Opinions needed on how to "run" my rescue!!!

This is all new to me, placing ads and placing kitties in new homes! I have tried to be very particular about who I let the kitties go home with! On the phone I tell them that they must get them spayed / neutered ..... either I will take them and they can re-imburse me when they pick the cat up .... or they have to leave a deposit, and when I have documented proof that they've been spayed/neutered, I will refund their deposit! I don't know if this is best or not!!!??? I have not made one cent from this .... and that is NOT my intention! I feel guilty to even ask for any money ... because I don't want this to be a "business"!!! However, from other adoption centers, and comments here on PT ... I've learned that charging an adoption fee may better weed out the irresponsible people! I DO NOT want these kitties going right back in to situations like they came from ... that would defeat my whole purpose!!!! I would keep everyone of them before I would let that happen!!!!!!!!!!!! So..... any ideas, suggestions on how to set this whole thing up .... to the best interest for these babies?

Thanks so much for your input!!! :)

Hi Kim,

The one thing that I have seen that I think is quite good is asking for a vet reference. Many of the adoption places in Maryland ask for the name/number of you vet if you have other pets. This will also give you a medical persceptive on how well people keep their pets.

Cheryl

Most organizations here in Phoenix will not adopt a pet out until it has been spayed/neutered. People will have good intentions when adopting, but for various reason, will not follow through. My opinion is fix them first and charge them the spay/neuter fee upon adoption. If they don't want to pay this, then they probably will not be a resonsible pet owner. Of course this is my opinion for what it's worth. If I were going to adopt a pet, I would appreciate having all this already done. Go to Alley Cat Allies website and see if they can offer you any suggestions. They're a wonderful rescue group. http://www.alleycat.org/

I agree with the previous posts...

I think you're doing a wonderful thing! Thank you Kim!! :)

I will definitely give this more thought, but for now I wanted to say that an adoption fee is definitely in order. Now the amount will vary according to location, but just for starters the majority of shelter in theis area ask $ 40 to $ 50

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Originally posted by jenluckenbach
I will definitely give this more thought, but for now I wanted to say that an adoption fee is definitely in order. Now the amount will vary according to location, but just for starters the majority of shelter in theis area ask $ 40 to $ 50

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The HS we volunteer at (and got Oliver and Olivia from) charges $50. That includes spay/neuter (if not already done), a microchip, a card board carrier, a safety collar and tag.

Is there someone you deal with for the spay/neuter that can give you a good price if you were to do that?

Unfortunately, if they're free, they're disposable. Don't be afraid to charge a fee and make sure they will be neutered, and the micro-chip is a great idea. Bless you.

Thank you all so much .... very good suggestions! We have a local low cost spay/neuter clinic .... it is about $35.00 and I think that includes the 1st distemper shot as well! I think I will just go ahead and have them spayed / neutered as I have the funds ... THEN advertise and charge for reimbursement! I also like the vet reference idea!!! I knew I could count on my Pet Talk friends!:D

I agree with the others who have suggested charging a fee and I'm glad to hear you have the funds to spay/neuter your foster babies.

Kimlovescats I really commend you on a fantastic job you are doing in helping these precious kitties. Hats off to you girl. Believe me I would be doing the same if I had the means and the finances.
Congratulations to you kimlovescats, keep up the good work.

Please do charge an adoption fee. Apparently in Western society goods or services gotten for free are valued less than those for which even a nominal fee is paid. (My SO was an anthropology major; this came out of one of his courses.) Anyway, a financial commitment goes a long way to weed out the riffraff.

Good luck!

You should PM or email TopSpot. She rescues dalmations and other dog breeds. She may be able to give some insight and tips.

Good luck !

Kim, Don't be shy about asking an adoption fee, and add a few dollars to make up for your time and other expenses. After you have operated your shelter for a while, you can calculate what it costs per pet to keep each pet (including utilities, meds, and food,and spaying and neutering). And then after you figure that out, add 20% for a "fudge factor" expense. (To add 20% to any figure divide it by 0.8).

For example, if you take in 35 furkids over a 3 month period and your expenses amount to say, $15.00, per month(= $45.00) for bulk dry food, $1225.00 for spay and neutering and vaccination services, and your utilities have gone up, say $35.00 per month(=$105.00) for heating and cooling for the cats, and you have spent, say, $ 165.00 for flea meds. Add all of these expenses up = $1540.00. Divide this by the number of furkids, whether you have adopted them out or still have them, = $44.00 per cat. Now divide this by 0.8 = $ 55.00. is your expense for keeping and adopting out each furkid. This does not include any special insurance or other "hidden" costs. I think you can see that the $50.00 fee is not asking too much. ;). These figures are only approximtions and the actual expenses will probably be different, and are meant to be for example only.

Also, since money equates to time in our western society, that a prospective customer paying $50.00 for a pet cat will also take the time to seriously consider the cost of purchasing and keeping the furkid. Like it has been stated, charging a fair fee for your expenses will keep out the rif-raf.

......wayne

Oh WOW, Wayne ... thanks so much for the break-down! I truly appreciate it ... I need all the help and encouragement I can get ... I'm really "good" at ripping myself off! hehehe:rolleyes:

Up here, the average adoption fee ranges from $80.00 to $100.00 CDN. That really makes people think twice. But it's been very successful in making sure the kitties get good homes. We do mandatory follow-up for a couple of months after adoption. We also give the prospective parents an opportunity to "foster" if they have any doubts at all. The parents must sign an adoption contract stating that if, for any reason, they no longer want the kitty, he/she must be returned to us. Hope this helps.

Good luck and thank you for all the good work you do.

Thank you, Slick ... more great help!:)

Kimlovescats,

You got some very good advice here. And you really are to be commended to the great work you're doing.

I always add $50 to an adoption fee. $75-$125 for an adoption fee is not unreasonable. I let them know that $50 would be refunded once proof of spay/neuter is shown. I always show a perspective adoptee all the paperwork on the kitty so they know exactly how much it cost me and how much time I saved them.

And like Wayne said, don't be afraid to add a few bucks for your time and for food, shelter, etc. Getting a vet reference is great way to check a perspective adoptee's record. If they can't afford the adoption fee, they CERTAINLY can't afford the yearly upkeep of a pet.

When I took Eli, I was set on finding him a home. I ended up spending over $200 by the time I had him fixed, all shots, etc. There was no way I was giving him away. Turns out I fell in love with him and kept him.

Good luck and...

WAY TO GO, GIRL!!! :D

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Originally posted by slick
We do mandatory follow-up for a couple of months after adoption. We also give the prospective parents an opportunity to "foster" if they have any doubts at all. The parents must sign an adoption contract stating that if, for any reason, they no longer want the kitty, he/she must be returned to us. Hope this helps.

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I cannot stress the importance of follow up to the adoption. One person I know who also does this, did not follow up. To make a long story short, she ended up taking two cats back after seeing the home they were living in! She did charge a fee, but the place was a dump, where the litter was never cleaned, dirt everywhere etc. It was heartbreaking, and the cats were just terrified.

Another thing I recommend is to ask if the person is renting or owns their home. If they are renting, request a letter from the landlord stating that the animal is approved under their rental contract. Many people take animals, and then have to give them up because they are breaching the contract. Other landlords will only accept cats who are declawed! So it's important to find out the living situation.

Another reason to charge a fee is to deter people who are trolling the classified ads for 'animal stock' for labratory experiments.


The last thing is to provide the new owner with information and prepare them for possible future costs (medical bills, food costs, litter etc). Many people do not know how much vets charge till after the animal comes home and then cannot pay for them. This can all be done in the interview stage.

It was a great suggestion to get a vet reference since most of the above concerns will be answered!


Good luck !!

:D

Kim, unfortunately, there is the legal side of all this. You might seriously consider getting a legally-binding contract, that is binding within your state, (I know that most state rescues have these) -one that once signed, the new owners will be obliged to obey the agreement. The contract should contain a promise by the adopter to keep the pet indoors, to feed, care for, and love them. To keep them from harm, and to take care of any medical needs that may come up. To verify that the adopters own or rent their places, and if renting, then they must produce the rental agreement showing that they can have pets or contact the landlord. That if they are only looking for a "barn cat" that perhaps you could re-direct their efforts to some one who is willing to supply that need. I am thinking that you could name your place some title that infers home kitties only. (Like; Kims Kitty Rescue or something of the sort.) Make a clause in there that if for some reason the cat does not work out, they can return the animal to you and either get an exchange furkid or a refund. That if for some reason they must give up the furkid that they will automatically return it to you. Also, check to see if cats that have been de-clawed are the only ones allowed in the rental property. (I'm sure that you will rescue a few de-clawed furkids.) You might ask them if they have had pets in the past, and what happened to them. It may be necessary to notarize such a document in order for it to be legally binding. Of course, the necessity and depth of such an agreement will depend on where you live, and what the state laws are concerning the keeping of a cat. Take time to get to know the prospective owners. Also to cover youself if a legal problem comes up, (and you never know when someone will attempt this against you) I'd get a consultation with a lawyer in order to get an idea of what you are getting into, and check out any insurance plans for your endeavor.
Do you have to obtain a license from your state for this kind of service?

.........wayne

You might want to investigate the possibility of setting up a charity or a non-profit organizational structure for your rescue operation. This way you would be able to accept donations from people even if they can't take a pet and you would also be able to write some of your expenses off on your taxes. I am not sure what it would take in Tennessee to do this, but if you are going to consult a lawyer (as Wayne suggested) you can add this question to the list. This might also help with legal and insurance issues.

Cheryl

Thank you for more great advice!;)

Kimlovescats,

You might also want to apply for non-profit 5019(c)(3) status. You won't have to pay taxes. I was in animal rescue for 6 years and always wrote something up that also says if for any reason it doesn't work out, the adopter is to bring the animal back to you, rather than taking it to a shelter or giving it away.

As far as declawing is concerned, ask the adopters their opinion of declawing. You'd be surprized at the number of people who think nothing of it. Too bad the vets don't inform their clients of the procedure, what it entails and what to expect afterwards.

I give you alot of credit. It's draining at times, but can also be very rewarding. I wish you luck. If you need anything, let me know.