I heard my boss at the shelter explaine it to someone today (for our local rescues ) when someone asked why the adoption fee was one thing at the shelter and more with a rescue orginazation... A vet works with them and gives them a cutrate price on the spaying and neutering... For everyone that is adopted through them, they are able to SAVE TWO LIVES by pulling them out of a kill shelter. The fee paid at the shelter covers ONLY that one cat..(or dog) Hope this helps.