Adoption Fees

PLEASE NOTE: There is no expectation for the adopter to pay any more than the adoption fee itself. We simply provide these as options in case an adopter wishes to receive their dog sooner, rather than wait for a flight volunteer coming to Vancouver. If you choose one of these options, LALDR will be as transparent as possible with you regarding the costs and will ask for your approval before any travel arrangements are made.


Loved at Last is a registered, non-profit organization. All of the adoption fees collected for international dogs (whether they are located abroad or locally) go back into helping to rescue the next international dog. The majority of our adoption fees go to the rescuer to cover flight costs while the rest goes towards customers and other fees once the dog has arrived. 

Why do we charge the same fees for a locally-located dog? The answer is because the vast majority of our dogs arrived from out of the country and there are fees owed for his or her transport. Additional fees go towards vet costs, therapy, training, wheelchairs and similar expenses that a dog has incurred while waiting for adoption.  Please note: It is a mandatory requirement that all of our dogs are spayed/neutered at the appropriate age. We do not normally cover spay/neuter costs for puppies under 8 months, dental costs or wellness vet visits. Adoption fees are determined on a dog-to-dog basis and the adoption fee is listed on the dog’s profile page. 

Costs & Refunds

Once you have decided to adopt an international dog, we require a $100 CAD deposit be paid in order to reserve your dog. This deposit goes towards the final adoption fee and will be deducted from the total fee. The deposit is fully refundable as long as you notify us you have changed your mind about adopting your dog prior to the dog being booked on a flight to Vancouver (or Seattle). The deposit is non-refundable if you decide to cancel the adoption after we inform you that the dog has been booked on a flight.

Once your dog is confirmed on a flight to Vancouver or Seattle, the balance of the adoption fee is due. Please refer to the Invoice sent to you upon Adoption Approval.

For any invoice-related questions, please contact invoicing.laldr@gmail.com

ADOPTION TRIAL PERIOD

The adoption fee (including the $100 deposit) is fully refundable if you determine within 21 days after the arrival of your dog that they are not a good fit for your family. It is possible to request an extension on the trial period, however please notify us ahead of time if you feel this will be required. You must receive a written confirmation to extend the trial period. 

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you are having trouble and need an extension or just need some advice.  We understand that sometimes things don’t work out and adopters should never hesitate to reach out to us for help. We will always accept a dog back!

Estimated Fees

The adoption fees for our dogs are determined according to numerous factors – age, behavioural challenges, disabilities, and country of origin (e.g. costs to send dogs to Canada are higher in certain countries) and generally range from $500 to $800.

The amount shown on the individual dog bio page reflects the adoption fee. All fees are subject to applicable taxes. A formal invoice will be sent to you upon adoption approval.

If your dog is flying into Vancouver, you can expect to pay a $36.50 CAD Agricultural Inspection Fee in order for Canadian Customs to release your dog. There is also usually a $20 CAD porter fee. If your dog is flying into Seattle, similar fees may apply.

Please bring cash to the airport for these costs.

Notice to adopters of Iranian dogs:

Unfortunately, it has become a common practice for Iranian passengers who offer to escort our dogs from Tehran to Vancouver to charge from $200 to $350 per dog to do so. Equally unfortunately, LALDR cannot afford to cover these costs. It is with much regret that we have to require applicants to agree to pay the passenger fee, should one be required, in order to be approved to adopt their dog. While this is an unfortunate potential additional cost, it is still considerably cheaper than flying dogs here as cargo rather than with a passenger. We appreciate your understanding. 

Other expenses

Expenses that are incurred by the rescuer in origin. These are not passed on to the adopter.

  • International dogs being flown to Vancouver are usually charged as excess baggage (this can range from $300 – $ 600 CAD) as per airline regulations.
  • Crates to transport the dogs can range between $100 to $500 depending on the country.
  • Spaying or neutering $150-$300 (if of age)
  • Distemper vaccination $20-$30 ×2
  • Rabies vaccination $15-$25
  • Heartworm test (for dogs) $15-$35
  • Microchip insertion  $50
  • Deworming $20-$50
  • Medical Certificate

If you have any further questions please feel free to contact us.