Do You Have to Pay to Rehome an Australian Cattle Dog?

Do you have to pay to rehome an Australian Cattle Dog? The answer depends on how you rehome the pet. If you find the dog a home on your own, you charge a fee rather than pay a fee. If you surrender the dog to a shelter, you’ll typically have to pay a fee of between $50 and $150. If you’re able to find a private rescue that will take your Australian Cattle Dog, whether or not they charge a fee will be based on their policies.

Which is the Best Option? 

If you cannot keep your Australian Cattle Dog, and you’ve exhausted all options to be able to do so, you’ll need to decide the best way to rehome your dog.

Surrender to a Shelter 

• You’ll have to pay a fee.

• You’ll have no control over what happens to your pet.

• There is a chance that the dog could be put down.  

Work with a Private Rescue

• It can be difficult to find a rescue with space for your dog.

• Reputable rescues will find homes for all their dogs, no matter how long it takes.

• The dog will usually be kept in a foster home rather than a cage. 

Rehome the Dog Yourself

• You have control over who adopts the dog.

• Takes a bit more time and effort.

• Help is available on Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet

If you decide to rehome the dog yourself, you should charge a rehoming fee of at least $50. This helps to ensure that the dog will not be used in nefarious ways, such as in dogfighting or in a lab. It also helps you weed out potential adopters who may not be able to properly care for the dog. After all, if they balk at a small rehoming fee, what will they do if the dog is sick and needs to go to the vet?

The shelters collect fees to help offset their costs, but the surrender fee you pay doesn’t come close to covering the money spent on the care of your Australian Cattle Dog. Whether you pay or collect a rehoming fee, there is a purpose to such fees.