Adopting a Dog? Prepare for This Upfront Expense

One of the best decisions you might make in your lifetime is the decision to adopt a dog. Not only might a dog provide you with the companionship you crave, but there's something so rewarding about knowing you've rescued a dog who otherwise wouldn't have had a home.

But even if you're adopting a dog and aren't buying one from a pet store or breeder, you might spend a fair amount of money when bringing them home. That's something you'll need to prepare for financially.

Don't forget about pet adoption fees

Animal shelters and rescues that take in stray or unwanted animals have many costs to bear. It's common for these groups to spend money tending to animals' medical needs before they're adopted out. And the costs there can be exorbitant.

It's pretty common for shelters and rescues to charge an adoption fee to those looking to bring home a pet. This isn't a means of these groups profiting from your decision so much as a way of recouping costs and being able to stay afloat. So frankly, it should be a fee that you're willing to pay.

But you should also know that Rover puts the average cost of a dog adoption fee at $0 to $600. Clearly, that's a pretty big range.

If you're using a rescue, not a shelter, you may be looking at the higher end of that range, though that's not always the case. The type of dog you adopt might also determine what adoption fee you pay.

Some dogs are designated as benefactor dogs by rescues. These dogs tend to be more desirable breeds, and they often come with a higher adoption fee to help these groups adopt out less-desirable breeds at a lower cost. But either way, expect to spend something to bring your dog home.

Make sure you can handle the expense of a dog

One of the biggest mistakes some well-intentioned pet owners make is adopting an animal only to realize after the fact that they couldn't afford their care. As a general rule, if you can't afford your pet's adoption fee, it means you probably can't afford your pet, period.

On the other hand, if you can't afford a pet at present but really want one, save up. Boost your cash reserves over time so you have enough money to cover not only adoption fees, but other upfront costs you might bear.

If you've never owned a dog before, for example, you might spend a few hundred dollars on a leash, food bowls, and other supplies just to get started. You don't want that to end up being a credit card charge you pay off over time and accrue interest on.

Finally, whether you're adopting a dog or another animal, plan to put pet insurance in place very early on. That could spare you from having to raid your savings to cover unplanned healthcare emergencies.

Remember, when you adopt a dog (or any other pet), you may not get their full medical history because the group you adopt from may not have those details themselves. So you're taking a risk in that regard. You can help minimize the financial aspect of that risk by buying pet insurance so your pet's medical care is largely covered.

Also, having pet insurance in place might give you more peace of mind. And that could help you focus on bonding with your new pet rather than stressing about the bills you might soon face.