L.A. County raises fees for animal adoptions

DOWNEY - As of July 28, it now costs more money to adopt a dog or cat from a county animal shelter.The L.A. County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC) have raised their adoption fees for most animals from $10 to $50. But unlike before, the adoption fees now include the animal's initial vaccinations, microchip implantation and national registration. Spay and neuter fees have also changed to $50 for any dog and $40 for any cat. Previously, fees ranged from $30-$100 depending on the weight and gender of the animal. The new fees only apply to animals that have been at the shelter for less than 10 days. Animals sheltered for more than 10 days can be adopted for $30, and spay and neutering are free. "This new incentive will not only encourage potential adopters to adopt animals less likely to be adopted, but will also help decrease the risk of those animals being euthanized because of overcrowding," the DACC said in a statement. The county operates six animal shelters, including one in Downey. For more information on adoption, and a complete list of fees, visit http://animalcare.lacounty.gov.

********** Published: August 14, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 17