With most purebred puppies commanding $300 to $1,000 or more, getting a new pet dog can be financially draining. And it's not just the cost of the dog that needs to be considered. Puppy shots, neutering or spaying, and pet supplies can add hundreds more to the tab!

1. The adoption fees for most shelter dogs average $100-150. That's $200-$850 less than purchasing a dog from other sources!

2. Most adult shelter dogs are already neutered or spayed. Since the cost of these surgeries runs between $100-200, add this amount to your vacation fund.

3. Most adult shelter dogs are already up to date on vaccinations before they are put up for adoption. Add at least $200 in health maintenance savings.

4. Adult shelter dogs have outgrown the puppy stage. Although puppies are often in higher demand, it is only because their cuteness is more irresistible. Here is a gentle reminder that cuteness has a price: the price of your new slippers, the price of repairing gnawed furniture, and the price of buying additional collars, crates or doggy beds to replace ones that have been outgrown. In addition, some adult shelter dogs are already house broke, which can save you plenty in carpet cleaner and back aches. Add at least $150 in household maintenance and puppy expenses to your cookie jar!

Of course, there are more benefits to adopting a shelter dog than the monetary savings. Consider the many value-added features you get. Where else can you get a dog that has been temperament-tested, cat-tested and dog-tested to make sure it will get along with your children and other pets? Where else can you choose from such a great variety of dogs without supporting puppy mills or their distributors? There are dogs to please everyone's tastes, from purebreds to the strikingly unique. How about a Labrador with stripes? Or a miniature Great Dane?

If you still haven't decided to get your next pet dog from a shelter, consider the greatest benefit of all: The good feeling you get from adopting a homeless animal is priceless. Add 2 stars to your soul.