A friend of mine who has a 3 children, has been considering getting her family a dog even before the pandemic.  Her children keep asking for a dog.  So she thought she would start looking.  She alerted me right away to the prices of dogs on Craigslist and Kijiji!  Check this out – screen shots of dogs for sale in Vancouver British Colombia and Toronto Ontario Canada, for comparison. 

Way Over Priced But Not Over Valued

So what’s going on here?!  Breeders of all kinds who happen to have well-timed litters during these pandemic times are selling off the puppies at marked up price because having a dog is good for you in self-isolation.   It also would appear that opportunistic people are selling off their family dogs and puppies in this pandemic to make quick cash or to save themselves from financial downfall – so selling the family dog is their solution!  It’s appalling to me that people would take advantage of dogs and other people by overcharging for a creature that provides unconditional love and only wants to be taken care of in return.

How to Avoid Over Paying If You Want a Dog Now

For now, avoid breeders that charge too much.  Do your research if you want a purebred breeder, make sure their price is fare compared to the pre-COVID situation.  Many breeders now have organized themselves to comply with COVID policies and will make individual arrangements for viewing the puppies, and for picking up the puppies in about 8 weeks.

For now for the best deals, if you know you will be happy with a Mutt, I would recommend SPCA or local shelters.  They may charge an adaption fee and they may not, but it remains a reasonable rate.  The SPCA, will hand over your new dog and wish you well. 

Many shelters, on the other hand, have a gradual adoption program.  Once you take your new dog home, they will arrange home visits at extended intervals to see how you and the dog are doing.  They will be looking to see the dog’s basic needs are being met, that children and dog are safe in the home, that the dog has adequate space.  They may be able to offer advice on training and dog care as needed.  First time dog owners may find the visits helpful, owners who have had dogs before may find the visits intrusive and redundant. 

Can’t Put a Price on Love

Although no time is the wrong time to invest in a family dog, you are entering into a non-verbal, conscious agreement to do your best for your new dog.  You chose to the best of your ability and now in sickness and in health, good times and bad, you owe it to that little fur ball to meet their needs for life.  It does not really matter what price you purchased them for as long as you never regret it.  The bigger question here is: what will the price of dogs be after COVID?  Will current prices be the new cost of dog ownership?  Will the raise in dog sales during COVID lead to more abandoned dogs as reality sets in after a few months and owners experience the normal challenges that come with raising a dog under normal circumstances but decide it is not for them anymore?  Or financial issues get worse and the new dog is the first to go?  What do you think?  What would you do?