08/26/2026
Mom here: AN IMPORTANT UPDATE FROM THE TEAM HERE AT MAC’S MISSION
We know adoption fees are an important consideration when adding a new family member, and we want to be completely transparent about why a change is necessary. Starting September 1st our adoption fee will go from the long held $200 to $350 in an attempt to keep our doors open and offset the critically low donations. We hope by sharing the numbers, you’ll understand that this isn’t about making money—it’s about helping us continue to save lives.
Mac’s Mission is a "medical rescue", one of the few specifically designed just for this need. The dogs who come through our doors often need more than the basic care required to make them adoptable. Many arrive needing veterinary treatment, dental work, bloodwork, X-rays, heartworm treatment, or other medical intervention. And even before a dog needs anything extra, the basic veterinary care adds up quickly.
🩺 BASIC VETTING FOR A DOG UNDER 45 LBS:
• Exam — $65
• Rabies — $23.60
• Heartworm test — $45
• Spay/neuter — $85–$115
• Distemper — $8 (adult dogs receive it twice; puppies require multiple doses)
• Bordetella — $5
• Microchip — $10
• Heartworm prevention — $5–$10/dose
• Dewormer — $5
Total: $259.60–$302.60
And that is before housing, food, bathing, medications, supplies, transportation, and basic daily care. Now add the medical needs we so commonly see:
🦷 Dental — $250–$300
🩸 Bloodwork — $150
🩻 X-rays — $140–$200
🦟 Heartworm treatment — $1,000–$1,200
Suddenly, that $200 adoption fee doesn't come close to covering the cost of preparing many of our dogs for adoption. Dogs only given a chance because we exist.
📊 HERE'S A REAL LOOK AT OUR NUMBERS:
In May alone, Mac’s Mission spent $12,269.34 on vetting for 42 dogs at just one vet we use, out of many vets. And this is us "limiting intake" trying to spread the donations the farthest this entire year. That averages out to $292.13 per dog. And that's an average. Some dogs need very little beyond routine care, while others can require thousands of dollars in medical treatment.
We know $350 is a significant increase from $200. We also know that our adopters are not simply "adopting a dog"—they are investing in their new family members journey while helping make it possible for us to continue saying YES to the next dog who desperately needs us.
Your adoption fee helps cover the care that happened before you ever met your dog. And when the adoption fee doesn't cover the full cost—and for our medical cases, it often doesn't—your adoption fee helps us get closer. You're helping fund life saving efforts while being a part of your dogs story, before adoption day.
We will continue to work hard to keep our costs as low as possible, pursue grants and sponsorships, fundraise, and stretch every dollar we receive. But in order for Mac’s Mission to remain sustainable and continue saving the animals who need us most, we have to make difficult decisions like this one. And honestly we are at tremendous risk of closing due to low donations that keep getting lower each month. We have tried all year to be transparent about where we are. We don't want multimillion buildings, dozens and dozens of staff, millions of dollars in the bank, we just want to keep Mac's legacy alive and keep saving dogs.
We are incredibly grateful to every person who adopts, fosters, donates, volunteers, shares our posts, and supports this Mission. Thank you for understanding. Thank you for continuing to believe in us. And most importantly, thank you for helping us keep saying YES.🐾💙
Please consider donating one time below or setting up a monthly recurring donation to help us.
Mac’s Mission — specializing in special.
❤️ mom Ro and the team
