500 is very reasonable for a rescue. For the most part rescues are non profit- so they don't profit from the adoption fee they ask. So why 500???? Here's where that money goes ( I know
@Lola can better address this) Pulling dogs from sheltersVet care- vaccinations, denials , heart worm preventative, micro chip, treatment for sick/ injured dogs( we had 3 Lab pups with parvo being treated at once. They all made it- tothe tune of thousands of dollars)Kennel fees if not fosters are available- Food (the fosters in our group provide food)Crates, bowls, toysFees if the rescue rents a booth at a function Travel- sometimes dogs are shuttled in or out of a region - we've done this with a group in the NE where Labs get adopted readily.Cost over time- many dogs don't get adopted quickly- the average time is 2-3 months pups and young dogs go quicker while older dogs take longer I realized very quickly that 500 is a very fair priceNow having said that- you could look on petfinder OR go to the Harris County Shelter- they are having a sale this weekend. I saw where a dog hoarder surrendered 70 dogs/ puppies and the shelter is already at capacity.Montgomery County Animal Shelter is also a good place- we adopted our dog Loki there- he was on the euthanasia ward- he's turned out to be a fabulous find 4951