Why do shelters charge an adoption fee?
Because shelters must be able to cover the costs involved in caring for the animals they house, they charge fees for adoption services. These costs include feeding, grooming, vaccinations, medications, and in some cases, spaying or neutering. Many shelters [such as Orphan Pet Oasis] depend on donations to cover these costs, as they are not profit making organizations. Although adoption fees are needed to run shelters, they also serve another purpose. The decision to acquire a pet should be made very carefully. Individuals need to be ready and willing to pay for inoculations, veterinary exams, emergency treatment, spaying or neutering, licensing, and food. If a relatively small adoption fee causes the prospective pet owner concern, then he or she very well may not be prepared to make the financial commitment required of responsible pet owners.
