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The Real Price of Saving A Life - What It Takes To Shelter A Dog
We urge you to please share this article with as many people as possible to make them aware of the actual reality, and in turn, hopefully gain more financial support for shelters Friends of the Dog - Committed to education and improving the lives of dogs www.friendsofthedog.co.za : www.facebook.com/friendsofthedog.co.za |
Why Shelters Charge Adoption Fees?
Many well-meaning people are surprised to learn that adopting a dog from a shelter or breed rescue involves paying an adoption fee. After all, they’re offering a loving home to a dog in need — why should they pay for the dog too?
Others may feel that the fees should be lower. But when you consider how rapidly the cost of living is rising, it's clear these adoption fees are actually very modest.
Adoption fees typically range from R500 to R1350, depending on the organization. But even R1350 often doesn’t cover the basic vet costs involved in preparing a dog for adoption — never mind the broader costs of caring for the dog during its stay at the shelter.
For example:
- Sterilization at shelter rates: R1500–R2500
- Microchipping: R250
- Vaccinations and deworming: often included
- An after-hours vet visit: usually more than the adoption fee
Some shelters may offer reduced-cost or even free adoptions — but keep in mind, you get what you pay for. A responsible shelter will never cut corners on medical care or welfare.
What Does the Adoption Fee Cover?
Typically, the adoption fee should include:
- Initial vaccinations
- Deworming
- Microchipping (often registered under the shelter’s name to ensure safety)
When you compare this to standard private veterinary costs, adopting a shelter actually saves you a significant amount of money — while supporting a good cause.
The Harsh Reality for Shelters
Having worked with shelters for many years, we’ve seen firsthand the enormous amount of time, effort, and funding required to keep these organizations running.
Private shelters receive no government funding, not from the Department of Social Development (DSD), nor from municipalities. They rely entirely on:
- Donations and sponsorships
- Fundraising events
- Charity shop sales
- Corporate giving schemes (e.g., Woolworths, MySchool, MyVillage, MyPlanet)
- Kind-hearted individuals like you, who donate food, supplies, or money — even R10 makes a difference!
There is currently no national system in South Africa to register private shelters as “approved” and eligible for funding — something we believe must change. A system where shelters that meet health, safety, and welfare criteria receive government support would make a massive difference.
When you compare this to standard private veterinary costs, adopting a shelter actually saves you a significant amount of money — while supporting a good cause.
The Real Costs: A Monthly Breakdown
Here is a breakdown of common shelter expenses, based on an average of data gathered. The average number of dogs was 200. (Note: many costs below are calculated using shelter-discounted rates. Private rates are often much higher.)
Many well-meaning people are surprised to learn that adopting a dog from a shelter or breed rescue involves paying an adoption fee. After all, they’re offering a loving home to a dog in need — why should they pay for the dog too?
Others may feel that the fees should be lower. But when you consider how rapidly the cost of living is rising, it's clear these adoption fees are actually very modest.
Adoption fees typically range from R500 to R1350, depending on the organization. But even R1350 often doesn’t cover the basic vet costs involved in preparing a dog for adoption — never mind the broader costs of caring for the dog during its stay at the shelter.
For example:
- Sterilization at shelter rates: R1500–R2500
- Microchipping: R250
- Vaccinations and deworming: often included
- An after-hours vet visit: usually more than the adoption fee
Some shelters may offer reduced-cost or even free adoptions — but keep in mind, you get what you pay for. A responsible shelter will never cut corners on medical care or welfare.
What Does the Adoption Fee Cover?
Typically, the adoption fee should include:
- Initial vaccinations
- Deworming
- Microchipping (often registered under the shelter’s name to ensure safety)
When you compare this to standard private veterinary costs, adopting a shelter actually saves you a significant amount of money — while supporting a good cause.
The Harsh Reality for Shelters
Having worked with shelters for many years, we’ve seen firsthand the enormous amount of time, effort, and funding required to keep these organizations running.
Private shelters receive no government funding, not from the Department of Social Development (DSD), nor from municipalities. They rely entirely on:
- Donations and sponsorships
- Fundraising events
- Charity shop sales
- Corporate giving schemes (e.g., Woolworths, MySchool, MyVillage, MyPlanet)
- Kind-hearted individuals like you, who donate food, supplies, or money — even R10 makes a difference!
There is currently no national system in South Africa to register private shelters as “approved” and eligible for funding — something we believe must change. A system where shelters that meet health, safety, and welfare criteria receive government support would make a massive difference.
When you compare this to standard private veterinary costs, adopting a shelter actually saves you a significant amount of money — while supporting a good cause.
The Real Costs: A Monthly Breakdown
Here is a breakdown of common shelter expenses, based on an average of data gathered. The average number of dogs was 200. (Note: many costs below are calculated using shelter-discounted rates. Private rates are often much higher.)
|
Category
Dog Food
____________________________ Vaccinations & Deworming
____________________________ Microchipping
____________________________ Staff Wages
____________________________ Maintenance
____________________________ Utilities (water, electricity, gas)
____________________________ Phone, internet, website, admin
____________________________ Petrol
____________________________ Standard vet care (excl. sterilization)
____________________________ Sterilization
_____________________________ Rent
_____________________________ Outreach programs
_____________________________ Fostering support
_____________________________ |
Estimated Cost
R300 per dog (e.g. 200 dogs = R60,000/month)
_______________________________________________________ R250 per dog
________________________________________________________ R250 per dog
________________________________________________________ ±R6,000 per staff member; e.g. R42,000/month for 7 staff
________________________________________________________ R5,000/month
________________________________________________________ ±R50,000/month
________________________________________________________ ±R5,000/month
________________________________________________________ ±R12,000/month
________________________________________________________ ±R15,000/month
________________________________________________________ R1500–R2500 per dog
________________________________________________________ R5,000–R10,000/month
________________________________________________________ Varies
________________________________________________________ Varies
________________________________________________________ |
Capacity and Tough Choices
Most shelters operate at or near full capacity. When they reach their limit, they must turn animals away, as taking in more would compromise the wellbeing of all the dogs already in care.
Unfortunately, when this happens, shelters are often criticized for saying “no” — but it’s not due to lack of compassion. It’s simply not feasible (or ethical) to stretch limited resources beyond breaking point. In some tragic cases, overcapacity shelters have spiraled into hoarding or neglect situations, forcing NSPCA intervention.
Shelters don’t want to say no — it breaks their hearts, too. But responsible care means knowing your limits.
The Emotional and Physical Toll
Shelter managers and staff are on-call 24/7, juggling:
- Veterinary care
- Feeding and exercise schedules
- Daily cleaning and sanitation
- Managing charity shops
- Organizing adoptions and home checks
- Running fundraising events
- Managing social media and websites
- Paperwork, finances, staff rosters, and maintenance
All this, while balancing their own family lives. Many shelter staff are parents, carers, and breadwinners — and they still put the dogs' needs before their own.
It’s no wonder compassion fatigue is common in the animal rescue world. (We’ll be posting a follow-up article on this important topic soon.)
The Financial Gap
Let’s say a shelter facilitates 30 adoptions per month, at an average fee of R900 per dog. That’s R27,000/month in income — but, as shown above, monthly expenses far exceed this.
And as economic pressures increase in South Africa, adoptions are dropping, and so are donations.
The only thing keeping these shelters going? You. The generous donor, the volunteer dog walker, the companies that give discounted prices on necessities, the person who gives even just R20.
How You Can Help
- Donate: Even small amounts go a long way.
- Volunteer: Walk a dog. Play with them. Give them love.
- Share: Promote your local shelter on social media.
- Support PBO shelters: Many offer Section 18A certificates, so you can claim tax relief when you donate.
To All Our Donors and Supporters
From the bottom of our hearts: THANK YOU.
You are helping keep the doors open, the food bowls full, and the tails wagging.
Without you, private shelters would not survive. That’s the truth.
PAW NOTE: The following figures are based on information collected from several dog shelters and rescue organizations across South Africa. These vary significantly depending on the shelter's size, location, the number of dogs in care, and the level of veterinary treatment required. We've done our best to
present an approximate average for a general understanding. Please note: these figures do not include cats. Based on research - July 2025
Most shelters operate at or near full capacity. When they reach their limit, they must turn animals away, as taking in more would compromise the wellbeing of all the dogs already in care.
Unfortunately, when this happens, shelters are often criticized for saying “no” — but it’s not due to lack of compassion. It’s simply not feasible (or ethical) to stretch limited resources beyond breaking point. In some tragic cases, overcapacity shelters have spiraled into hoarding or neglect situations, forcing NSPCA intervention.
Shelters don’t want to say no — it breaks their hearts, too. But responsible care means knowing your limits.
The Emotional and Physical Toll
Shelter managers and staff are on-call 24/7, juggling:
- Veterinary care
- Feeding and exercise schedules
- Daily cleaning and sanitation
- Managing charity shops
- Organizing adoptions and home checks
- Running fundraising events
- Managing social media and websites
- Paperwork, finances, staff rosters, and maintenance
All this, while balancing their own family lives. Many shelter staff are parents, carers, and breadwinners — and they still put the dogs' needs before their own.
It’s no wonder compassion fatigue is common in the animal rescue world. (We’ll be posting a follow-up article on this important topic soon.)
The Financial Gap
Let’s say a shelter facilitates 30 adoptions per month, at an average fee of R900 per dog. That’s R27,000/month in income — but, as shown above, monthly expenses far exceed this.
And as economic pressures increase in South Africa, adoptions are dropping, and so are donations.
The only thing keeping these shelters going? You. The generous donor, the volunteer dog walker, the companies that give discounted prices on necessities, the person who gives even just R20.
How You Can Help
- Donate: Even small amounts go a long way.
- Volunteer: Walk a dog. Play with them. Give them love.
- Share: Promote your local shelter on social media.
- Support PBO shelters: Many offer Section 18A certificates, so you can claim tax relief when you donate.
To All Our Donors and Supporters
From the bottom of our hearts: THANK YOU.
You are helping keep the doors open, the food bowls full, and the tails wagging.
Without you, private shelters would not survive. That’s the truth.
PAW NOTE: The following figures are based on information collected from several dog shelters and rescue organizations across South Africa. These vary significantly depending on the shelter's size, location, the number of dogs in care, and the level of veterinary treatment required. We've done our best to
present an approximate average for a general understanding. Please note: these figures do not include cats. Based on research - July 2025
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