where your money goes
At Fishy’s Friends Rescue, we believe in being fully transparent about the cost of care. Sharing these numbers isn’t about putting a “price” on our pets — it’s about showing you the real investment it takes to move them from the streets or neglect into safe, healthy, adoptable lives.
By understanding what goes into vetting, feeding, and supporting each animal, you can see how adoption fees and donations directly fuel future rescues. Some pets cost far more than their fee covers, others balance out, but together they make it possible for us to keep saying “yes” to the next dog or cat who needs help.
These breakdowns also highlight how every contribution — big or small — creates a ripple effect. Each dollar stretches beyond one pet, strengthening our programs, covering emergencies, and helping us make a bigger difference for homeless animals across our community. This page shares what goes into each animal on average, so you can clearly see the value behind every adoption and donation.
Average costs per canine
Core Vetting Costs
Microchip: $20
Spay: $85–100
Neuter: $65–75
Vaccines (Rabies, Parvo/Distemper): $35–40
Health Testing (heartworm + fecal float): $40–80
Deworming: $20–30 per month they are in care
Monthly Prevention (heartworm/flea/tick): ~$35/month
Basic Needs
Dog food: $250–500/month (program-wide)
Toys, leash, harness, bed, crate, blankets, enrichment: variable
Behavioral Training (if needed)
Board & train: $600 per dog (4 weeks; only for unadoptable behavior cases).
Average Dog Total:
Healthy adult dog: $265–350 before monthly food & prevention.
Dog needing training: $865+.
DOG ADOPTION FEE- $300
Average cost per feline
Core Vetting Costs
Spay: $45
Neuter: $35
Vaccines (FVRCP & Rabies): $50–60 each (kittens need ×3 boosters)
Combo Testing (FIV/FeLV): $30
Fecal Float: $20
Parasite Prevention: $15/month
Microchip: $20
Basic Needs
Food, litter, boxes, toys, carriers, enrichment: variable
Average Cat Total:
Adult cat: $165–195 before monthly food & prevention.
Kitten (with boosters): $265–375.
CAT ADOPTION FEE- $200
Monthly Expenses
Bulk prevention + bulk microchips
Rescue insurance (full coverage)
Website + accounting software
Communications software + phone privacy app
Animals First & Pet Academy platforms
Supplies for adoption & outreach events
Range: $100–700/month
Average: ~$400/month
Adoption Fees vs. Real Costs
These adoption fees rarely cover the true cost of care. Sometimes we come out ahead, but more often we lose hundreds—and sometimes thousands—on a single animal.
Your adoption fee isn’t just a payment for the pet in front of you—it’s how we keep rescuing the next dog or cat who needs help.
Post-Adoption Support & Rescue Family
We never collect an adoption fee and wave goodbye. When you adopt from Fishy’s Friends Rescue, you gain:
Lifelong rescue family membership in our private adopter group
Direct connection to your pet’s foster for continued support
Access to our entire rescue team for advice and encouragement
Ongoing discounts from our trusted pet vendors
A true community of adopters, fosters, and rescuers who walk the journey with you
Adoption with Fishy’s Friends isn’t a transaction—it’s joining a family that stays with you and your pet for the long haul.
