Myth vs. Fact: Fee-Waived Events

 Why do animal shelters, like Anti-Cruelty, hold adoption promotions with discounted fees? The answer is simple: to help more animals!  

 

Fee-waived adoption events make a positive impact by:  

  • Shortening the length of time animals await adoption.  
  • Provide an outlet for placement in times of population surges.  
  • Build public awareness for adoption.  
  • Encourage community participation so we can help more animals.  

Fee-Waived Adoption Myths:  

 

Myth: Animal shelters just give animals away at adoption events indiscriminately, putting animals at risk.  

Truth: Anti-Cruelty utilizes the same adoption process at high-volume events as we do on non-event days. Just because fees are waived doesn't mean our adoption processes are too! We have a dedicated team of expert adoption counselors who work one-on-one with individuals to help them choose an animal that is the best match for their household and lifestyle.  
  

Myth: People who come in for fee-waived events are simply looking for a deal and won't effectively care for or bond with the animal.  

Truth: There is no evidence that shows a negative correlation between how much someone pays to acquire a pet and the animal's future quality of life and care. 

 

Myth: Animal abusers and people who have ill intentions seek out fee-waived events to acquire animals.  

Truth: Individuals who are looking to acquire a pet for the purposes of harming them are not sourcing them from shelters. Animal shelters, like Anti-Cruelty, require proof of address and a government-issued ID to adopt a pet.  

 

Myth: Fee-waived events result in high adoption numbers day-of, but most of the animals end up getting returned later.  

Truth: While some animals may be returned following a high-volume adoption event, the overall return rates are not significantly higher than those seen when fees are present.