Every animal shelter at some point has been asked THE question: "If you are so dedicated to finding homes for adoption animals, why do you charge an adoption fee?"
Relatively speaking, we are lucky in Marin. Because the demand for adoptable animals is so high, the Marin Humane Society is able to partner with dozens of overcrowded shelters in Northern California to bring more than 1,500 animals each year to Marin to find new homes.
The success of our Pet Partnership Program coupled with healthy adoption numbers (more than 1,700 so far in 2008) indicate that many people in our community are willing to pay adoption fees with little or no hesitation. Even so, and especially in this challenging economic climate, it's not surprising that we are questioned about our adoption fees from time to time.
And here's the answer: Because animal shelters must be able to cover the costs involved in caring for the animals they rescue and rehabilitate, we charge fees for adoption services. These costs can include feeding, grooming, vaccinations, medications and spaying or neutering.
At the Marin Humane Society a $150 adoption fee for dogs and cats includes the following:
Dogs
- Behavior and medical evaluation
- Pre-adoption medical treatments as needed (spay/neuter, blood panel, dental cleaning, X-rays, other surgeries, etc.)
- Deworming, heartworm testing, flea/tick preventative and vaccinations
- Micochipping
- Free post-adoption behavior consultation
- 30 percent discount on behavior and training classes
- Pet insurance 30-day free trial
Cats
- Behavior and medical evaluation
- Pre-adoption medical treatments as needed (spay/neuter, blood panel, dental cleaning, X-rays, other surgeries, etc.)
- Deworming, FELV/FIV test, flea/tick preventative and vaccinations
- Microchipping
- Free post-adoption behavior consultation
- Pet insurance 30-day free trial
Unlike pet stores and some breeders, animal shelters do not profit from adoption fees. In fact, care for a healthy animal costs the Marin Humane Society $500 on average, and treating medical cases can quickly double - and in some cases more than triple - that amount.
Medical care for dogs like 4-month-old Tipsy - born with a congenital abnormality in her front right leg - costs thousands of dollars. Two surgeries were required to correct the leg and we are closely monitoring her recovery to determine if additional surgery will be necessary before she goes up for adoption.
Along with helping to cover costs for animal care, adoption fees serve an additional purpose. The decision to adopt a pet should be made very carefully. Pet guardians need to be able to pay for expected costs such as food, routine veterinary care, licensing and vaccinations - and for unforeseen medical costs. If a modest adoption fee causes a prospective pet guardian concern, then he or she may not be prepared to make the financial commitment required of responsible pet guardians.
With that said, the Marin Humane Society assumes that every person who walks through our door has arrived with good intentions. To better meet your needs, we'll ask you to complete an adoption application. The application tells us what you are looking for in an animal companion, what expectations you have and the lifestyle you envision with your new friend. Adoption counselors will work with you to help find the perfect pet. While the entire process may seem time consuming, this time is well invested to ensure a positive - and permanent - placement.
By adopting a shelter animal, you'll give an animal-in-need a second chance at a happy life. Consider your adoption fee a donation to a great cause.
Carrie Harrington is the communications manager at the Marin Humane Society.
Tails of Marin appears every Saturday in the Home & Garden section of the Marin Independent Journal
