Host: What are typical adoption fees and what do they cover?

Michelle Otis: Adoption fees vary based on the shelter or the organization that you are working with. Typically, they are anywhere from $100 up to 300, 400, $500. it really depends on where you go. But for the most part, what is covered should be a veterinary exam, the set of vaccines, some may or may not include a microchip, but the microchip can also be given at an extra fee. The deworm and things of that nature. It is usually pretty basic and most shelters are going to ask or require that you follow up with your own personal veterinarian within a certain period of time after the adoption. Also keep in mind that the adoption fee is really a drop in the bucket compared to the expense that the shelter and the organisation puts in to caring for that animal throughout the duration of its stay. It can cost a lot of money to take care of one animal on a daily basis and depending on how long that animal has been there, the shelter has already invested a lot into that animal's care and the adoption fees are never, they never are a source of income or revenue. It really is just a drop in the bucket compared to what these organisations spend.