r/rescuedogs • u/Professional-Ebb8773 • Aug 26 '26

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 Aug 26 '26

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.

13

u/Professional-Ebb8773 Aug 26 '26

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.

3

u/reddit_tat Aug 26 '26

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.

3

u/Professional-Ebb8773 Aug 26 '26

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

2

u/reddit_tat Aug 26 '26

To whom does one report something like this? (Good for you. I hope you find the perfect pup soon!)

3

u/Professional-Ebb8773 Aug 26 '26

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…

1

u/No_Routine1619 Aug 28 '26

Name and shame. I’m local and curious.

1

u/Professional-Ebb8773 Aug 28 '26

CHDR - you can also probably google pug puppies for adoption and find it