From time to time, we hear detractors of rescue dismissing FBRN and our fellow rescue groups as being in it "for the money." They point to the high cost of adopting a dog from FBRN and make uninformed statements about how we must be raking in the dough. They may use the fees we charge as evidence that rescue is no better than backyard breeders, and they may ask why anyone would surrender a dog to us for free when they could sell their dog on Craigslist and get some money, just like FBRN does.

In truth, it is wise to do what our mothers would tell us to do in the face of these sorts of claims: Consider the source.

Still, criticism, however unfair and unfounded, can sting. So one of our volunteers has put together a graphic for us to look at from 2008. As you can see, about half of the dogs FBRN took in and placed cost FBRN less than $500 in veterinary care. Honestly, we don't know if that is an accurate number in terms of real veterinary costs, because many of our foster families pick up vet bills on their own and don't ask for reimbursement.

The other half of last year's FBRN foster dog population cost well over their adoption fees. Some of our fosters racked up vet bills as much as ten times the highest adoption fee we charge and a very few even more than that.

If costs are averaged out, in 2008, FBRN spent $874.14 on every dog in vet bills alone.

Rescue is here for the dogs, and we do the best we can for every dog we take in.

Applying for a dog from FBRN is about applying to help a dog that needs help. Not all the dogs on these pages are perfect puppies. Mostly they are dogs with special needs, both behavioral and physical. Some have been mistreated. Some have been neglected. Many come with baggage. Most will require extra effort in training, medical care, and attention.

Don't come to rescue to get an "inexpensive" French bulldog. Many adopters discover they will spend a great deal more on a rescue dog than they would on a full priced, healthy dog from a reputable breeder when all is said and done.

Come to rescue to adopt your dog because you want to help a dog that has had a hard go of it. Apply for a rescue dog because you have something to offer, and because you want to help a dog who needs it. Choose to support rescue because of the work rescue does.

The next time you hear someone say that rescue is in it for the money, come home, boot up your computer and read some of the stories on these pages. As the song goes, "Dem dat know, know dat dey know. And dem dat don't know, well, dey just don't know what dey just don't know." We--our supporters, our volunteers, our adopters--know we are in it for the dogs. If you don't believe it -- just do the math.