Why Is Your Adoption Fee Higher than at My Local Shelter?

Our President recently wrote the following letter on this topic to a prospective adopter:

"Hi (prospective adopter),

I want to let you know I received your application last night. It sounds as if you are concerned about our adoption fee being higher than the fees charged by some of the shelters in your area.

Our $175 adoption fee and donations are what allow us to continue rescuing cats. Our group is made up of all volunteers who are never paid for what we do. If you look at the "before and after" section or the "Rescue 911" stories on our website, you will see some of the especially needy cats we have rescued over the years. We have spent hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars to save these felines. When a purebred cat comes into our foster system, we take care of it as we would our own pets, providing sometimes extensive and costly veterinary care. They are never euthanized unless they have been determined to be terminal.

We have no state grants or assistance other than adoption fees and donations. Since we rescue purebred cats, the medical costs are always higher than for domestic cats. Our adult cats are tested negative for FELV and FIV, and our young kittens are tested negative for FELV. (The FIV screening test does not provide valid results for very young kittens.) Our cats are microchipped, spayed and neutered, and vaccinated. They are fostered in individual foster homes and not caged. We get to know their personalities and are able to give them the love and attention that we give our own pets. We are also very selective to make sure the cat is a right "match" for their new family and also the right "match" for the adopter.

We do not consider the adoption fee to be “what the cat is worth.” Many of these purebred cats were purchased for much more by their original owners. In addition, with rising veterinary costs, an exam, combo testing, vaccinations, spaying or neutering, and microchipping can easily cost more than our $175.00 adoption fee.

Let me know if our adoption fee is an issue for you financially. If so, we can direct you to a shelter near your area."