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Adopting a dog is an exciting time spent introducing your new four-legged family member to their forever home. However, it can also be an expensive time. Dog adoption fees can range from $30 – $455, but they depend on a few factors.1
You can help offset some unexpected costs with a little advanced preparation, though. Let’s explore how much adopting a dog costs, as well as other expenses you might need to know about when adopting.
Adopting a dog can help make space at rescues and shelters for new dogs in need of forever homes. In general, the cost to adopt a dog might be about $30 – $455, but this varies and could cost a lot more.1
Adoption fees themselves may not seem expensive, but owning a dog is a larger financial commitment over the course of their life. It’s important to consider the type of dog you need to match your lifestyle, preferences, and budget before signing on the dotted line.
Dog adoption fees are influenced by many different factors. Let’s dig into the details.
Depending on where you live and where you adopt from, the adoption fee will vary.2 You might be able to adopt from a rescue organization, animal shelter, humane society, or adoption clinic.
Rescues and shelters throughout the U.S. are filled with dogs looking for homes. MetLife Pet works with various shelters across the country — some of which might offer adopters the chance to enroll their new furry family member in a MetLife Pet policy in the process. If you do sign up for a policy through one of the organizations we work with, you may also be able to get the 14-day illness waiting period waived.
If you’re looking to save money, you can sometimes get a lower adoption fee by keeping an eye out for dogs who have been waiting for a home the longest.2 Shelters may also offer discounts or waived fees for holidays — such as National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day — or certain potential adopters, like senior citizens or military service members.
Senior dogs’ adoption fees may be lower than puppies and younger dogs — potentially because senior dogs have shorter lifespans and might have health problems. Puppies may also have higher adoption fees because of the extra care needed or because they’re highly sought after.1,3
Dogs with special needs or those who require more medical care to get them ready for adoption might also have higher adoption fees.3 Inquire about medical records and any procedures or treatments your potential new pet has received before finalizing the adoption.
In addition to necessary medical care, some adoption places will provide basic vet care to get pets set up for easy adoptions. Adoption fees may include the cost of some of this vet care — like spay or neuter procedures, microchips, vaccinations, and more. This can make it less expensive upfront to adopt because you won’t have to pay for these expenses on top of the adoption fee.1,2,3
Ask the adoption place what veterinary care your potential new pup has already had, so you know what you may still need to pay for if you bring them home.
If shelters and rescues are overloaded, and less dogs are being adopted, the cost to adopt a dog could decrease in an effort to get more of them into homes.1
However, certain dog breeds in high-demand might have higher adoption fees. This can sometimes help shelters and rescues offset the cost of care for other pets who have a harder time getting adopted or have larger medical costs.3
Having a dog doesn’t always work out for everyone. In these instances, dogs can be rehomed — or taken in — by someone else. This could be free of charge, or the previous owner may request an adoption fee.
You could adopt a stray dog, too. Just make sure you check for a microchip and/or post flyers and online messages to try to find an owner before taking them in as your own. Know that while there likely won’t be an adoption fee, the dog may need lots of veterinary care to get them healthy.
There’s also the option of adopting working dogs from organizations where they’ve retired from or didn’t pass the rigorous certification process for active work duty — like military or police K-9s. Applicants must typically meet a strict list of requirements because these dogs are usually highly trained and energetic.4
Finally, you could purchase a dog from a breeder. The cost to do this is often much higher than adopting through a shelter or rescue organization — up to $4,750 or more.1
It’s important to be financially prepared for your new family member. The upfront costs of adopting a dog could range from $1,150 – $4,400 in the first year. Of course, this depends on what you already have at home, their medical needs, the dog’s age and size, and any adoption fees.1
In addition to the dog adoption fee, some of these upfront expenses might include:1
While some of these are one-time costs, others — such as food — will be recurring expenses in your weekly or monthly budget. Figure out your budget, what you can buy now or save for later, and which items you can find less-expensive options for so you can plan accordingly.
Dog costs are slightly different once they’re established in your family, ranging from $1,390 – $5,295 per year. Since you’ve got the essentials — like bowls, beds, and such — yearly costs typically encompass annual veterinary care and things like routine vaccinations, parasite prevention, food and new toys, dental care, and even dog insurance.1
Unlike most cat owners, dog owners may need to consider the cost of professional training. Whether it’s behavior training for anxiety or aggression, or obedience training for learning basic commands and doggy etiquette, working with a professional dog trainer can be helpful.
Training session costs depend on your pet’s age, your location, the type of trainer you see, and your pet’s needs. You could be looking at $115 – $975 per session.1 With a MetLife Pet Insurance policy, you may be able to get coverage for dog behavioral training if your vet prescribes it as a treatment for your pup.
Pet insurance can be a smart purchase at the time of adoption. As part of your financial plan, it could help you to make expected and unexpected vet costs more financially accessible.
Consider MetLife Pet’s dog and puppy insurance policies, which can reimburse you up to 90% of covered costs.5 And by adding our optional Preventive Care plan to your policy, coverage for routine and wellness expenses — like vaccinations, annual vet checkups, and spay or neuter procedures — can be part of your plan, too.
Enroll your new dog today, no matter their breed or age6, so they’ve got coverage for future vet visits. Start with a free, personalized quote now.
