Why Consider Adopting an Older Dog?

When most people think of adoption, the first thing that comes to mind is heading to the RSPCA, AWL, or a local pound to give a dog a second chance. But there’s another path that often gets overlooked — adopting directly from a breeder who is rehoming an older, desexed dog that’s been raised in a home environment.

Both options can lead to finding the perfect four-legged companion, but the experience — and the adoption fee — can differ quite a bit.

Shelter Adoption in Australia: What the Fees Cover

Shelters like the RSPCA or Animal Welfare League work hard to give surrendered, stray, and rescued dogs a second chance.

What you’re paying for:

• Vet check and desexing (if not already done)
• Vaccinations and microchipping
• Flea and worm treatment
• Behavioural assessment and basic enrichment
• Food, shelter care, and staff support while in care

Typical adoption fees in Australia:

• Adult dog (over 12 months): around $300 – $500
• Puppy (under 12 months): around $500 – $650

Pros:

• You’re directly helping an animal in need
• Often lower upfront costs than buying through other channels
• Shelters have transparent adoption processes and usually offer limited  post-adoption support for a couple of days

Cons:

• Dogs may come with unknown histories
• Behavioural or training gaps are common
• Adjustment period can be longer

Breeder Rehomes: Training, Socialisation, and True Value

Reputable breeders sometimes rehome older dogs that they’ve retired from their breeding program, or puppies that didn’t go to homes earlier. These dogs are typically raised in a family environment, already desexed, and often come with hours of training and socialisation under their belt.

What you’re paying for:

• A dog that’s already house-trained, lead-trained, and often crate-trained
• Socialisation with people, children, and other pets
• Desexing, vaccinations, and microchipping done by the breeder
• A lifetime of knowledge about the dog’s bloodlines, temperament, and health

Lifetime Support and Rehoming
One of the biggest differences when adopting from a reputable breeder is the ongoing relationship. A good breeder doesn’t just hand over a dog and walk away — they offer lifetime support. That means if you ever have questions about behaviour, health, or training, they’ll be there to guide you.

Importantly, a responsible breeder also provides a rehoming safety net. If your circumstances ever change and you can no longer care for the dog, the breeder will take the dog back or help rehome them responsibly. This ensures the dog never ends up abandoned or in a shelter system.

By contrast, most shelters can’t provide ongoing personalised support after adoption. While they may offer basic advice or general resources, the individualised knowledge of a breeder who raised the dog from puppyhood simply isn’t there.

This is where the saying holds true: you get what you pay for. The higher adoption fee from a breeder isn’t just about training and socialisation — it also reflects the guarantee of a safety net and expert guidance for the dog’s lifetime.

Typical adoption fees in Australia:

• Older desexed breeder rehome: usually $800 – $2,000 (depending on breed and breeder reputation)

Pros:

• You know the dog’s full history and upbringing
• Training investment from the breeder saves you time and money
• Transition into a home environment is often smoother
• Many breeders offer lifetime support and rehoming plus health guarantees.

Cons:

• Higher upfront fee compared to shelters
• Availability is limited — you can’t “order” a dog this way
• You still need to consider ongoing costs (just like any dog)

Comparing Adoption Fees: Shelter vs Breeder

• Shelter Adoption: $300 – $650 is standard and reasonable, given it covers desexing and vet work but doesn’t include much individualised training.

• Breeder Rehome: $800 – $2,000 is reasonable because you’re essentially being compensated for the breeder’s time, training, and investment in socialisation — often equivalent to professional board-and-train costs that would otherwise run thousands.