Our adoption fee with rescue was $350. Max (at 5 months old) came fixed, current on all shots, and micro-chipped. I agree with Saintgirl, with any rescue adoption (private or through a rescue organization or shelter) you do run the risk of health problems coming up with no health guarantee. I know the rescue we adopted from is run by someone who works as a vet tech. She is knowledgeable on saints and lets potential adoptee know what special medical needs the dog has that she is aware of. However, not everything can be checked. Health issues can come up and the risk will always be there. We, though, wouldn’t have done it any other way. Max has also brought so much joy to our lives. And I still look at petfinder every day looking to adopt again through a rescue, shelter, or private party.
If your gut is telling you something is not quite right, doesn’t hurt to keep digging.