How Much Does It Cost to Rescue a Dog from Abroad?

Thinking about rescuing a dog from abroad but not sure about the costs involved? It's a wonderful way to give a loving home to a dog who desperately needs one, and while it might sound complicated, it's a straightforward process once you break down the costs and processes involved.

Here's our quick guide to help you understand exactly what to expect financially and why these fees matter.

What Costs are Involved in Rescuing a Dog?

When you adopt a dog from an EU country like Cyprus, you'll typically encounter a few main cost categories:

1. Adoption Fee
The adoption fee isn't just an arbitrary number; it covers essential health checks, treatments, and preparation needed for your dog to safely travel and settle in. Specifically, this includes:

Spaying/neutering: Preventing unwanted litters and certain health risks.
Vaccinations (including rabies): Crucial for your dog's health and mandatory for UK entry.
Microchipping: Legally required, helps reunite lost pets with their owners quickly.
Worming, flea, and tick treatments: Protects your dog from parasites common in many regions.
Fit-to-fly veterinary examinations: Ensures your pet is healthy enough for the journey.
EU pet passport: Necessary documentation for international pet travel.

2. Transport and Travel Costs
The travel fee is essential because it ensures your dog reaches you safely and comfortably. This fee includes:

Flight costs: Often involves travel from the dog's home country to mainland Europe or the UK.
Onward transport to the UK: Usually handled by professional pet couriers who safely deliver your dog to a convenient pick-up location.
Traces paperwork: A UK government requirement to ensure safe and legal animal importation.
Returning travel crates: Helps reduce waste and supports future rescue operations.

3. Additional Veterinary Costs (Post-Adoption)
For younger puppies, spaying/neutering isn't typically included, so you'll need to budget for this when they're old enough. It's an essential procedure that helps manage pet populations and prevents certain health issues later in life.

How Do These Fees Compare to UK Adoptions?

You might wonder how these international adoption costs stack up against adopting locally in the UK. Adopting a dog within the UK usually costs between £400 and £500, depending on the shelter and the dog's age. This fee typically includes similar health treatments but doesn't cover the international travel costs (obviously!).

Although rescuing internationally can seem slightly more expensive, remember you're covering significant additional expenses related to transport and documentation.

According to the RSPCA, adoption fees in the UK are designed to cover similar veterinary preparations to those listed above. However, adopting internationally means you're often giving a home to dogs who might have fewer adoption opportunities in their home countries, like in Cyprus, where dogs are often sent to Kill Shelters if they are not adopted fast enough.

Required Checks and Tests for International Rescue Dogs

Dogs rescued internationally need thorough health checks to make sure they're healthy, happy, and safe for travel. Here's why each test matters:

Snap 4Dx test: This test checks for diseases like Heartworm, Lyme Disease, Ehrlichiosis, and Anaplasmosis, conditions common in some countries but less prevalent in the UK.
Leishmania test: Especially important since Leishmania is prevalent in Mediterranean regions.
Rabies vaccination: Mandatory for every dog entering the UK, safeguarding both the pet and the local community.
Microchipping: Vital for safety, identification, and reuniting lost dogs with their families.
Veterinary Health Examination: Ensures your dog is healthy enough for the journey and ready for their new home.

Dali Dog Rescue UK Adoption Fees

At Dali Dog Rescue UK, our goal is simple: to find loving, permanent homes in the UK for dogs from Cyprus. We make sure the adoption process is transparent and easy for you and safe and comfortable for your new furry friend.

Here's our straightforward fee breakdown:

Total Adoption Cost: £610 (£540 for puppies).
Adoption Fee: £225 (£155 for puppies under 8-12 months). Covers all necessary vet preparations outlined above.
Travel Cost: £385, covering flights, onward transport, Traces paperwork, and crate return.

How and When to Pay

Initially, you'll pay £225 (£155 for puppies) to reserve your chosen dog after submitting the Adoption Application form. Once your home check is successfully completed, you'll then pay the remaining balance. Payments are handled conveniently via PayPal.

Adopting a dog from abroad with Dali Dog Rescue UK means not only changing a dog's life but also enriching your own. You'll soon see how your fees directly help save lives and bring joy into your home. To meet our available dogs, click here.