"Free Cats" saves lives (and makes money)

I mentioned this in the weekly roundup this week -- but I think it is worthy of a post on its own.

Animal Haven, one of the no kill shelters in the Kansas City area began, in June, offering free cat adoptions for adult cats in the shetlter.

During the summer months, Animal Haven nearly doubled the number of cats adopted from the shelter during the summer months. Because of the successs, the shelter decided to extend the program. Also, because there was more space available at the shelter, Animal Haven has been better able to help out with overflow situations at other area shelters as well as pulling 28 cats from a hoarding case in western Kansas.

The shelter usually adopts cats for $75 for one cat, $100 for two. The fee includes all vaccinations, microchipping, spay/neuter, flea/tick treatment and more. The shelter continued to offer all of these services even when the free cats -- but at no cost to adopters.

Financial suicide, right?

Well, not so much.  Turns out that around 50% of their adopters opted to give the shelter a donation for the adoption even though it wasn't required.  And in addition to this, the shelter has (deservedly) gained a lot of positive publicity.

I have discussed before the potential value of pay as you wish pricing -- this is yet another shining example of the increased number of lives that can be saved with a little bit of inovation in your sheltering approach.

Bravo.

Comments

[Rinalia]

Makes a lot of sense.

We're in the process of placing 140 roosters, hens and chicks from a hoarding case. Roosters are difficult to place, so we're waiving the adoption fees and simply asking for a donation to cover the cost of care. So far, everyone who has adopted has donated well in excess the adoption fee. It's been nice to see.

[Tiffany S]

A shelter I used to volunteer at recently started an adult cat campaign where you name your price (you still have to pay at least the regular adoption fee, but are encouraged to donate more if you wish) and one person donated $500 to adopt their cat. I thought that was so wonderful.

[YesBiscuit!]

You know how sometimes in the comments section of online articles on shelters you see people pipe up with, "Why do they kill them? Why not just GIVE them away to people instead of killing them?" And then there will be various responses about "Dogfighters will get bait dogs that way" and "You don't realize how much it costs to give shots, neuter, etc." and similar type things scolding the person who asked the question about their dumb idea. Well, put me on Team Dumb.

[Brent]

Experience shows that when you save them, vs killing them, the public reacts with more in donations because you're doing the right thing to more than offset the costs of shots/neuters/etc.

I will join you on team dumb.

[kelly]

Sign me up for Team Dumb also!!

[Cat Rehomer]

I don't agree with giving cats away FREE. I rehome well over 100 cats per year and the only ones I have given away FREE have turned into disasters.

If people cannot afford an adoption fee or offer a donation they are not the sort of homes I want for the cats I rehome!

If they can't afford the adoption fee you have to question whether they can afford the day to day upkeep and veterinary expenses which can be costly.

As a private rescue we would be well and truly out of pocket - it is bad enough receiving reasonable adoption fees given we are usually getting in cats that are not perfectly healthy to begin with and need veterinary treatment.