why do you have to pay spca to get a pet?

Question

I don't get it, if they are so desperate to help out pets and want the best for them, why would they make people pay to get one? Do a credit check or something to see that they have the money needed to care for a pet but dont make them pay to SAVE an ANIMAL they supposedly love. I mean yea they have to take care of things which cost money, but 100 dollars a pet? Yea right

Answer 1

Paying an SPCA or other shelter for a pet is two-fold. First and foremost it is to keep the place running, the vet care for critters there (many who come in ill and injured), food, upkeep on the facility, salary for the few folks there that aren't volunteers and for shots and spaying before they are adopted. Secondly, charging a fee does help weed out many folks that aren't serious about good pet care. Adoption fees are sometimes waived tho, for instance for handicapped or elderly people sometimes, or if you adopt multiple pets at once, and some shelters even have financial aid. This comes into play where say you would like to adopt, and have the money, time and know how to care for an animal, but don't have anything "extra" moneywise right now, and somebody else has the money but knows they don't have the time, etc. The shelter can sometimes put these two people together to help one animal!

Answer 2

I know that it SEEMS ridiculous that the SPCA charges for adoptions but it is part of the money that helps them maintain their operations. They have employees...really, they DO!!! They have to have kennel workers, vets, secretaries, veterinarians who do specialized work to repair injured animals, spay/neuter, vaccinate, etc. There are the costs to rent and/or maintain the the building and property on which the animals are kept. There are utility costs: water, electricity, phone, etc. Some animals come to them quite damaged and require costly medical treatment.

Additionally, if one has to "fork over" $100 or so dollars in order to adopt a pet, that alone will make most people think a bit more seriously about whether or not it's the thing to do. Far too many people make snap judgements about getting a pet without considering the time, energy and cost of maintianing a pet properly...too often it's spur of the moment "ooh, isn't it so cuuuuute!" YOU may not ever do something like that, but for every one person that would not go into the adoption lightly, there are many more that simply don't think, and many of those people either neglect the animal or dump it on the side of rode CERTAIN that the animal can fare for itself.

Just so you'll know, I was looking into some pet adoption agencies -- rescue organizations, no-kill shelters AND kill shelters -- in north Georgia and many of them charge $250 and more for adoptions, including those for mixed-breed animals. These organizations MUST recoup their expenditures if they are to continue their rescue work.

I really don't expect to change your impression of the adoption costs, but perhaps you have a better idea of why the SPCA and other organizations so desperate to find loving homes for animals charge their "ridiculous" fees.

Have a great weekend!!
Lee

Answer 3

Your argument is like saying "why do I have to pay to adopt a child?". You're answer should be right in front of you.

Caring for animals takes money and lots of it. And because there are so many animals out there that need a good home, that takes even more money.

Here's an idea: instead of complaining about it, why don't you go down to the shelter and ask them yourself. If you think $100 for a pet is ridiculous, why don't volunteer to help take care of these animals? That will help lower costs! Or would that be too much work for you?

Nevermind. If you can't show any compassion or understanding towards an organization that's trying to better lives, then I wouldn't trust someone like you around animals.

Answer 4

I have yet to see a shelter that is making money. Usually they are losing it or just breaking even. $100 is nothing...for every pet that gets adopted and the small sum of $100 is handed over, there are probably 10 that still need care that don't get adopted...

And if the people adopting really love animals, they will be happy to help out with a fee. Nothing in this world is for free.

SPCA is Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Often in Europe there is even government funding for shelters and potential adopters don't have to pay; rather are strongly encouraged. (I lived in England for 5 years and sometimes found this to be the case). T'ain't so in the US, shelters usually on their own.

Answer 5

They are a non-profit society that does a lot of good and this is one way they are able to maintain the shelters (that and donations from kindly folks). Each of the animals is spayed or neutered (which is expensive) before they are adopted out so you are paying for this as well as shots. If you were to go to a vet and have this done privately (neutering and shots) it would be a lot more.

It is also a vetting process to weed out would-be poor pet owners. Somebody on the spur of the moment might decide they want a dog and just go and grab a free one, then abuse it and let it go. If you're paying $100.00 for a dog chances are you really want the dog.

For the smaller animals the cost is also a deterrent against snake owners who often buy cheap/free animals to use as food for THEIR pet.

If you really want an animal then I suggest you save up the $100.00. They are a lifetime investment. Good luck with your choice :)

Answer 6

The SPCA and many other shelters not only need to cover their operations costs, but they also provide services in some cases such as veterinarian care (vaccinations, neutering, spaying, etc.)

Also, the $100 could be the difference between someone who takes a free pet on a whim and then abandons it, versus someone who's sincere about caring for a pet and saving a life. The shelter we got our dog from did a reference check as well - 3 references required to bring him home.

Ever seen some of the figures pet stores and breeders charge? $100 is nothing by comparison.

I hope you didn't take the animal, cause I'm betting a defenseless animal shouldn't be left in your care.

Answer 7

Unfortunately, they have too many animals to do a credit check on each person who comes in, plus they have many other things to consider. Just because you have the money doesn't mean you will use it on the pet. Also, if they didn't make anything to keep the SPCA running, they would be running off donations and state money, this isn't enough, which is the same reason public schools charge money for lockers, sports, instruments, etc. They just don't have the resources to provide.

Answer 8

What is 100 bucks?! That money helps them to feed the animals that are kept their until they find homes and for shots and more. You are lucky to only pay 100 bux. Ever check out the cost of a dog, for example, from a pet store? Atleast 500 bux and most of the time more. So pay it and dont complain or dont get a pet from them. You have to understand that they need money to bring in animals and feed them and care for them. Its pretty much common sense

Answer 9

To help with the cost of caring for the pet. The neutering and the health check up and any medication the pet received. The everyday care until the pet is placed. It is not cheap and funds are not available. We spend most of our money on child care in this Country. Free child care. Not much left for anything else. Look at the road, and freeways, Hwy's that need repair. They steal that money too and use it for the bottomless bit of child care in California anyway.

Answer 10

First off, they need to recover some of the money they spent on most animals (spaying or neutering) and the other reason is to make sure the people that want to adopt are serious about the investment they are about to make. $100 does not cover all the vaccines and spaying that is done. It would cost you more then that to get it done at your vets office. Their job is to place the animal with a good home, not just any home.