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

[kimlovescats]

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!!!

[emily_the_spoiled]

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

[K & L]

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/

[NoahsMommy]

I agree with the previous posts...

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

[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

[NoahsMommy]

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

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?

[catlady1945]

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.

[kimlovescats]

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!

[rg_girlca]

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.

[smokey the elder]

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!

[Fuzzy317]

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 !

[L. Wayne]

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

[kimlovescats]

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

[slick]

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.

[kimlovescats]

Thank you, Slick ... more great help!