Conference misery::feline_v1

    When I rescued 4 feral kittens last summer, I had to "pay" to bring
    them to the shelter.  The "payment" is actually a donation
    toward the animal's care (food, shots, felv test, etc.), and $15
    to $20 is really a small amount when you consider how much the items
    listed in () actually cost.
    
    It is not unreasonable for a humane society to ask for a donation
    when bringing an animal in.  They need that money to keep the shelter
    going and I was more than happy to pay it.
    
    
    /Roberta
    

    It's probably a no-kill shelter.  This will help defray the costs
    of care until proper homes can be found.  Consider it a donation...
    
    People should be spaying/neutering.  For those who can't afford to,
    there is help.  I won't go into this further, since you did say
    the cat was a stray mother.
    
    Hope this helps.  

    Good idea, but an unfortunate catch-22.  People who can't afford
    the cost probably look to dumping or destruction as valid alternatives.
    
    If one brings an animal in to a shelter, and tries to leave with
    the animal because of the cost, would a shelter actually turn them
    away?  Seems like some judgement would be required in the interest
    of the animal.
    
    Gary

    
    
    As Roberta stated the money requested is to keep the place going.
    Unfortunately many people forget that a humane society is just as
    much a business as any other but non-profit (speaking of the one
    I know personally) which only makes the going tougher.  There are
    animals to care for, expenses, and wages for the staff which are
    very low compared to what we make here.  A humane society
    also doesn't generally make its own rules.  The rates in some cases
    are based by the National Humane Society's which tries to keep everyone
    uniform on certain practices and procedures.   
                                 
    Humane Society's have tried and continue to try to get the message
    across to the public that spaying and neutering is essential and
    is the humane way to try and put a dent in pet overpopulation. 
    For those who realize that if their cat or dog got pregnant and
    they couldn't find homes and had to bring the litter or even one
    of the litter to the humane society and pay out of their pocket......
    well some of these people will dig in to have the animal fixed before
    having to fork over $20 or more.  
    
    If one needs to turn their animal over to their local humane society
    their payment is a payment for a service as is such in all of our
    daily exchanges.  They are providing a service to you.  If and when
    that animal gets adopted I'm sure many of us couldn't put a dollar
    value on that.  

    
    
        Just a point I forgot but remembered I forgot (confused :^o)
    when I read re .3.   You're right.  There have been exceptions and
    I'm sure will be many others.  It is a judgement call.  In some
    instances it could be an outright threat toward the animal which
    is always taken seriously and others a finer line.  Of course you'll
    always have those that come at night and drop their animal off on
    the society's property and on the other hand those that attempt
    to get in to get their dog that they don't want to pay the fine
    for.  Its far from a perfect situation and because it deals so heavily
    on the difference in people's views, perceptions, etc.... will never
    be perfect just like the human race will never be.
    

    I am not aware of the local city/county run animals shelters
    charging a fee to turn in animals.  In fact, one has secure cages where
    animals can be left after hours, so they could hardly be charging a
    fee.  These are the small number of days and then euthenasia
    shelters, however.  Private ones that try to keep the animals
    alive may well need donations desperately.