Rescues generally aren’t free. I paid $185 each for my two new dogs. They have been neutered, one had a hernia surgery, and they have had all of their shots and wormings. That would cost about $185 anyway, if not more.
All but one of my animals over the years as been rescued. The other was a pure breed Persian who thought the world revolved around her but was otherwise a good cat. Bought her at a pet store.
The rest, all but one where found on the side of the road as kittens in cow country (it was common for city folk to dump unwanted litters) or from craigslist type listings.
The dumped/craigslist cats/dogs where/are great animals. they have respect for us. You can tell some have lived a hard life. One, gets very worried and starts pacing the house howling if my wife so much as packs a box. We suspect he was left in a house for a long.. long.. time after the people moved out. Likely got kicked out and could not take him with.
Anyways.. The last one came from a “shelter” we hoped through their hoops (kids really liked him. I hated the anal probe) brought the dog home once we where “approved”. My son was sitting on the floor watching TV.. Dog walked right up to him from behind and bit him on the arm.
The rescue group who gave us the anal probe apparently never bothered to make sure the dog was good with kids.
They where decent about it, and gladly gave us a refund for the dog and re-placed it with a adult only family.