My cat died of old age I guess. I though I'd just get a cupple out of the paper, kittens are always in there. Then I got the idea to go to the humane society and save a cupple. Well, they wanted " demanded " a 20$ donation for each kitten. I aways thought a donation was of free will of any ammount I thought it was worth ??? Then you had to pay 30$ & they would give the 30$ back if you came back with a reciept for having it spade or neutered. Total cost 50$ for a cat. How could anyone pay this amount ? I feel sorry for these animals, there is no hope of finding homes for them with these prices.

 

They do that to cover vet charges that they incure durring the how many days the animal is with them, here they only keep them for a couple weeks then put them to sleep if they are not adopted or recovered by the owners.

 

ive at often wondered, that since it is a donation if you refused,or just gave $5 would you still be able to adapt an animal?

 

The fees not only cover the Vet bills which are often donated but it does cover medicine, heat, lights, food and litter. I have adopted most of my pets over the years thru humane society shelters.

 

I adopted a small black lab from the rescue clinic...$90.

That was about 9-10 years ago, she died 5 years later. I got another black lab with a professional groomer and paid over $1000 for the dog...year later I got a 2nd one from the groomer. Both are great dogs but arn't cheap. $50 is cheap for an animal like those....their costs have to be paid for somehow.

 

You have no idea what you're getting with a free kitten from the paper.

When you adopt an animal from a shelter, the first vet's visit has been covered, the animal is healthy, and doesn't have any serious health problems. They often come with their first round of shots as well, and are sometimes already spayed or neutered.

It's money well spent, because you're going to be spending at least that much with a 'free' animal.

 

Personally I would like to see the pet supply stores quit selling cats and dogs.

 

The animal shelter here is $75 but that includes all updated shots and spade/nuetered. We have gotten 2 dogs from the shelter one was a siberian husky and one was a bassett hound, 2 of the best dogs we ever had. We got one from a "free" and that was just an uncontrolable PIA. I am sure it is just the personality of the dogs but I am convinced to always go to the shelter


I also agree with torque, that pet supply store should stop selling them

 

I have 2 pure bred cats. One I got from a breeder in North Carolina and the other from San Antonio, Texas... They charge 300$ if you choose not to get them fixed, that is if you want their papers... and you have to sign a contract to make sure you get all their shots and take care of them properly. In the past I have always adopted my cats from a pound and it is common for them to charge, so many people do not fix their animals and the population gets way out of hand.
I felt kind of funny about purchasing these cats but I have to say they have been the best pets!!! I love them dearly!!!!! One is a Oriental Short Hair all white, the freakiest cat you will ever see, he looks like a bag of bones! But he has the best personality, and the other is a Munchkin all black, exact opposite of the other, If you have never heard of the munchkin breed they are like wiener dogs but a cat, really short legs... very freaky! But she is a total sweety and I adore her!!! Sorry for the rambling I am just very fond of my cats and hope they are a part of my life for a very long time!!!
I have rescued so many cats over the years and found homes for stray animals, that getting a pure breed seemed to go against my grain, but now having done so.. I have no regrets.. They have been a true joy!!!

 

We adopted a 'free' tom kitten that showed up on our porch about 3 months ago. He's a great little guy, but has cost us $170 so far for 3 vet visits that included vaccinations, stool analysis, medicine for diahrea and ear mites and Feline Leukemia/AIDS testing that was necessary to let him have contact with Pooh, my adult female cat. $50 is dirt cheap if he's already been vaccinated and tested for Leukemia.

 

My boss's wife runs a no-kill shelter. They take whatever donations they can get, I'm told. The other local shelter holds animals three days before euthanizing them. I plan on getting my dog at one or the other; either way the price is good for getting a healthy animal and I won't be supporting a puppy mill or irreputable breeder.
Cats, though...the wife wants a bunch of barn cats. She says they die or get themselves killed often enough that she can get a full round of new cats every three years. (They will be spayed/neutered though. We aren't adding to the homeless animal population.)

 

I adopted my best bud fron the SPCA for $65. Best $$$ I ever spent. There are great animals there that need a home. Most, not all, people have puppy mills and have dogs spit'em out just to sell for insane prices. Actually I got 2 from there, yellow labs. The $$$ covers the food and shots and to have them sniped. You can get some really great dogs there. I would pay twice that if they wanted it. Those people really do a great service and if you thank about it how can you put a price on the great friendship a dog gives you.

 

I've got a purebred yellow lab named Thor. He's about 5 now... 120 lbs... *best* dog in the world!!! My parents bought him for around $300 to be my running companion... except he HATES running long distances. He'd much rather run laps in the back yard and swim in my mom's fake pond! But he knows the sound of all our cars (even when I haven't been home in months, he knows I'm coming and starts barking when I turn onto our street!) and he can sound really ferocious when strange people approach our house. But he's super playful and well-behaved around young kids. And he sits next to me while I mess with my truck to make sure nothing bad happens. I miss my puppy...

My little sister works at a vet and they keep animals probably two weeks before putting them down. There were some little kittens that she just ended up taking home so they wouldn't be put down because they were cute and playful etc... and the other women who worked there had taken them home every day of their stay so nobody could see them to adopt them. Those things are little hellions!! Thor doesn't even like them! He loves our other two cats!!

 

I would let the Feds take more money out of my taxes if they found a way to fix the problem of unwanted feral/pet cats and dogs.

My local humane shelter is alot cheaper than any vet in the area. My cat had all of his work done there at half the cost of a vet. They are very busy there and treat all sorts of critters and do a good job.

 

I really think Torque 1st wants my vote for preisident. I couldnt agree more.
We get strays out in the country. My wife and I find homes as much as we can. Otherwise we pay the $40 to place the dog with the Humane Society. If not, the dog gets one week at the animal shelter....then the gas chamber. So damn sad.
Example.......house a few miles away burned.....family lost in fire. Perfectly groomed pedicured full blooded intact boxer with a little cinged hair shows at the house. Today his new family took him home. I work with the mother of the family. I know he's off to a good home.......makes me very happy.