BICHON FRISE RESCUE RANCH, INC.

FEES AND OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Does it Cost to Adopt?

There are fees in adopting a rescue dog!  Normal adoption fees for our rescues vary depending on the age of the rescue. Adoption  fees  help us to continue to provide care for  incoming rescues.   We are not supported by any government programs, so fees collected help defray our costs for vet care, grooming, room and board.   The higher adoption fee on younger rescues, help offset the overall cost of housing the older rescues, puppy mill dogs and shy rescues which tend to stay much longer and can cause higher vet bills. 

NOTE:  Although we get many under 2-year old dogs, Bichon puppies in general are high in demand from breeders, and range from $800 - upwards to $2,500!  So do not get your hopes set for an under 8 month-old rescue.  If you are looking for a puppy because Bichon puppies  "are just too expensive" you need to look elsewhere.  We will not place one of our rescue dogs with owners looking for a bargain dog.  Those owners generally look for bargain food, vets, and groomers, and DO NOT make quality owners.  We are here to provide rescues dogs with permanent quality owners who will give them the best!   Bichons are high maintenance dogs...they require monthly grooming, quality food, and sometimes have on-going problems that will need medical attention.   If you are on a limited income, a Bichon is not the dog for you. 

Adoption Fees:  For each individual rescue should be posted on the web site next to the photo and description of the rescue.      www.BichonFriseRescueRanch.org/availability.htm 

    Sorry, we cannot give "Senior Discounts", however many of our local shelter do so, and we would encourage you to check with the shelters for a rescue.  They too need new homes!   

Additional fees    Posted adoption fees are a local price and do not include any shipping costs to place a rescue out of state.   Estimated shipping fees are as follows UPDATED 02/07/2011: (subject to change without notice):   Airfare:  $178 - $320  health certificate (required by airlines and must be obtained from vet):  $75 -w/rabies:  $107, travel fees and tolls to airport and vet: $50,  medium kennel & blanket: $75-85.  Total estimated shipping costs:  from $385-$550

And here is our: RESCUE ADOPTION CONTRACT  , which outlines your responsibility of parenthood! This is for viewing purpose only.  Please do not fill this out and send it in.  We will have you complete an application in person if you adopt a dog from us.   

 Want to help?   

Donations are always appreciated! Like all rescue groups, we need support by volunteers who are willing to donate time and resources to provide unwanted or lost animals a temporary home, until a forever home is located for them.

You can help in many ways:

1) Money for vet bills:  Most rescues require vet attention for various needs, some major. As any pet owner knows, this can be a big expense. A donation of $10 a month can be combined with other funds and go a long way in helping a dog in need.    Your Tax Deductible dollars  can help us continue to give quality care to the rescues that need care.  All rescues leave here neutered, vet checked and are given dentals if needed.  Additionally while here they are groomed on a regular basis and are current on vaccines.   Our cost for neuter, rabies  and dental runs $268.00 per rescue and although no salaries are paid at the "ranch" daily expenses average $44.39.

2) Join us for our annual fund-raiser or one of our other fund-raising get-togethers.

3) Have spare time? Like to travel?  Many of our rescues come from or are placed out of state, or in far reaches of the Colorado, and we need ways to transport them. Additionally, we have vet appointments, posting notices, and other misc. places to go.  Lastly, we always need volunteers to go to the local PetsMart to feature a rescue pet in need of a home.   If you could help us on any of these errands, it will free us up for other things.    

4)  Have love to share?  Many of our rescues need to learn that humans are not to be feared, others are just afraid because they don't know what happened to their family and why they landed in a strange place.  They need love and hugs.   Come visit, speak a kind word, share a treat, hold them for awhile.  You will get as much out of the visit as they do. 

5)  Have a garage sale, bake-sale, or encourage the kids to have a lemonade stand and donate the money to the Bichon Rescue Ranch. 

Any and all help is greatly appreciated by ourselves, and our rescue pets.  We all thank you for taking the time to read our website and for taking an interest in rescue!     

LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST:  We'd like to give special thanks  to our wonderful vets:  Drs. Annette Stumf  & McKenzie Goldthwait and the loving staff at Annie's Animal Clinic who always work us in to their schedules.  To all our volunteer drivers who run errands and pick up rescues for us. To Channel 9, Channel 4 and Animal Planet for all the wonderful media support they give us!  To Mimi's Bichonland and Gail, of BichonRescue for the use of their graphics.  To Elbert County employees and Commissioners, for their patience in putting up with all that has gone on with our fight for our legal right to open and maintain our permit to run the Bichon Frise Rescue Ranch, Inc.  

E-mail  PKBichon@aol.com