Shelter adoption fees

[pomtzu]

Wow - these rates are really all over the board.
Further breaking down what I had quoted:

Kent County SPCA - all fees include sterilization
This is a kill shelter
They are checked for disease, tho not treated. That is up to the person adopting.

dog, cat, puppy, kitten under 5 yrs of age
$110 for 1
$175 for 2

dog, cat over 5 yrs of age
$90 if intact
$65 if already sterilized

I personally would adopt elsewhere, as I had a bad experience with them many years ago. I adopted a tiny gray kitten, and 2 days later found it dead on the sofa. I called SPCA about it, and they informed me that they found distemper and had to euthanize all of their cat population. I asked why they didn't notify me, and they flippantly said they couldn't possibly locate all the people that they had adopted to. They had all my info and it had only been 2 days - just a big excuse and they just couldn't be bothered. Problem is, I had another adult cat in the house who had never been vaccinated since he was strictly a house cat (I know better now tho), and of course you know what happened to him. I know too that this facility has greatly improved over the years, but it still left a very bad impression with me that I will never forget.

On a much better note:

Delaware Humane Association - a no kill shelter

Dogs
$225 - puppies 6 months and younger
$150 - adult 7 months+
$75 - Senior 7 yrs+

Fees include spay/neuter, age appropriate vaccines, heartworm test, microchip, pre-adoption vet exam, collar & leash, certificate for free vet exam.

Cats
Kittens 6 months or younger
$80 for 1
$130 for 2
Adult 7 months+
$80 for 1
$120 for 2
Senior 7 yrs+
$40 each

Includes much the same as above for dogs. All listed rates recently reduced by $30 for 1 and $35 for 2, due to the increased cat population, so they had been higher.

Special needs dogs and cats - any age
$25 for cats
$50 for dogs

Senior discount: $50 for dogs 3 years+, and all cats


If I was looking to take in another pet - this is definitely where I would adopt. When I was still working and had United Way donation taken out of my check each week, I had 100% of my donation allocated to this organization. I started out at only $1 per week, but increased it substantially each year during the fund drive. Can't think of a better way for my money to be used, than to help organizations such as this.
ETA - too many people that pledge to United Way, never read the back of the pledge form to know just how many organizations are available to donate to, and just automatically check, Cancer Society, Heart Association, etc. While all this is well and good, the animals need our help too, tho most people would never think to have their money go there.


Of course there are many rescue groups around here too, but I have no idea what any of their rates are.