Quite frankly, it depends on the animal.

For a horse? Sure, 3000-4000 is nothing for a one that has had good training -- and that excludes the breeding/background factor. (Some 1/2 breeds are able to be registered (ex. Morabs, Quarabs, etc) so they tend to be higher in price.) With horses, you get what you pay for.

Yes, there are horse rescues but sometimes the organizations don't have the resources to train foals...or the horses are only for limited/light riding... or are completely un-rideable (pasture pal only). This isn't pracitcal for the novice-intermediate rider who doesn't want/know how to train and/or needs a horse that can and will continue to meet their riding abilities.

I am in no way knocking horse rescues -- it's just that they may not have a horse suitable for everyone.


For a hedgie, rabbit, guniea pig, etc? No, thanks. And, yes I would have to either buy from a pet shop or buy from a breeder as there are not any rescues in the area.

For a cat? No, thanks. I'll stick to the strays and/or the pound.

For a dog? No, I wouldn't pay in the 1000s -- in the 100s, maybe. If in search of a particular breed, I would check rescues/pound first but if I didn't *click* with any of the animals then, yes, I would go to a breeder.


In this area, there are very little rescues of any kind; I think that's another thing to consider. If in search of a particular breed, what resources/avenues are available to you?


Lastly, I haven't voted because I don't see a selection that fits my answer. "Because I can" sounds a bit haughty as it depends on the animal in question. "The breed is perfect for me" doesn't consider some factors that make an animal $$$ even though it could be of mixed breeding. If there were an option for "Other" or "It depends on the animal," that's where my vote would be placed.