This afternoon, there were 4 dogs up for adoption at PetSmart, by the SPCA.
Upon looking at the adoption information on one (a small dog, couldn't tell if it was young or old, might have been a poodle or poodle mix.....very shy) I noticed the adoption fee was $195.
How can this be? I would understand enough to pay for shots, maybe spay/neuter...but why would the organization limit this pup's chances at finding a home by attaching such an astronomical fee?!?!?
Am I missing something? Yes, I know there are expenses, but I also know that there are donations, fund raisers, etc., too.
I don't understand it either. Our Shelter usually charges $85 and that includes spay/neuter, rabies,microchip and a month's health insurance (admittedly furnished by the ins company as an incentive for the new owner to buy the policy). Right now we are so crowded that we've lowered the fee to $50 for adult dogs just to find homes for them and avoid having to euthanize them. We go to Petsmart every Sat and have a good success rate. Last week, we adopted 10 dogs/puppies & 4 cats/kittens. A terrific day for us!
CEK0515 wrote: I've seen many, many dogs on petfinder for much more 3 to 4 hundred dollars at times.
Yep.
Less than $200 for a smallish, probably low-shedding dog would be a pretty good deal around here. Many shelters/rescue groups charge higher adoption fees for smaller dogs like poodles, shih tzus, maltese, etc., because there is more demand for them. The higher fees they can get from those dogs helps cover their operating expenses.
The county-run shelters are of course less expensive. But the ones around here very rarely have small, highly-adoptable dogs.
* This post was
edited 07/16/08 04:03pm by Pawz4me *
Me and the DH
Two boys and two dogs (and two cats who prefer to stay home)
2008 Forest River Georgetown 350DS (bunkhouse model)
2001 Honda CR-V
The shelter I volunteer at charges between $50.00 & $100.00, depending on size, overall health, etc. Sometimes we charge less, for instance if the pet is surrendered already altered and with up to date vet records we will discount the adoption fee, we also discount for older pets especially if a senior is adopting an older pet, or if an animal has been with a while and everyone wants it to get adopted rather than put down. Costs are going up and with this economy less & less people are donating time & money to shelters & other non profit animal welfare groups so many of them are left with no choice but to raise their fees for adoption..
Perhaps a phone call to your local SPCA will enlighten you as to why their prices have increased. You might even find a way to help their cause! I remember spending many afternoons/evenings & weekends at the SPCA over on Industrial in Dallas, walking dogs, cleaning cages, bathing cats, and going out to off site adoptions, as a volunteer of course.
Perhaps they are having to pay people to do these things because of a lack of volunteers. With the price of gas we are seeing less people willing & able to spend the $$ it takes to work at the shelter for free and also to deliver Meals on Wheels. Some charities that depend on volunteers are really hurting these days...
You are right, it is sad.
Cat
(Jim just reads the forum once in a while)
Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some sort of battle.... Live simply, love wholly, give generously, care deeply, speak kindly.
montanawonder wrote: Not only is some of the fee for the dog, shot, spay/neuter, but it might also be used purchase food for the SPCA to feed the animals.
Regardless of what their expenses are, no matter how short they are on volunteers, $195 is just asking to keep a cute pup in a cage longer and longer.
A couple of quick questions.... Have you seen the prices of puppy mill products lately? Or how about the dogs sold online? A trip to a pet store that sell puppies or a quick check online could prove to be very educational......Folks from other areas have already shared the prices of adoptable (rescued) dogs in their area.
But then again puppy mills & back yard breeders don't rely on volunteers or donations to help keep the costs down. Oh wait a minute, that shouldn't make a difference, right?
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