Skip to content

Pet adoptions too costly

My relatives adopted a puppy from the local shelter on the weekend. The total cost was $400 which includes spaying, shots, and microchip. In the paper this morning, an article about a shelter in Helena, Mont. — not even eight hours from here in the States — says adoption is typically $120 with all of the above included. No wonder so many wonderful dogs and cats are being put down here. How can anyone adopt a pet at that price? Even at the difference in the dollar, it just doesn’t add up.

My relatives adopted a puppy from the local shelter on the weekend. The total cost was $400 which includes spaying, shots, and microchip. In the paper this morning, an article about a shelter in Helena, Mont. — not even eight hours from here in the States — says adoption is typically $120 with all of the above included. No wonder so many wonderful dogs and cats are being put down here. How can anyone adopt a pet at that price? Even at the difference in the dollar, it just doesn’t add up. And who’s paying the price? Poor helpless animals. Wake up in Canada and smell the coffee! Please! And yes, I’m not naive of the the cost of taking care of pets. I have a diabetic cat, two and a half years, and yes I have had two lumps (almost cancerous) removed from the other cat. I even had to remove teeth from diabetic cat, so I know very well the cost — all on a senior’s budget.

J.O. Bumsawin

Red Deer

Note: Some shelters such as Red Deer S.P.C.A. have a maximum adoption policy and only euthanize animals in cases of extreme illness or behavioural issues.