If animal shelters are so big on getting animals spayed or neutered then why don't they take care of it?

Question

I mean they insist or suggest that you have it done but they don't pay for it...but I met this lady and her husband that got their puppy from Petsmart and she said that Petsmart paid to have the puppy spayed and the only thing she had to agree to was taking the puppy to Petsmarts vet....she only paid $150.00 for the puppy and it was very heathly and sweet...I want a puppy also but I don't know about adopting cause the shelters don't pay for anything but she said Petsmart paid for shots and spaying and other stuff and gave her free dog food....what do you think?

First of all I do NOT appreciate the ignorant answer I got from TMF....I am not cheap, I am trying to make the right decision...I am not stupid, I'm not like the people you see on Animal Cops or anything like that I am just trying to get an informed answer....I love all animals and NEVER in my life neglected one....I grew up having dogs you idiot....anyway I was just curious about where was the best place to get a puppy...

Answer 1

The Humane Society and the ASPCA shelters here all spay and neuter any dog before you can adopt it, and they are current on their shots.

Most of the time, you can get the rest of their shots at a reduced cost through them, but you need to check locally to see what they do.

Don't worry about someone saying you're cheap here. The key is that you're concerned enough about doing the right thing, that you want to make sure you know what you're getting into. That's not cheap, that's smart.

Having a dog, or any pet, and doing the right things can be pricey. You need to know what you're taking on before you do it, so you don't end up having to take it back, not do the right thing, and so on.

Make sure you check around, and then decide. Sometimes the PetsMart vet may be more expensive for other things, later on. For example, all the shots you have to have every year...they may only cover the first year of shots. Then there's the cost of heart worm meds, and flea/tick meds.

Good luck

Answer 2

I guess I am rather confused...Where I live the animal shelters DO spay and neuter the cats and dogs before you can even take them home. So this is a problem in some communities but not others. I live in Indianapolis and the Humane Society here spays/neuters every animal before it leaves its doors to go home. Also the City Shelter run by Animal Care and Control now also spays and neuters before the animal goes home. I guess I did not realize that there were still shelters that do not do this. Petsmart and shelters are both excellent places to adopt pets, you should check with your local shelter to see if they give you a coupon for a free vet. checkup and spay/neuter. YEARS ago when I lived in a much smaller town, the shelter did not spay or neuter (they actually do now, from what I have heard) but when you adopted an animal from them they gave you a coupon for a free check up and surgery (spay/neuter) at a local vets office. My guess is that if they shelter cannot do the surgeries there, it is because it probably does not have much in the way of funds. I am proud of you for wanting to make sure you get your animal fixed, as this extends their life and makes them a better pet. Oh and as far as I know, Petsmart and PETCO both offer dogs and cats up for adoptions only, they do not actually sell dogs and cats. The dogs and cats that they feature in their stores usually do come from local shelters or rescue groups. They do not come from breeders or puppy mills, which makes them such a great alternative to adopting at shelters since shelters can be a rather overwelming experience.

Answer 3

I thought most animal shelters gave out vouchers and you just have to have them fixed in a certain amount of time. I know that at our humane society you pay like $60, but then get that voucher and maybe one for rabies or your tag. I can't remember exactly how it worked.
The cost of just taking care of all those dogs on a daily basis has got to be enormous! I know that the pets that Petsmart adopts out are usually from your local shelters. So it sounds like Petsmart is making more than the shelter, especially making you go to their vet. The voucher I got from the animal shelter let me go to any vet I wanted. Petsmart doesn't have all the strays and unwanted dogs to deal with everyday either. Not talking bad about Petsmart, just saying Thank God for the shelters and all the people that help save all these poor animals.

Answer 4

The dogs and cats at petsmart are from shelters or local rescue groups. The spay and shot fees was included in the $150. She got nothing free except maybe the food which was probably a sample.

The animal shelter/ humane society here charges $70 for dogs, $50 for cats which covers adoption, spay/neuter, rabies shots with some of it refundable with verification from vet stating spay/neuter

Answer 5

Duh...the 150.00 she paid was the cost of the procedure, also many shelters work in accordance with local vets and offer discounts on spay/neuter. But just where do you think an organization that is non-profit is going to get all the money to pay for this and feed house, medically treat, dogs and cats? Honestly this kind of ignorance is what causes the pet overpopulation. Why should other people have to pay to get YOUR pet fixed? If you want a pet you should also want to prevent suffering of any future cats/dogs by getting your pet fixed because you cant guarantee that the puppies/kittens will go to good homes. Also many shelters include the cost of spay/neuter in thier adoption fee and wont allow you to adopt without getting them fixed. I have to ask...have you ever actually been to a shelter? Have you actually seen how many dogs/cats they have to kill because of people with attitude like yours? Not because they dont care but because they dont have the FINANCIAL RESOURCES to care for these animals because people keep letting them breed and throwing them away, and being too darn cheap to fork out some money to save lives....and now cheapskates like you want them to pay for spay/neuter just so you dont have to take the financial responsibility for caring for a pet? That is just plain ignorant.

Answer 6

I have 2 Siberian Huskies - one of them I adopted from our local animal shelter. Where I live (Bakersfield, Ca.) the animal is spayed or neutered, given its shots (rabies shot included) and dog tag (license) BEFORE it is adopted out. I paid $75 for the dog I adopted. Plus, I also have both of my dogs on an insurance plan through PetSmart, which costs about $50 per month for both dogs. Good luck with finding a dog.

Answer 7

The Humane Society where I adopted my dog (Rochester, NY) Does do spay and or neuter. She also had an umbilical hernia, which was repaired. All shots, tests, ect. including a microchip in case she gets lost. It was $120.oo, and you have to sign a good faith contract. I know puppies anr about $50. more, and cats/kittens, which they do the same thing for are about $50.00. They are now spaying and or neutering the puppies at a very young age, before adoption. They used to charge a $100. deposit, which was refunded after they owners got it done.

Answer 8

The money you pay to adopt the animal goes toward the medical fees and a small donation (food, care, etc.) I recommend buying animals from shelters or Petsmart...NOT a petstore...NOT a petstore...they get their animals from puppy mills, which are neglectful! Don't support them!

Answer 9

Who is going to pay for it? It's all about money and funding. They can't afford to feed them AND pay for the procedures. That's why they pass the cost on to the buyer. A good system. A retail store can absorb these costs by passing those charges on to the consumer.

Answer 10

If you even are this concerned about money, then don't bother getting a pet. If you can't afford to care for it properly by getting the vaccines and having it spayed or neutered, don't get one. A pet is a PRIVILEGE, not a requirement. Cheap people like you should not get pets that they can't afford.