The Average Costs of Pet Adoption

People looking for a new dog, cat or small animal often turn to their local animal shelter because the average cost of pet adoption is considerably lower than the cost of purchasing a pet from a breeder or a store. Your local chapter of the Humane Society and animal rescue groups also offer animals for adoption.

  1. Advantages

    • Aside from the fact that the average cost of pet adoption is less than the cost of buying a pet, many people also choose to adopt rather than buy for other reasons. They know that when they adopt an animal, they are saving its life and giving it a second chance. Adoption also helps to discourage puppy mills and backyard animal breeders by decreasing the demand for them.

    Average Cost

    • On average, the cost to adopt a pet from a shelter as of 2010 is approximately $45 to $70 for a dog and $40 to $60 for a cat. Younger animals, including puppies and kittens, usually cost more and senior animals (approximately 5 years of age and older) usually cost less. Small animal adoption fees vary, depending on the animal, but are usually $20 to $40. The shelter adoption fees include the cost of spaying or neutering, as well as licensing and other fees.

    Humane Society, Rescue Groups

    • The Humane Society and rescue groups are other places to find adoptable pets. Unlike county shelters, these groups operate independently through private funding and donations. That's usually why their adoption fees are typically higher than those of county-operated shelters. Rescue groups often charge higher fees than shelters to help make sure the animals they place are going to people who can afford their ongoing care. The average cost of pet adoption from a Humane Society or rescue group is about $150 for a dog or a cat and approximately $30 to $50 for a small animal. Spaying or neutering, vaccinations and other services are usually included in the fee.

    Additional Pet Adoption Costs

    • The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals states that people who adopt an animal from a shelter, Humane Society or rescue group can be expected to spend approximately $500 to $900 in the first year on a dog, $700 on a cat and $40 to $700 for other animals. These figures include the cost of food, veterinary care, supplies, pet insurance and other items. These figures vary depending on the age, health, size and type of animal.

    Considerations

    • Adopting a pet helps to reduce the surplus population of unwanted animals, both by the actual adoption of the animal, and by having the animal spayed or neutered.