How to Calculate the Cost to Adopt a Dog

Co-authored by Belgin Altundag and Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: January 25, 2023 References

You can’t wait to play fetch and take walks with your new furry friend, but have you thought about how much a dog can cost? Adopting a dog is no small feat—after all, you’re bringing a new family member home. Before you sign those papers, it’s best to think ahead and be financially prepared to give your adopted pup the very best life. We’ll teach you everything you need to know about calculating estimated prices and expenses, so you can enjoy the fun part: playing with your new dog!

Section 1 of 4:

How much are dog adoption fees?

Adoption fees range from $50 to $200. Fees vary depending on the time of year, where you adopt, and what type of dog you adopt. Because of this, you can’t really know for certain how much adopting a dog will be until you talk to the organization or shelter you want to adopt from.^{[1]
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- Some adoptions fees can be as high as $118 to $667. It all depends on where and when you’re adopting.^{[2]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Animal Humane Society
  Leading animal welfare nonprofit organization providing medical care, training education, and resources for animal owners
  Go to source}
- Give your local shelter a call to see if they have any special adoption sales going on. Who knows? There may be a free adoption weekend around the corner!
- Some shelters may waive the adoption fee if you're a veteran.

Section 2 of 4:

What does the adoption fee cover?

1
Wellness check. When a pup first enters an adoption organization or shelter, they’re automatically given a check-up. Wellness checks are routine medical examinations that determine a dog’s overall health.^{[3]
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2
Disease tests. Many organizations and shelters will do an initial heartworm test when a new animal arrives to their facility.^{[4]
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3
Initial vaccinations. Puppies need a series of shots in their first year. Shelters and rescue organizations will give their rescues the “core vaccines” so they can interact with other dogs and be healthy and happy. Generally, these vaccines cost around $75 to $100 on their own. But when you adopt, they're included or require a $20 fee.^{[5]
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Trustworthy Source
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source}
4
Spay or neuter surgeries. Most shelters and rescue organizations will have dogs spayed or neutered when arriving in their care. These surgeries typically cost as low as $45 or as high as $300. This alone could cover the cost of your one-time adoption fee.^{[6]
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Microchipping. Some shelters and organizations will microchip rescues before they find their new families. These small devices store important contact information that a vet can scan to contact you if your pup is ever lost.^{[7]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source} Typically, microchipping costs around $20 and is included in adoption fees.^{[8]
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Trustworthy Source
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty
Go to source}
6
In the end, adopting saves you money. Rather than paying for all these things separately at the greatest price, you pay one adoption fee—think of it as a value pack! You get your pup, and all the initial care costs are covered.

Section 3 of 4:

What are the ongoing costs of adopting a dog?

1
Food. The size and breed of your doggo will determine just how much food they need. Keeping a pup well fed will cost about $30 to $80 a month.^{[9]
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- Some dog food is more expensive than others.
- Before buying, research what brands and prices work best for you. Sometimes splurging a little on a hearty food is worth it for your dog’s wellbeing.
2
Pet supplies. Collars, leashes, brushes, beds, crates, and dish bowls can really start to add up. Although these are one-time costs, you may need to replace some of these items as your pup ages. Think about setting aside $200 to $250 for initial supplies.^{[10]
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Trustworthy Source
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty
Go to source}
- If you’re looking to save a few bucks, consider searching for pet supplies at your local thrift store or asking a fellow pet owner if they have old pet supplies lying around.
3
Vet visits. Your furry friend will need to see the vet at least once a year for their annual wellness check. Depending on where you live, this check-up visit could cost between $45 and $85 each year.^{[11]
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- This estimate does not include extra examinations, tests, procedures, or medications.
4
Preventive medications. Those heartworms, fleas, and ticks won’t stay away on their own. A yearly supply of heartworm and flea/tick medication will cost about $185.^{[12]
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Trustworthy Source
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty
Go to source}
- Talk to your veterinarian about copay assistant programs or pet insurance that’ll cover your pup’s yearly medications.
5
Toys and treats. Playing with and training your pup is part of the fun of being a dog owner, but it’s not entirely free. Set aside about $100 each year, roughly $8 a month, to keep your furry friend occupied and happy.^{[13]
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Trustworthy Source
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty
Go to source}
- DIY toys and homemade treats are real and can help you save money! You may be able to make your pup a special toy or treat with some household items.
6
Boarding and daycare. It'll be an extra expense if you’re looking to have your pup stay at a doggie daycare. All boarding and care facilities are different but can range from $20 per day to $100 per night.^{[14]
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- Do some research on where you’d like your dog to go. You can even ask fellow pet owners if they have any cheap boarding recommendations.
7
Grooming. Some dog breeds need to be groomed every month. Be prepared to pay between $50 and $100 a month to keep your pup’s fluffy locks out of their eyes.^{[15]
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- Contact your local dog groomer to see what their rates are—they might even have special sales or discounts!

Section 4 of 4:

How to Calculate the Cost of a Dog

1
Have an idea of what type of dog you’d like to adopt. We know going to the shelter and connecting with a doggo is a big part of the adoption process. Still, there’s no harm in thinking about what dog would best fit your lifestyle. Are you looking to adopt a big dog? Tiny dog? Puppy? Elder? These questions can help you when calculating your adoption and dog budget.
- Puppies tend to cost more at shelters because they’re in high demand.
- Older and smaller dogs may require more veterinary care and medications.
- Larger dogs will go through a bag of kibble faster than a smaller dogs.
2
Make a list of what you need. If this is your first time adopting a dog, you’ll need all the initial supplies like a collar, toys, dog bed, you name it. On this list, write out the price of each item. This will help you understand how much you’ll have to pay upfront. Your list might look similar to this:
- Collar: $20
- Dog bed: $108
- Crate: $48
- Toys: $25
3
Estimate the cost of medical care. It’s always best to find your veterinarian or clinic before adopting a pet. Do some research and give the vet you’re eyeing a call. Your pup will need to visit the vet at least every year for a check-up and a yearly supply of heartworm and flea/tick medication.
- Some breeds may face more medical struggles than others. For example, German Shepherds, Dachshunds, and Pugs are prone to health issues.^{[16]
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- Health insurance can be beneficial for many pet owners, but can cost around $500 each year.^{[17]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
  Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty
  Go to source}
4
Take your lifestyle into consideration. Will you be walking your dog yourself or hiring a dog walker? Will you need to board your pup when away on a business trip? Does your apartment complex have a pet fee? These are important questions to ask when calculating the cost of a dog.^{[18]
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- Hiring a dog walker can cost $15 to $35.^{[19]
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- Apartment complexes may charge an initial pet fee and add a fee to your monthly rent. Contact your property or rental management for the exact cost.
5
Contact a local animal shelter. Once you have a rough estimate of how much a dog will cost you each month or year, it’s time to see how much adoption will be. Give the shelter you want to adopt from a call and ask about their fees. You may even be able to find this information online or on social media.
- Lots of shelters and organizations offer free adoptions near the end of the year.
6
Calculate the final estimated cost. Take your estimated monthly or yearly total and add it to the shelter’s adoption fee. Now you know how much a dog will cost to adopt and take care of year-round.
- On average, it costs about $3,221 to own a dog during the first year and around $1,391 each following year.^{[20]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
  Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty
  Go to source}

Expert Q&A

Question

What is the best place to get a dog from?

Amanda Marshall-Polimeni
Dog Behavior Consultant
Amanda Marshall-Polimeni is a Dog Behavior Consultant and the Owner/Founder of FurryTales in New Jersey. With a deep understanding of behavioral learning theories and a passion for the physical and psychological well-being of animals, Amanda specializes in using non-coercive, reinforcement-based approaches to generate desired behaviors. Amanda holds a BASc in Applied Psychology from NYU and is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) and Certified Behavior Consultant Canine (CBCC-KA). She has also completed a Master’s Course in Aggressive Dog Training. Her initiative and dedication to quality, comprehensive animal care at FurryTales led to her recognition by Grow by Acorns + CNBC.

Amanda Marshall-Polimeni

Dog Behavior Consultant

Expert Answer

Usually, local dog rescues and shelters, as this will give you the opportunity to meet with the agency, as well as interact with the dog in advance before bringing them into your home. Adopting an animal is a decision that should be carefully considered and researched, so do your best to know the shelter's mission and values. This will govern their philosophies in how they care for an animal, which ultimately has an impact on their development and upbringing.
Question

How do you decide if you can get a dog?

Amanda Marshall-Polimeni
Dog Behavior Consultant
Amanda Marshall-Polimeni is a Dog Behavior Consultant and the Owner/Founder of FurryTales in New Jersey. With a deep understanding of behavioral learning theories and a passion for the physical and psychological well-being of animals, Amanda specializes in using non-coercive, reinforcement-based approaches to generate desired behaviors. Amanda holds a BASc in Applied Psychology from NYU and is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) and Certified Behavior Consultant Canine (CBCC-KA). She has also completed a Master’s Course in Aggressive Dog Training. Her initiative and dedication to quality, comprehensive animal care at FurryTales led to her recognition by Grow by Acorns + CNBC.

Amanda Marshall-Polimeni

Dog Behavior Consultant

Expert Answer

This should only be considered with the full support and participation of parents/and or other family members. Some questions you should ask yourself before taking on this responsibility include: Do you like to abide by schedules? Can you put the needs of someone else ahead of your own? Can you be a teacher more than a friend? Dogs need more than petting and housing. They need companionship, guidance and commitment.