Wants a poodle

[janelle]

I have a friend who wants a poodle. She can't afford to buy one. How does one go about getting a free dog?

[Shelteez2]

Dogs are never free. There's one time costs such as collars, leashes, bowls, beds....etc. Then there are costs that will last the lifetime of the dog such as food and vet care.

Best thing for your friend to do is save up some money and then look into poodle rescue in your area.

[janelle]

How much are the dog rescues? How much do they charge.

Doesn't anyone give away dogs like they do cats?

[CathyBogart]

If she can't afford a dog, how would she afford a vet? Not even just routine stuff, but what if there was an emergency? It's best to wait until you have the money to care for an animal before getting it.

[luvofallhorses]

Maybe she can volunteer her time at an animal shelter until she has money and time for one, my best advice to give is for her to get a job so she can afford the dog.

[catnapper]

Free cat? Where? Even my "free" fosters are far from free. If your friend cannot afford even the $100 adoption fee from a rescue or humane society, how can she be sure she'd be able to afford the basics like food, toys, vet care?

I spend about $100 on Nicki for food & basic supplies each month--- big dog = lots of food. I buy her bones, treats, her medicine (her new medicine for arthritis is $30 a month alone) plus her allergy medicine, flea control, heartworm prevention... come to think of it, Nicki's more like $150 a month for the basics.

Please, I urge your friend to st down and think about what the expense is. Also think this: At the Humane Society or a rescue, the dogs will be up to date on shots and vet care. If you were to find a "free" dog, your friend would be responsible to take it to the vet for distemper shots, rabies shots, and testing to make sure its healthy and free from worms and viruses. That visit alone would range in the hundreds of dollars.

[IRescue452]

I agree with everybody else about animal care expenses. Not many animals are free anymore because only bad breeders give their animals to just anybody and even then those breeders are in it for money. If we gave away animals where I live they would be taken away for research purposes, no lab pays 500 dollars for a dog, but if they can pose as a dog lover and get a free one they will. Sounds like your friend hasn't done much homework about owning a dog anyway. What are her reasons for wanting a poodle? I suggest she do some research first and then find a rescue or shelter.

[janelle]

She has had a dog before so I'm sure she knows the cost. She lives with her son and family. I think she wants a dog for free so she can save her money to pay the vet, etc. She may be short on funds since she is a recent widow. Wants a poodle so it won't shed much in her son's house.

I would be nice if someone's poodle recently had pups and they wanted a good home for them without wanting money.

[Giselle]

I agree. This is not a good situation for a dog. If she can't pay for the dog, she can't pay for the vet and food- period. You can have a dog, but that's not what we're worried about. We're worried about the care the dog will be receiving. Answer me this, did she license her dog? No? Why not? It's "only" 100$ for an intact dog and "only" 26$ for a fixed dog. Why a Poodle? Groomers can cost anywhere from 30-40$ to 100$ PER VISIT. A Poodle needs to go to the groomers a few times a year. Can't pay for the dog? Can't pay for the groomers. Was the dog inoculated annually? No? Why not? Not enough money for the vaccines? Not enough money for the dog. Period.

Please explain to your friend that she is in a horrible position to get a dog. These are the situations shelter workers have nightmares about. Furthermore, no reputable breeder will sell a puppy free of charge. Sure, you can buy a 30$ puppy from an ad, but it will have no health guarantee and could just as likely be riddled with heartworm and parvo which *will* cost a LOT of money to cure. Please tell her to wait and save up the money. Read more about dog care, and then reconsider getting a dog.

[janelle]

I don't know how she would answer any of these questions. I talk to her on another forum but she is so sweet and has taken care of other dogs.

Seems anymore lots of people can't afford a dog with the cost of getting one. Humane Society needs so much money up front and lots of people cannot adopt with so many regulations. Finding one in the paper is the only way some people can go. Maybe she can find a free one someone can't keep in her area.

My hubby wanted to adopt a dog for his kids and went to the Humane Society but after learning of all the regs he just decided it was too much hassle. Some dog was killed I'm sure cause he couldn't meet their requirmemts although it would have had a good home.

[janelle]

Oh, forgot she wants an older dog who is over the puppy tearing up chewing stage. Maybe someone who can't keep their dog anymore.

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Originally posted by janelle
Oh, forgot she wants an older dog who is over the puppy tearing up chewing stage. Maybe someone who can't keep their dog anymore.

In that case, I would advize her to go to a shelter. But she won't get it for free, that is for sure, as most shelters live on donations!

[janelle]

Maybe her son will get her one. He just came back from Iraq and he is so good to her.

[binka_nugget]

I got Kaedyn for $125 (very cheap compared to the $500 we paid for Kai). He came already vaccinated and neutered. Less to pay for, right? Barely!

Training classes to socialize - $100
License - $25
Food - $60
Vet Checkups x4 (I know he has gone way more than that though) - $100 (probably more)
Flea/heartworm preventative - $100
Vet: bite/stitches - $100+
Vet: Teeth extraction/consultation/medication/other fees - $307
Crate (to keep him safe when no one's home) - $120

Within the last year alone, I've spent a minimum of $912 on him. I didn't include some essentials (bowls, leashes, collars, tags), toys, treats and some other stuff. I will also be spending much more on hiring a trainer to help us get him over his problems (caused by his past owners). $912 is over 7 times more than what I payed to adopt him.

It doesn't matter if she gets the dog for free or not. There's just no way to escape the cost and responsibility of owning a dog.

However, if she is desperate to have a dog around, some shelters/rescues will foster out their animals and cover all vet and food expenses (I find that most don't, but I've found a few that do). It may not be what she wants exactly, but she'll be helping out a dog and rescue, and she can still save up for a dog of her own.

[BitsyNaceyDog]

Pets are not cheep... even rescues. Monthly we usually spend $500- $1000 on our pets. Ok, so we have a lot to care for, but bottom line is they cost money.