Compare adoption costs against buying a pet and the rescue contribution.
Adopting adds the fee, starter supplies and any donation, while comparing the fee against market value shows the upfront saving of rescue versus buying. Adoption fees help shelters cover spay, vaccines and care, so the cost comparison should recognize the value of what the fee supports.
Adoption Fee vs Rescue
Total = adoption fee + supplies + donation; savings = market value - adoption fee
Total = adoption fee + supplies + donation; savings = market value - adoption fee Adopting adds the fee, starter supplies and any donation, while comparing the fee against market value shows the upfront saving of rescue versus buying.
Adoption fees help shelters cover spay, vaccines and care, so the cost comparison should recognize the value of what the fee supports.
This calculator takes 4 inputs: Adoption fee, Initial supplies, Rescue donation, Market value. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic starting point — replace them with figures from your own environment for a result you can act on.