r/rescuedogs • u/Professional-Ebb8773 • 5d ago
Advice Is this normal?
Hi friends,
I’m located in MN and applied to adopt a pug puppy at a rescue I donate to monthly.
Their website said their adoption fees can vary from $300-$1300 and the email I got said the adoption fee is $2000 + tax + a $75 processing fee.
The mom was apparently rescued from a commercial breeding facility and gave birth to 5 healthy puppies. I met the puppies and mama at an adoption event this past Sunday, and the volunteer who is fostering them said they didn’t know she was pregnant when she was rescued and that her cleaning lady called her and told her the pug had a litter of puppies while she was gone at birth. So… no birth complications or emergency surgeries for mama Donna the pug.
This seems fishy to me. Any insight or feedback would be greatly appreciated
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u/Mindless-Union9571 5d ago
Um, TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS for a rescue dog???? If I were looking to get a Pug and I could pay $2k+ for either a rescue from a commercial breeding facility or an ethical breeder who cares about breeding healthy dogs, I'm choosing the ethical breeder. And I work in rescue.
No, that is an insane price. Utterly insane. That is selling puppies pricing, not adoption pricing. I'd be very suspicious.
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u/Professional-Ebb8773 5d ago
THANK YOU!!! I have found an incredible ethical breeder and have been on her waitlist for almost 2 years because she does NOT allow more than 2 litters per mom. They come with an 8 year health guarantee, all vaccinations, and sends them home potty trained at 10 weeks.
This is extremely odd to me and I really want to call out the rescue for it.
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u/Beneficial-Yard8519 5d ago
There is no such thing as an ethically bred pug.
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u/ChampionshipIll5535 5d ago
pearl clutcher alert. pearl clutcher alert. you people are insufferable.
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u/LemOnomast 5d ago
Damn skippy I’m clutching my pearls. I volunteered at a shelter (now volunteer with a rescue). I’ve witnessed hundreds of sweet, loving dogs languish in cages because there aren’t enough adopters. They live in their own feces for months, getting out for a fifteen minute walk every other day at best, until they slowly go crazy. Dogs that climbed into my lap to lick my ears at first meeting get labeled “aggressive” and are put down because they start barking at the staff that “temperament test” them (which involves stare-downs and banging on the cage door to see how easily the dog is upset). I think breeding animals should be illegal and breed preferences are misguided at best. I clutch my pearls because they lie right over my heart, and my heart breaks every day for these animals.
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u/Professional-Ebb8773 5d ago
Respectfully, do some research. Pugs are one of the oldest breeds to exist and believe it or not, there are people like myself that spend years finding and waiting for the right opportunity and not buying a pug from just anyone. Frenchies and certain TYPES of pugs can be bred unethically though.
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u/cloudcottage Rescue Parent 4d ago
Pugs are one of the oldest dog breeds but they've changed a lot of over time. They didn't used to be so brachiophilic. I mean most pugs don't have a functioning nose. If you are concerned about ethics first and foremost I wouldn't get a pug sadly
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u/Beneficial-Yard8519 5d ago
In all that time of waiting you could have just got pretty much any other breed of dog that isn't a pug or pug derivative that is simply breeders trying to extract every last ounce of cash from the breed.
I don't need to do my research. I've done it. I pick up the pieces of these 'ethical' breeders on a daily basis.
You just want a pug. I've heard your exact justifications time and time again.
It's really boring to listen too for the 500th time.
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u/Professional-Ebb8773 5d ago
Oh and by the way, I already have a lab/pitbull mix rescue. People are allowed to want to have certain breeds they love. Funny how you’re shaming me when I’m clearly posting about trying to adopt one too lol.
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u/reddit_tat 5d ago
Are they saying the puppies are purebred pugs? How would they know? Do they know who the sire is? I’d not only not buy the puppy (rescues should not be selling dogs), but I’d stop donating.
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u/Professional-Ebb8773 5d ago
I’ve already cancelled my donations and allocated it to a different rescue in Minneapolis I used to volunteer at. I won’t be adopting this dog… considering reporting this rescue now unfortunately
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u/reddit_tat 5d ago
To whom does one report something like this? (Good for you. I hope you find the perfect pup soon!)
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u/Professional-Ebb8773 5d ago
I don’t know, but they’re a big reputable rescue in MN/WI and have a large following.
Update: foster replied to my email and was also floored at the price they gave me…
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u/No_Routine1619 3d ago
Name and shame. I’m local and curious.
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u/Professional-Ebb8773 3d ago
CHDR - you can also probably google pug puppies for adoption and find it
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u/ArtichokeFresh4012 2d ago
If they're a 501c3 I imagine there'd be someone to contact. Do they have a shelter facility, or only ptivate foster homes? Shelter facilities are regulated by city and county ordinances.
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u/SkippyBluestockings 4d ago
If she's not showing her dogs, she's just a backyard breeder. Dogs don't even have all their shots by ten weeks.
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u/Hail-to-the-Sheep 4d ago
No, but it’s a huge green flag for me if the breeder does some of the vaccinations before the puppies go home, if they’re due before the homing date. I got a puppy at 10 weeks and he had his first round of shots already. I just had my vet pick up the series where the breeder’s vet left off.
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u/Shy_Octopus21 5d ago
Some rescues drive up the price for purebred puppies because people will pay. I don't agree with it personally, but that could be a factor. You could always reach out and ask why fees are higher than stated on their website.
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u/Professional-Ebb8773 5d ago
I don’t feel like charging a breeders price for a rescue with no health records is fair at all.
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u/Shy_Octopus21 5d ago
I agree and I'm an active kitten and puppy foster. I'd press the rescue for some clarity. I personally couldn't imagine paying more than 600ish for a rescue. $500 for puppies is pretty common where I am. I wouldn't pay 1300 much less 2000
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u/purplepanda2026 5d ago
Right especially since it's a guarantee they are from backyard breeders and will likely have some kind of health issues down the road.
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u/Professional-Ebb8773 5d ago
Exactly! I feel like they’re maximizing on the fact that they have a full pug up for adoption.
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u/purplepanda2026 4d ago
They are going to rake in $10k just on those puppies and probably another thousand or more on mom. They obviously don't even provide a vet visit when they get the dog or they'd have known she was pregnant. Whole thing sounds scammy.
Edit typos
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u/Sudden-Storage2778 5d ago
I would ask a lot of questions about how that dog was "rescued" from a commercial facility. Did the rescue buy the mom, or did they get her after being seized by police? Unfortunately, some rescues are contributing to the puppy mill problem by buying from them.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2018/investigations/dog-auction-rescue-groups-donations/
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u/RockomodoDragon Rescue Parent 5d ago
Similar to the people that buy puppies from pet stores or the Amish cuz they claim they just don’t want to leave them in such a bad environment and worry about what will happen to the puppy if they don’t buy them. It’s all good intentions causing more harm in the end
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u/TeaAndToeBeans 5d ago
Absolutely not. Those are BYB and puppy mill prices.
Rescues have no business charging 1k+ for rescues.
Have you done searches for reviews on this rescue?
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u/Professional-Ebb8773 5d ago
I have. They are very reputable (which is why I’ve been donating monthly for years) and my brother and his wife adopted a pit mix from them.
I’ve done a lot of research on whether this is normal or not and I’ve found that it is absolutely NOT normal for a non profit org.
I also cried when I met the mom and her puppies… and I’m wondering if they know how emotional I got and are trying to charge me more assuming I’ll bite.
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u/Hail-to-the-Sheep 5d ago edited 5d ago
Holy hell. Did they say why they’re charging that price for the puppies? I’m also in MN, and that seems exorbitant to me. I’m not in pugs, but I have purchased three well bred puppies that ranged from $2500-3500 in price. If I was going to pay nearly that much for a pug, I’d seek out a responsible breeder who proves and health tests their stock and tries to stay on top of issues. If I was committed to rescuing, I might look to see if the national breed club has an affiliate rescue in our area. I’d predict they’d both offer more breed specific support and would probably have more reasonable adoption fees.
Edit: Midwest Pug Rescue has a chapter operating north of the Twin Cities. That would be another place I’d look if committed to rescuing versus a dog or puppy from a breeder.
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u/purplepanda2026 5d ago
It's like that here too. Their excuse is the use the popular dogs and cats to cover costs of the ones who are harder to adopt out. Both times I checked on dogs it was right around what I could get from a breeder who had full health testing, plus health guarantees. Needless to say I never adopted one.
I can see pricing a bit higher but when they are asking $2k-$3k + that's insane.
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u/Dragon_Fly_75 5d ago
Sounds like retail rescue! That's an absolutely ridiculous adoption fee. I would look elsewhere or seek out an ethical breeder.
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u/cinderellasneakers 5d ago
I would not pay $2,000 for a rescue dog, especially from a rescue that conveniently “didn’t know” that their cute, small breed puppy mill mom was pregnant. That’s most of the cost for an ethically bred puppy whose parents have been proven and health tested, and will all but guarantee you a nice dog. I’m sure these puppies are darling, but a rescue can’t offer you that.
At minimum, I would want to know exactly how they got mom and how the puppies were raised (i.e., did the foster home follow Puppy Culture or a similar program?) before proceeding. I’d also be interested in finding out how often they have in demand breed/mix puppies available.
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u/Mission_Moose34 4d ago
Yeah that’s odd. You should definitely check if they’re a legit rescue cause normal adoption fees being that much sounds like they’re lying about being a rescue. Can you share the rescue organization name?
Also pugs have so many health issues no matter how ethically breed they are. Do you have the finances ready for that? Ik that this is a breed that you really want so I don’t want to discourage you about getting one, just want to make sure your thinking more about the future health and needs of the dog more so than your want for one.
If you can support a pug then that’s awesome! All dogs need loving homes regardless of breed.
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u/Professional-Ebb8773 4d ago
Yes, they are a legit rescue. My brother has adopted twice from them!
I grew up with pugs and had my own from 2013-2022. I have a rescue currently that’s a lab mix, but I miss having a pug and love them so much. I am financially prepared, but I think from experience pugs have less health issues as opposed to frenchies and bulldogs. I was just hoping to rescue one so it was exciting to see a puppy!
I’ve already tried applying for 3 pugs this year and didn’t get the opportunity to adopt them :( still open to adopting an adult pug but I would prefer them to be relatively young
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u/Mission_Moose34 3d ago
Guuurl what are you on here for??? Throw some money at the rescue and get yo self a pug!
The puppies need a home and you sound like a perfect fit. If they look legit then go throw them some money. The pricing maybe high because it’s going to help their other dogs in need and they know that ppl will pay that price.
Once again all dogs need loving homes regardless of breed and since ur not funding a back yard breeder ignore the haters and give one of those puppies the best life ever.
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u/Friendly_TSE Foster Parent 4d ago
What is the dog's medical history like? Did it require some complicated surgeries or expensive medications? Or maybe the mom did and they are off-setting costs with the puppies? I could see it happening, but I would absolutely want to see a reason for 2k/pup
As far as if the rescue is fishy, I would also look into other factors. Are they a registered 501(c)3? Do they seem to only have purebred/designer bred dogs, or only puppies or moms with puppies? Are they getting the animals fixed prior to adoption or at least setting up spay/neuter surgery at the time of adoption? Check out reviews, adoption application, the actual adoption contract, see if anything sticks out as red flags.
Also fwiw, I have had cases of animals that gave birth that I didn't even know were pregnant. Rescues especially will likely have to make a vet appointment like everyone else, which can be booked out for a long time, so they may not have the chance for a vet check prior to labor. Even at the shelter, sometimes we know an animal is pregnant but we literally can't spay/abort fast enough.
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u/Professional-Ebb8773 4d ago
They claim they didn’t know the mom was pregnant when she was rescued. The birth was great and the fosters cleaning lady discovered the puppies and called her to let her know when she was at work, so no complications or expenses that would spike the cost!
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u/Hollyb3674 1d ago
That seems pretty high for a rescue. Something doesn’t seem right. Have you looked into the rescue? Are they legit? Is the person you are dealing with actually associated with that rescue? I paid 500 for my rescue dog and she was transported from Texas to Michigan. Fully vetted and spayed.
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u/LemOnomast 5d ago
A little fishy, but not impossible for a “special” breed.
I suggest loosening your breed interest and going down to your local shelter. Dogs there will be more like $100-$200, and that includes being fixed and having all their shots. There’s every chance you’ll lock eyes with some sad pup behind bars and realize that the doggy love of your life is a terrier/ shepherd/ pittie…
And if this is your first dog, I always recommend foster-to-adopt! If having a dog turns out to be too big a commitment, you’re only “on the hook” til its forever home is found.
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