Free Adoptions: Why to Do Them, Finding Funding & Operational Considerations

Research shows that offering free adoptions that waive fees can significantly benefit shelters and communities. By adopting fee-waived policies, shelters can increase adoption rates and foster a more engaged and compassionate community, ultimately leading to better outcomes for animals in their care.

Why Shelters Should Waive Adoption Fees

1. Increased Adoptions

• Free adoptions help more animals find homes.
   
• Shelters see big increases in adoptions during no-fee events—some more than double. The ASPCA's "Free Over Three" promotion led to a 226% increase in adoptions of cats over three years old and a 30% rise in total adoptions during the promotional period.

2. Enhanced Shelter Visibility

• Fee-waived events attract more visitors, increasing shelter visibility and community engagement.
   
• These events often garner media attention, allowing shelters to promote the value of adopting pets.

3. Improved Animal Welfare

• Waiving fees can expedite the adoption process, reducing the length of stay for animals in shelters and alleviating overcrowding.
   
• Studies have shown that fee-waived cats receive the same level of veterinary care and have similar retention rates as those adopted with fees.
   

4. Improved Community Accessibility & Engagement

• Eliminating fees makes pet adoption more accessible to individuals across all economic levels, allowing a more diverse group of adopters to provide loving homes.
   
• Even among those who can afford adoption fees, many prefer fee-waived options, with many willing to donate additional funds to the shelter.
   

5. Positive Public Perception

• Implementing free adoptions can enhance a shelter's reputation, demonstrating a commitment to animal welfare and community service.
   
• Adopters often feel a sense of pride in participating in programs that support animals in need, leading to increased satisfaction and potential for future support.

How to Fund Free Adoptions Without Losing Money

Shelters are sometimes hesitant to do free adoptions due to the loss of funds to support operations. Here are a few strategies to maintain financial health during fee-waived promotions:

1. Increase Fees for High-Demand Animals
Raise adoption fees for popular pets like puppies or purebred cats. For example, the Animal Rescue Foundation increased kitten fees from $100 to $125 during promotions, balancing the overall budget.

2. Encourage Donations
Adopters of fee-waived pets are often willing to donate. The Edmonton Humane Society found that these adopters were three times more likely to contribute financially.

3. Boost Retail Sales
During fee-waived events, shelters often see an increase in pet supply and merchandise sales. For instance, the Charleston Animal Society reported a 99% rise in gift shop revenue during such events.

4. Secure Sponsorships
Local businesses or individuals can sponsor adoption fees, covering costs for specific animals or events. This not only supports the shelter financially but also enhances community involvement.

5. Apply for Grants
Seek out grants from local foundations or national organizations that support animal welfare. These funds can offset the costs of fee-waived adoptions and other shelter operations.

Considerations for Starting Free or Discounted Adoptions

Starting a free or low-cost adoption program can feel scary. Some may worry about public reaction, losing money or pets going to bad homes. Change is hard, but these programs can help animals and shelters. Here’s how to get started:

• Start Small & Track Results – Commit to just piloting free adoptions in your community, such as one small event or single-day promotion, and track:

  • How many people visit
  • Adoption income
  • Number, type and age of adopted animals
  • Donations
  • Length of stay

  Once you see how fee-waived adoptions affect your shelter’s bottom line, you can make informed decisions about continuing or adjusting your promotion.
   

• Reduce Length of Stay – One big benefit of free or reduced fees is that animals get adopted faster, which means lower costs for food and care. For example, the Wisconsin Humane Society cut the average stay for adult cats from 14 days to just over 3. That saved 80% in care costs! Just like finding a lost pet’s family quickly saves money, free adoptions can too. The faster animals go home, the more your shelter saves—sometimes even more than the adoption fee. Use the Return to Home outcome calculator as a starting place to find the tipping point of when fee-waived adoptions can have the most impact on saving money while helping animals get into homes faster.
   
• Stay Strong With Community Support – With strong community support and smart planning, shelters can offer free adoptions without risking animal care or money. It’s about getting pets into loving homes—faster and smarter. With good planning and support, shelters can offer free adoptions without lowering care or safety. Research shows that people who adopt during free events love and care for their pets just as much as those who pay a fee. To keep things running smoothly:
  • Talk with your team. Keep staff and volunteers informed before, during and after events. This helps everyone feel confident and ready.
  • Share your results. After the event, post updates about how many animals were adopted and any donations raised. This helps the public see the positive impact.
  • Be clear in your message. Let your community know that free adoption doesn’t mean careless. Explain that adoptions still include the same screening and support as usual. When people understand the benefits and feel involved, they’re more likely to support your work and help spread the word.

By diversifying funding sources and engaging the community, shelters can successfully implement free adoptions without compromising loving adoption placement or financial stability.