Cricket was a "free" cat and the startup costs for her were way more expensive than with my adoption fees for the other 3. I wouldn't trade her for the world but she came to me "free" at 3 1/2 mos old, not tested for fel luek and aids, full on upper respiratory, no shots, unaltered of course because she was too young. I think it was about $225 to get all of these things taken care of out of pocket, so I think a $90 adoption fee is well worth it. So I def agree that "free" cats/kittens cost more.