Found a Saint rescue I wanted...let down. =(

2083 Views 35 Replies 16 Participants Last post by Inga, Apr 6, 2009

Trelaboon

Discussion Starter · Apr 5, 2009

I've been wanting to adopt a Saint Bernard for a long time, I started actively looking recently and stumbled across a beautiful male that I really wanted to adopt, but he ended up having a 500 dollar adoption fee. Which was just too much for me and the wife to shell out for a rescue. He was a 10 month old surrender by someone in PA, I hope he finds a nice home....unfortunately it wasn't with us.

I think that's the worst feeling ever lol. Finding an adoption you'd love to snag, but for some reason, you just can't.

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BobSD

· #2 · Apr 5, 2009

Maybe that was a good thing for you and your wife at this point in life. If you are having trouble with the $$ tag, just think how much the food will cost unless to plan to buy the cheap cheap stuff, also the vet bills and the larger amount of med cost when you dog need some. So I would not feel bad, someone may be looking out for you upstairs.

rosborn

· #3 · Apr 5, 2009

What state/area are you in?

Inga

· #4 · Apr 5, 2009

Trelaboon. Keep your eyes peeled. If it is meant to be, it will be.

BobSD is right though. The $500. purchase/adoption fee is small potatoes over the total cost of dog ownership. You will need to have an emergency vet stash and food for a St. Bernard is pretty costly. They like to eat.

Have you looked at your local shelter? Our Shelter gets St. Bernard's fairly often but you gotta keep looking in on them. Not all St. Bernard's are the same. If this 10 month old pup was healthy and had a real nice temperament, it might be well worth the money. Only you know if it is right or wrong for you. Good Luck to you.

KenyiGirl

· #5 · Apr 5, 2009

wow, $500 seems like a LOT for a rescue! I'm sorry it didn't work out, Trelaboon.

Trelaboon

Discussion Starter · #6 · Apr 5, 2009 (Edited)

It's really not about whether or not I can afford the 500 dollar adoption fee. To me it just seems really high for a dog that was surrendered to someone for absolutely nothing, and already had all of it's shots. Also, I have two dogs already, so it's not as if i'm not prepared for the "costs" which is why I don't want to spend 500 on an adoption fee. By the time I spend money to get him aquainted with our vet, money for the 4 hour drive up/back, crate etc etc. I'd have well over a thousand dollars on him. I don't feel like spending that on a 10 month old dog.....I don't feel like i'm "rescuing" anything if someone's making more profit off of him than someone who bred a St. Bernard and raised it for 8 weeks would. Mostly that's the general idea for me and my wife....but that doesn't mean we aren't dissapointed.

I live in West Virginia btw.

Inga

· #7 · Apr 5, 2009

This guy was just under $300 from a rescue, or rather local shelter. He was only 4 1/2 months old. They are out there. You just gotta keep looking.

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Bonn1997

· #8 · Apr 5, 2009 (Edited)

That does sound like a lot. Why not offer $300 and see what happens? First you could inquire about why the price is so high. You could also look up how much other local rescue places are charging and when negotiating point out any discrepancy.

Inga said:
This guy was just under $300 from a rescue, or rather local shelter. He was only 4 1/2 months old. They are out there. You just gotta keep looking.

That is a beautiful dog! I like the Rottie a lot too

Inga

· #9 · Apr 5, 2009

Bonn1997 said:
That is a beautiful dog! I like the Rottie a lot too

Thanks, I do too. The Rottie is my dog.

Bonn1997

· #10 · Apr 5, 2009

Inga said:
Thanks, I do too. The Rottie is my dog.

HA! Was your Rottie full grown already in that pic? If so, that St. Bernard is gonna be SO HUGE! It's only 4 1/2 mos old and it's already much bigger than a Rottie!

angel_baby

· #11 · Apr 6, 2009

I understand that sounds high to you but for a Saint, it is a safety precaution. I work with a dog rescue and Saints normally don't go for under 300. My step dad owns a saint, I live at home and I know from experience they are a dog that takes a lot of work and a lot of money. Please PLEASE, make sure you are ready and expecting your pup to grow up from a little thing to at least a 200 pound dog. Training them early is a must! I hope you find your dream saint, good luck and happy trails.

Inga

· #12 · Apr 6, 2009

Bonn1997 said:
HA! Was your Rottie full grown already in that pic? If so, that St. Bernard is gonna be SO HUGE! It's only 4 1/2 mos old and it's already much bigger than a Rottie!

LOL NO! He was 4 1/2 months when my friend adopted him. He is 2 years old in that picture. And yes, my Rottie was is 18 months now, that picture was taken last weekend. They are best buddies.

Gus in not even close to 200 pounds. He is like 150 and needs to drop about 5 or so pounds.

Bonn1997

· #13 · Apr 6, 2009

Inga said:
LOL NO! He was 4 1/2 months when my friend adopted him. He is 2 years old in that picture. And yes, my Rottie was is 18 months now, that picture was taken last weekend. They are best buddies. Gus in not even close to 200 pounds. He is like 150 and needs to drop about 5 or so pounds.

OK, that makes more sense!

Donna5503

· #14 · Apr 6, 2009 (Edited)

Hi...I was looking through PetFinder.com and found this site located in West Virginia --- they have St. Bernard/Boxer Pups and the Fee is only $105.00/$115.00 neutered/spayed ....or $25.00 if there not fixed.

The pics looks more like St. Bernard than Boxer --- maybe this will help

Oops...I forgot to write the site....

http://www.afobcwv.org

Ok...bye

Trelaboon

Discussion Starter · #15 · Apr 6, 2009 (Edited)

angel_baby said:
Please PLEASE, make sure you are ready and expecting your pup to grow up from a little thing to at least a 200 pound dog.

Wow, i'm not sure where you get your information, but tha'ts the upper end of the scale....200 pound Saints are not common, 150 is like an average weight. Most of the ones on petfinder who are full grown are at around 140.. (females)

Although, I do admit that 200+ pound Saints exist, and that would be my preference, the bigger the better, I have the room. So might as well make him big and bold! =D

And yea, I already tried negotiating the price and asking why it was so high, the lady didn't give any answer other than "it's non negotiable"

The only safety precaution I could recognize, is not wanting to home the dog with just a random stranger, so the price is high because they want to make sure the dog doesn't get scooped up by just anyone.

angel_baby

· #16 · Apr 6, 2009

Trelaboon said:
The only safety precaution I could recognize, is not wanting to home the dog with just a random stranger, so the price is high because they want to make sure the dog doesn't get scooped up by just anyone.

Exactly. They want a saint to be with someone who knows what they're doing. And I'm not saying you don't but I have seen people get them just because they think they are beautiful dogs. Missy our saint tips the scales at 210 and the vet says she needs to gain at least 10 more because you can see her ribs. She is a very big girl. Her dad was 250 and considered a healthy weight.

Inga

· #17 · Apr 6, 2009

Right Breed for You?
Both long-haired and short-haired Saint Bernards shed and need regular grooming. New owners should be prepared for drool – there is no such thing as a dry mouth Saint. This breed makes wonderful family companions with obedience training and daily exercise, but due to their larger size, may do better living in the country or suburbs.

Working Group; AKC recognized in 1885.
Ranging in size from 25½ to 27½ inches tall at the shoulder and 130 to 180 pounds.

Willowy

· #18 · Apr 6, 2009

Trelaboon said:
To me it just seems really high for a dog that was surrendered to someone for absolutely nothing, and already had all of it's shots.

Do you know if he had all his shots at time of surrender? I would say that it's pretty rare for an animal to be turned over to rescue fully vetted. The price does seem high, but I don't know what vet costs are like in your area. If you price neutering a dog that size (a lot of vets charge by weight.....yikes! $$$$$!) and doing all his vet care (whatever they've had done for him), it might turn out to be pretty reasonable.

Plus, if he's purebred (even if from a BYB), I do think a rescue has a right to charge a bit extra considering the adopter is saving a certain amount by not buying from a breeder.

Around here the shelter REALLY grills prospective adopters of giant breeds---"you DO understand that he'll eat 100 pounds of food a month, right?". I suppose because most of them are surrendered because their former owners "can't afford care". There was a beautiful Saint at the local shelter last time I went, and they were grilling some young dude that wanted him. Evidently he didn't quite measure up, because the dog wasn't listed as "adopted" on their website for another week. I wanted him, too

. But no more dogs for me just now.

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Trelaboon

Discussion Starter · #19 · Apr 6, 2009 (Edited)

The woman said that the dog was only surrendered because the woman admitted "I love him, but simply do not have the time to care for him because I am single...and want someone to give him a better companionship etc etc." She said the dog was well cared for and what not, which leads me to believe it was vetted. Though I admit to having no proof.

I understand they shed, eat alot, and the whole works....I'm not uninformed on the breed...That's not my issue, honestly I don't have an issue with my decision on the breed, i'm not sure why everyone's "educating" me. I wasn't asking for advice, I was just making conversation lol. I thought that's what you do on a forum?! No?

I do have Shelties, so they're not the same at all, but i'm definitely familiar with shedding and grooming.

P.S. - I appreciate the counseling because I do understand your motives...Fear of abandomnet and mistreatment is obvious from everyone, which is why I love you. =D But it's not needed, I promise.

Willowy

· #20 · Apr 6, 2009

Hehe, I hope you weren't thinking I was trying to "educate"....I was just making conversation, too

. I do have a tendency to ramble

. I hope you can find the perfect Saint for you! Soon!

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