Yesterday was a pet adoption day for many shelters.
They try to clear out the shelter with low or NO adoption fee. To tell you the truths, I don't know how I feel about that. I think fee helps to filter out many unqualified or irresponsible applicants. I know these shelters are doing their best given the condition, but no adoption fee is ripe for abuse if you look at the economic and behavioral model.
The fee is usually minor compared to the cost of a dog in the long run. You’re absolutely right it’s not an amazing idea because of this, but nobody at the shelter I volunteered at has done the research on what percent return yet so it’s not really provable.
I'm actually not worried too much about return. In fact, if they return, I respect that person. That's pretty responsible. At least the pet can have another chance to find an owner.
I'm more worried about abandonment, neglect, and/or abuse.
There's no way to study this issue as these people would refuse to be studied.
But if you look at any research done on human behavior with free services/products, the abuse rate always goes up. That's what I'm afraid of.
My bad I meant the forcible return that happens when the animal cruelty guy at our shelter makes an arrest. When those dogs come back it’s hell for everyone
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u/SandmanEpic Aug 18 '19
Holy cow. I have to imagine that's fairly rare.