Dog adoption: guidance on adjustment and shelter fees

Adopting a dog from a shelter involves both emotional and financial considerations. To help new owners manage the transition, experts recommend the ‘3-3-3 rule’: three days to arrive and decompress, three weeks to learn routines, and three months to build lasting trust.

Financially, adopters should expect to pay a protection fee (Schutzgebühr) to animal shelters. According to the ARCA animal welfare association, these fees help cover shelter expenses and discourage impulsive purchases. In Munich, for example, fees vary by age: approximately 450 euros for puppies up to four months, 350 euros for dogs over a year, and 250 euros for dogs aged five and older. While some regions may offer temporary exemptions from dog taxes for adopted animals, this is not regulated nationwide.