Adoptions are not free because not only do we rescue the heart and soul of the little faces that come to us but we restore their physical health as well.

As a non-profit organization, we pay for the veterinary expenses on each new rescue and therefore have a flat Adoption Fee Donation structure to cover the cost of the medical attention they receive.

Most dogs that come to us are of average health, but some come with problems that require more expensive treatment. Vet bills for back surgery and heart-worm treatments are just a few needs that can run into the thousands of dollars.

It is our commitment that no dog gets turned away. Each of our rescues gets the same loving care that is covered by one flat fee/donation.

Fees are determined by medical costs we normally incur when preparing a dog for adoption.

Puppies carry a higher fee because they require a series of vaccinations spanning over a period of 6 to 16 weeks as well as a spay or neuter surgery. The cost is recovered in the adoption fee donation.

Similarly, vets charge more to spay a female than neuter a male and that cost difference is reflected in their adoption fee donation.

Our fees also provide for a dog’s more advanced age by gradually reducing the donation fee for older pets to allow them to be more adoptable.

Additionally, for dogs that come to us bonded together, reducing the fee in order for them to be adopted together and remain, bonded, is our priority.

The adoption fees take into account many priorities including the age, gender and medical care a dog needs. Our goal is to always provide whatever a dog needs in order to be adopted healthy and well-adjusted.

Shelters call us to take dogs into rescue when they cannot afford to pay for the medical care a dog needs or when the time allotted for the dog’s adoption at the shelter has passed. (State law allows 5 days in the shelter and then the dog is euthanized.) We are called upon as their last hope.

Again, it is our commitment at Kentucky Dachshund Rescue that no dog gets turned away. We will take the dog and pay for whatever is necessary.

The dog is then placed in foster care (a family setting) and we begin to socialize him or her. Some have never had much human contact, especially from a loving human, and some dogs have even been abused and severely neglected.

You can’t imagine what it feels like to see a dog come "into their own" when placed in a loving family setting and accept the love they so much need and deserve. This is our reward.

Because we take so many dogs that need extensive medical care, the adoption donation fee may be higher than what local shelters charge. They call us when they have a dog that is going to require more than they can give it, either in time to adopt or medical care. But they know we are their best chance.

A full veterinary examination.

Test for worms (including heart-worm)

Vaccinations (dhppc, rabies, bordetella)

Spay/Neutering

Dentals (when necessary)

Other medical attention as needed there is an additional charge on adoption*

microchip (pre-registered)

You will also be given the following upon adoption: Medical records. food sample, heart-worm preventative sample, and a flea preventative sample.

Kenneling $200+ per month

Vaccinations $100+

Dentals $250+

Transport $125

Spay/neuters $100+

Grooming $45

Preventatives $25

Rescue Cost $600-900

But saving a life, and getting a new best friend is priceless.