5 August 2010
Why would a smaller dog be more money then a larger dog at a pet store or shelter?
Posted by admin under: Dogs .
I was just wondering why the pet stores or shelters charge more money for a small dog then a larger dog, regardless of the breed, why cant the prices be the same for the sizes, whats the reason for this?
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9 Comments so far...
Dogmom CA Says:
8 August 2010 at 8:02 am.
Most shelters don’t have different prices based on size, and you should never, ever buy from a pet store because you are supporting puppy mills! The reason the pet stores charge more for little dogs is because they can get suckers to pay it! The old supply and demand thing.
Kendra Says:
9 August 2010 at 1:36 am.
Pet Stores are terrible, BYBer, Puppy Mill supporters; Hence the overpriced terribly bred mongrels– DON’T BUY FROM THESE.
Sometimes the price varies by the dog (going by shelters here- ***** Pet Stores). If they need special needs, health problems or anything like that. Consider asking them, different policies for different areas. Most shelters don’t go by size, they go by the dogs themself, but prices usually stay in ranged between $50-$200. I adopted my APBT for $100.
Airi Says:
11 August 2010 at 6:59 am.
Because smaller dogs are not as costly to keep alive and healthy. They do not need as much food or other necessities as a larger one. so the stores have to make money of by selling the dogs more expensive.
Abe Says:
13 August 2010 at 2:13 am.
smaller dogs tend to live longer
Justarock Says:
13 August 2010 at 2:52 am.
maybe its because they dont want owners to get them because smaller dogs tend to bite childern so they end up going to shelters more.
Kei Says:
13 August 2010 at 7:19 am.
The reason why is beacause some dogs need special needs
Pixie Says:
15 August 2010 at 4:58 pm.
Not around here they don’t not with shelter anyway
Prices where i’m based in for animal shelters are based on the age, NOT the breed or size, some base there prices on the medical issues they had to cover, some simple cover the cost neutering which is pretty much what most of ours do-NO shelter has free vet care on all the animals,
Puppies – 8 weeks to 4 months $215.00
Dogs – 4 months to 7 years: $170.00
Dogs over 7 years- Golden apporx 125 or less.
RSPCA
Adoption Prices
Puppy$285
Adult dog (4 months+) $230
Senior dog (7 years+) $170
Petstores simple only care about money-that why they charge more for small dogs because small dogs are cute especial breeds like Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, hopefully easier to sell impulsivel to people casually walking past. Remember 99% of puppy from petstores come from puppy mills, so its NOT a wise idea to purchase from a petstore.
sickbxy Says:
15 August 2010 at 9:32 pm.
Most shelters that I know of increase fees based on if the dog is a puppy or adult or if the dog needed extra care. For instance, spays cost more than neuters so females were typically a little more or if the dog was already altered then they would be really cheap. Here’s one shelters view of fee schedules.
How much does it cost to adopt a pet?
“The fees for puppies and younger dogs are generally at the higher end of the range. Fees for more mature dogs, as well as those with special needs, are generally lower.
Attaching higher fees for some of our puppies and dogs gives us additional resources to provide extra help to other animals—those that may require unusually extensive medical treatment, orthopedic or other surgeries and extended care, prosthetic devices, and even more. Meanwhile, we can continue to provide our standard top-quality care and support to those animals in need of more routine medical care, socialization, behavior training, foster care, or that may just require a longer stay until they can be placed in the right home.
The fee assigned to a particular animal does not reflect our view of that animal’s intrinsic value. Every puppy, dog, kitten, cat or other small mammal is valued equally here. Every pet that comes to our doors deserves—and receives—the same tender care as every other.
If the puppy or dog you have selected has a higher fee than some others, keep in mind that the amount still represents a good value. In addition to any necessary medical treatment and behavior training we may have provided, the fee includes initial vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, a microchip ID, collar and tag, free 15-day post-adoption health support, and a free office visit to a member of the Denver Area Veterinary Medical Society. In our community’s retail sector, all of this could average $450 or more.
It goes without saying that no matter where our adoption fees are set, they don’t come close to covering all the costs of caring for the more than 25,000 animals that come to us each year. Generous donations make up the difference. Thank you for your support and understanding. “
Whitraclo Says:
17 August 2010 at 2:08 pm.
Simple, because smaller dogs are more in demand right now. It’s like how puppies are more expensive too, because puppies and smaller dogs are more adoptable, therefore people are willing to pay a slightly higher fee. Not all shelters do this, but there are some in my area that do (actually, not so much shelters as all-breed rescue groups). As far as pet stores…same reason. But pet stores are money hungry unethical establishments to begin with.