)
  • Rabies  (required before transport to Washington if over 12 weeks)
  • Vaccines - DHPP and Bordetella (required before transport to Washington)
  • Deworming
  • Flea and Tick Treatment
  • Spay or Neuter
  • X-rays if needed for an injury
  • Blood work for illnesses
  • Medication for illnesses. (About 90% of the dogs get kennel cough which is like a human cold)
  • Microchip
  • Health Certificate (required to come to Washington)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Because we do most of our DEATH ROW SAVES in California. We have to board or foster them once treatment is done until their transportation brings them to Washington State.  

  • Boarding fee
  • Transportation fee


Then there is the daily care until adopted:

  • Food and Treats
  • Leash and Collar
  • Pee pads if needed
  • ​Further vetting


One question we get a lot is why are adoption fees so high?  Shouldn't adopting a dog be free or at least incredibly cheap?  To these people, remember, you get what you pay for. If you purchase a purebred dog from a dog breeder you will pay up to $2500 or more depending on the dog and breed,but often that is all your getting for that cost.  You will still have to spay or neuter your new puppy,  provide remaining vaccines and microchip..

Your adoption fees are going to pay towards the cost of care your adopted dog has received while with the foster/rescue group. The dog adoption fees make caring for the animals in our rescue possible. It then allows us to rescue more dogs when we replace some or all of the spent on your dog. 

Once we take an animal into our rescue group we commit to it. This means that we assume not only routine but also extraordinary costs for treatment required by the canine. WE LOVE THESE PUPS and want them to have the best chance at a happy, healthy, life. We are not a shelter, we are not recipients of large donations. We do not receive local, Federal or State funding. 

Our fee is normally $350.00 to 500.00 per dog for this reason and some dogs we lose money on. All of our staff are unpaid volunteers, we do not have a shelter, we keep the costs to a minimum but to us the high rate is worth SAVING A DEATH ROW DOG.


We are SO thankful for all of our adopters who do help us continue to save dogs in need!