A Fair & Reasonable Contribution
Every rescuer I have come across charges an adoption fee, ranging from R1,000 to R1,500 for a cross breed, with a pure breed from a breeder (not a rescue) to as much as R15,000, here in South Africa, to $3,000 in the US.
Adoption fees are a contribution towards the cost of care, food, caretakers, sterilisation, vaccines, flea and tick and worming treatment, supplements, vet bills, utility bills, fuel and sometimes, even a microchip is included, and therefore, it's fair to pass on some of the costs.
There is a LOT involved in rescue that people don't understand, but it's important to know that whether this fee is mandatory or optional, a fixed cost or donation-based, that the standard amounts are the MINIMUM costs, when compared with what each rescue actually costs.
Rescuing an animal is not just financially expensive, where the fuel alone is often more than the donation amount, in addition to the endless costs that have to be paid even when your back is against the wall and you just don't have it, it's mentally and emotionally hard too.
A fair and reasonable contribution is an essential blessing that enables rescuers to do what they do, as saving lives comes with a very high price tag, that is always paid by the rescuer, to the detriment of themselves, even though they are greatly repaid in love.
Adoption Fees Can Be A Barrier To Adoption
In the 8 years that I have been rescuing and re-homing dogs, I have never charged an adoption fee and I never will, this is because my only focus is on finding the perfect home.
That said, an offering should be considered based on a case-by-case basis as there are different reasons for adopting an animal and all things need to be taken into account in order to come up with a fair outcome that is in the best interests of all.
There are two types of people who take an animal from me, the first is someone who is actively looking, whilst the second is someone who wasn't planning on getting an animal at all, but who felt it on their heart based on a particular need that they felt called to help with.
Where someone wants an animal of their own volition, it's fair to make a reasonable contribution in line with the status quo, and if they want to and are able to gift the rescuer with a token of appreciation that goes beyond the minimum, more can be given too.
But where someone offers a perfect home, where they weren't planning on getting another animal, but said yes based on a calling and maybe even stretched themselves to assist, this is a blessing in and of itself, although of course, if they want to give a donation, they can.
A Considered Contribution
The main focus for me is ensuring that every animal is placed in their perfect home and it is my hope that through educating people as to the labour of love, sacrifice and enormous costs that rescuers have to endure, that people will reach deep into their hearts and give generously.
I don't ever want adoption fees to be a barrier to a perfect placement as the focus is never the money, which is always a drop in the ocean and as little as 10% of the costs that a rescuer has had to lay out to save one life, which can stretch into the thousands and tens of thousands.
The category an adopter falls into is key and it's important that adequate consideration be given as to the right amount to gift, so as to honour the work that the rescue has done, the sacrifice they've made and the costs they've endured.
The reality is that most rescuers can't make ends meet, I myself have less than 10% of the necessary sponsorship required, I don't take a salary, I've poured myself out and bled myself dry and I'm in deep debt as a result of my rescue efforts.
Bearing in mind that the cost of a life is priceless, rescuers often have to go to extreme lengths to preserve and protect, and whilst we don't do it for any reward, we need the recognition and financial restitution that saving lives costs, and a good donation makes a big difference.
Extended Family
When a rescue places a dog in a home that they believe to be right, this is a huge act of faith, courage and trust, and it's important that a relationship is maintained for the lifetime of the animal, to ensure maximum support.
A good rescuer will maintain contact for life and be there if needed, in any capacity, and I give all my rescues a Lifetime Guarantee, to be there for them in any capacity, for the rest of their life, for the rest of my life, as a Trusted Guardian Angel.
There is nothing more heart-warming than to receive a message every now and again with a photo, as to how each precious soul is getting on and enjoying their life, and it's things like this that remind us why we do what we do and help us to keep going.
A deep bond is formed with every soul we rescue and it's important that that bond is maintained, both for the animal, and for the rescuer, as we live in a difficult world, we can all fall upon hard times, and we all need all the help we can get.
Every little soul we place has lived with us for a considerable amount of time and been part of our family, we are friends, we have been a mother to them, and there's nothing more wonderful than for that bond to be honoured, remembered and cherished.
Rigorous Assessment Criteria
The majority of rescues feel that not charging an adoption fee means that they will attract people who can't afford to have an animal, but this is not generally the case.
There will always be the odd person applying who can't afford to have an animal and who aren't a right fit, and those people will always get filtered out.
My assessment criteria is so rigorous and specific, that applicants are vastly narrowed down, and whilst occasionally someone tries their luck, the process is designed to eliminate them quickly.
it is made up of a thorough interview covering a variety of topics and scenarios, a home check and ultimately, an inner knowing and a feeling of peace in the heart, which I attribute to the Holy Spirit, and I trust His placements.
I don't advertise that I don't charge an adoption fee, I simply make no mention of it, only explaining my position as appropriate, in the hope and faith that each person will bless me with the right amount having considered and understood all aspects.
Funding Crisis
Most rescues are facing a funding and homing crisis on a very large and frightening scale and everyone is stretched extremely thin.
A deep level of education is needed as to what rescuers go through financially, mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually in order to save lives and this lack of knowledge, which translates to a lack of support, is resulting in extreme pressure and the loss of life.
New techniques need to be learned and rescuers need to become proficient in a basic level of IT in order to achieve success, including writing powerful posts that speak directly to the heart, educating animal lovers as to what's involved and building a powerful support base.
Rescuers wear many hats, having to do everything themselves, but staying relevant and ahead of the curve is the only way to succeed, and with so many lives in our hands, there is no other option.
Unfortunately, there seems to be a reluctance, reticence and refusal to learn new ways and people as a whole have become very selfish, and this is resulting in dogs not getting homes, being euthanised unnecessarily and rescuers breaking under the strain.
Faith Not Fear
Another issue is that people just don't believe that really good homes exist anymore, but this has not been my experience at all.
I don't accept good homes, I only accept the perfect home and this is something that I instinctively know, enabling me to make a perfect match.
The challenge that rescuers are facing is that the landscape has significantly changed, but they have not changed with it and are therefore being left behind.
With God, all things are possible, but faith is not enough, it has to be combined with education, knowledge, wisdom, understanding, right action, patience and perseverance.
If people aren't getting the desired results, their faith is too small or they need to make changes to their action plan, and often it's a combination of both.
Faith, Prayers, Miracles & Blessings
Since I started walking in faith, letting go of everything in order to do what was right, and telling the truth, no matter how hard, my life has changed beyond recognition.
And I have changed beyond recognition too.
It is a huge mistake to think that we can do anything in our own power and might, we can't, it is only by the power of the Holy Spirt and God's hand upon us. (Zechariah 4:6)
With so many precious lives in our hands and the enormous weight of the responsibility that goes with that, it is crucial that we have a solid base on which to stand.
The only way I have found to do this very privileged endeavour, is with God by my side, going before me, and I hope that everyone who is reading this, joins hands and hearts with me, in this worthwhile and life-affirming endeavour.
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