appropriate fee for kitten
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appropriate fee for kitten
| Sun, 05-29-2005 - 10:09pm |
Hi, What is the appropriate fee/charge for a kitten? If you have 2 or 3 kittens that you need to put up for adoption. I understand that charging a fee discourages unethical people
from trying to adopt the animal.
thanks

I would call it a "donation" rather than a charge or a fee - especially if these are not purebreed kittens and be happy with what you get for them.
You're right there are awful people who take free kittens and do unethical things with them.
Wow, interesting question as I've never had to deal with this.
I know when I adopted my boys through the shelter/foster agency I did indeed pay a fee. $80.00 as I recall for Zachary(as he was a kitten and not yet neutered). It was $55.00 for Gabe who had been neutered. Then when I provided proof from the vet that Zach was neutered they reimbursed me about $30.00 or so. Of course, the kitties that you obtain from the shelter have had their first round of shots, wormed if needed and checked for the various diseases as well. Have you had the kittens to a vet yet for their initial exam? How old are the kittens? Hopefully, close to 12 weeks as that is the optimum time for them to be taken away from their mom and littermates. Obviously, you couldn't control what happened to the momma cat, but you can keep them together until they are more equipped to be on their own. They learn a lot of socialization skills from their littermates between week 8 and 12.
Do you have a public board on your e-mail system at work? We do and that's where people post things like this. I'd check with your vet as well as many times I see pets that need homes posted in my vet's office too.
I would definitely try to give them to someone that your at least know or have screened pretty well. You know how that goes, a friend of a friend, etc. Important questions, like have they had pets before, what happened to them, how many current pets do they have, do they already have cats, children, etc. Questions and an agreement to make sure they are spayed and/or neutered.
I went back and looked at your other post and see you live in the Boston area. Here's a link to help you find a shelter/rescue group that may be able to assist you in placing the kittens.
http://www.petfinder.com/pet.cgi
If this doesn't pull up correctly just go to the base website www.petfinder.com and hit on the Shelter Rescue Groups at the top of the page, put in your zip code and there you are.
Finding kittens a good home is a big responsibility and it's good to see that your starting off on the right foot.
Good luck, Lynn
Hi,
The reason the charge is higher is to induce you to get it neutered and get a partial refund back when you provide the proof from the vet. I could have left him with them and they would have neutered him with their vet(shelter vet) and then I could have picked him up later. However, although I'm big on spaying/neutering I'm but not big on neutering at the young age that many of the shelter's do it at. I fully understand the reason they do it so young and it's because most people wouldn't return to have it done so at least they know that it's getting done. Regardless, I chose to pay more and have my vet whom I trust neuter him at a more appropriate age in my way of thinking and my vet's and he was neutered at six months of age.
I would get them into a vet asap. Kittens should start their vaccinations at 8 weeks of age and since you're unclear of their age it would be prudent to have them checked out and let the vet direct their health care from there. He/she could possibly even give you some tips on getting them adopted or know of someone who is looking for a kitten or two.
Good luck, Lynn