We took the kids to maybe get a puppy and this pet shelter place advertises as givng away the pets and mentions a 50 dollar donation. So when my wife tries to leave they demand the 50 dollars. If you have to give the money, isnt that considered buying the dog and not a donation? We bought it because we promised the kids they can have him but why say donation when its not?
2007-04-24 06:19:02 · 16 answers · asked by NONAME 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Free? LOL
Even if they're giving dogs away for free, it's going to run you over $1000 a year to maintain a dog. You're probably better off getting the young'uns a stuffed animal.
http://www.petrescue.com/library/free-pet.htm
2007-04-24 06:22:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 3⤋
I believe the term "donation" is used because the organization is non-profit - it is not considered a sale. As someone else said, they could also call them "adoption fees." The money partially covers the cost of the care that the shelter provided. You did not buy the dog, you paid for the services the shelter gave.
I would be shocked if the shelter was advertising that it gives away pets for free when it charges money for adoption. You may have interpreted the ad that way, but I am sure that is not what they meant.
Oh, and to address another post, NO ONE is taking problems off of the hands of shelters by adopting. If the animal has that many issues it isn't placed for adoption. Shelters exist because they want to take care of and help pets and people. Animals are not considered to be problems or burdens that the shelters can't wait to unload. Shelters will gladly hold on to the animals as long as needed rather than send them to an inappropriate home in order to just to get rid them.
2007-04-24 06:38:41 · answer #2 · answered by melissa k 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you, it should not be called a "donation" if it is a mandatory fee. If money changes hands, then that implies ownership, so I don't consider it to be an "adoption" fee, either. It's the price for buying a dog at the shelter.
But really, were you really going to walk out of there without making any kind of a donation? The people at that shelter took that dog in, fed him, cleaned up after him, gave him shots, etc. I think both sides ended up working out well, your kids got a great dog and you made a contribution to the previous care of your dog :)
Good luck with your new dog! :)
2007-04-24 06:32:26 · answer #3 · answered by vahl0426 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is usually referred to as an adoption fee but some shelters use the term donation. It takes a lot of money to run a shelter, and $50 is a very low adoption fee. For that, you get the dog, usually get vaccinations and spay or neuter surgery, never mind the cost of feeding and caring for the animal. Shelters never make any money from adoptions - the cost of caring for the dog is always more than the fee. We only make money on fundraisers and donations from supporters and even with that, we often run a deficit.
We have to maintain our facility, our clinic, pay our staff, pay the vet for spays and neuters. We just had to pay for a new commercial washer when ours died - used to wash dog bedding and all the cleaning towels we use.
Considering you just got a new friend, that donation was a bargain.
Adoption fees also ensure that people actually value the dog enough to pay for it.
2007-04-24 06:29:16 · answer #4 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can see the argument that a donation should be optional, and maybe they should call it something else.
The fee is a good thing, it not only starts to cover some of the costs involved in rescuing and caring for animals, but it also acts as a sanity check, stops people just turning up and taking on an animal. It's a sad truth that some people will look after something that they have paid for, better than a freebie. There is an attitude that says no money = no value, sad but true.
2007-04-24 06:59:23 · answer #5 · answered by Cowgirl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OK, the shelter could've been more tactful.
They can't force you to donate, but it's pretty mean not to leave a donation. Shelters spend a lot of money on their animals and are run by donations after all.
I used to work for the Cats Protection (cat charity) and back then they used to expect at least a £20 donation. If anyone didn't want to give it, they would point out they rely on donations - and if you can't afford even this donation, you can't afford to keep the animal anyway. They would be wary of anyone who refused to give a donation.
I would say it's called 'donation' because it is technically voluntary, but it's pretty mean to try to get a free dog, I bet they don't encounter that much, hence their lack of tact! You don't get anything for free!
Chalice
2007-04-24 08:15:26 · answer #6 · answered by Chalice 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fifty dollars doesn't nessacary pay for that dog, the name donation means that it's helping with medical bills and food costs for perhaps that sole dog but odds are the entire shelter. If they asked for adoption fees then those fees would only compensate that animal in particular, donation fees can be spread around to try to help as much. Yes a donation is optional but your really, really screwing over that place by not donating, they would be in a finaicial hole (if not already) and in personal debt without those, and fifty bucks is really really cheap for a pet.
2007-04-24 06:30:04 · answer #7 · answered by Kam 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Shelters do not give their dogs away ever because then anybody can just take them. If people have to pay for them, or give a donation, then they are more likely to take care of the pet and not treat the situation like "oh well, he's a free dog so I don't feel like I need to take care of him"
2007-04-24 06:27:49 · answer #8 · answered by Ambie 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
50 bucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!! wow you got a steal!!! I hope you told your kids why you paid the money. so they can understand nothing in life is free. and also you helped other animals that need food and shelter and a loving home. shelter animals are so grateful. I have adopted 4 cats and 3 dogs over the years. what a great experince.
2007-04-24 06:47:33 · answer #9 · answered by vicki d 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes - a donation, by defention, is supposed to be optional. If the shelter would not let you leave without paying the 50, they should just call it adoption fees.
2007-04-24 06:24:50 · answer #10 · answered by alv26pg 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well, for one thing shelters can't operate for free. They must provide food and veterinary care for the animals they take in, and that's not cheap. Most shelters are not-for profit organizations, so I don't believe they can legally charge you as in "sell" a puppy to you. However, by asking for (or requiring) a donation, they are able to raise money to stay in operation, and you are able to claim it during tax season as a deduction.
2007-04-24 06:25:38 · answer #11 · answered by Karen 2 · 6⤊ 2⤋