How much does {highlight} cost?
The price of an adoption, what it includes, and the real budget of a pet over a year — with no surprises.
The short answer
Adopting an animal from a shelter or association usually costs between €150 and €300 for a dog and between €100 and €250 for a cat. These adoption fees are far below the real cost: they already include microchipping, vaccination, spaying or neutering, and deworming. Adopting is therefore almost always cheaper than buying an animal, which rarely arrives with all that care done.
What the adoption fee covers
Unlike a purchase, the adoption fee reflects care already carried out by the shelter before the animal joins its family.
Identification
Microchip or tattoo, mandatory in France for dogs and cats.
Vaccination
Up-to-date primary vaccinations (feline panleukopenia and coryza for cats; the core vaccines for dogs).
Spaying / neutering
Often already done or included in the fee.
Deworming & antiparasitics
Treatment against worms, fleas and ticks before adoption.
Vet check-up
Health check and monitoring during the animal's stay at the shelter.
Adoption fees by animal
Indicative amounts: each shelter sets its own fees based on age, species and the care already provided. Always check the amount on the animal's profile.
| Animal | Typical adoption fee |
|---|---|
| Dog | €150–300 |
| Cat | €100–250 |
| Kitten | €100–200 |
| Small animal (rabbit, rodent) | €20–80 |
The real budget: after the adoption
The adoption price is just the start. A pet is a budget for its whole life — to plan for before you commit.
Food
The main cost: €200 to €600 per year depending on size and species.
Vet
Booster vaccines, deworming and routine care: €100 to €300 per year, excluding emergencies.
Health insurance
Optional but useful: pet insurance often costs €10 to €40 per month.
Equipment
Bed, litter, leash, toys, carrier: mostly a first-year budget.
On average, budget €700 to €1,200 per year for a dog and €400 to €700 per year for a cat.
Why are the fees so low?
A shelter is not out to make a profit: it asks for an adoption fee to cover part of the care, not all of it. The rest is funded by donations and volunteering. These fees also make sure the adoption is a considered decision and that the animal leaves with all its health guarantees — which is rarely the case for a purchased animal.
Frequently asked questions about price
Why pay a fee if the animal is "up for adoption"?
What is included in the fee?
Is it cheaper than buying an animal?
Is there any help to adopt?
Ready to meet your future companion?
Browse animals up for adoption near you and contact Boop's platform shelters directly.
