Bonnie L. Hays Small Animal Shelter Changes Fee

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Bonnie L. Hays Small Animal Shelter Changes Fee

Fee change simplifies cat admission process for residents

Effective August 3, the Bonnie L. Hays Small Animal Shelter will charge $10 at intake for every cat (or litter of kittens) brought into the shelter.

"This replaces a mishmash of fees for cats," says Animal Services Manager Deborah Wood. "We've been charging various fees based on the cat's ownership. By setting one single fee at intake, we've made it affordable for a good Samaritan to bring in a cat or litter. And, the fee helps to defray the costs of caring for the approximately 4000 cats that will come into the shelter this year."

By imposing the uniform fee, the shelter expects to increase income and to make the intake process easier and more pleasant for people surrendering animals.

Each cat that comes to the shelter receives an average of more than $100 in care, which may include vaccinations, food, cat litter, spay/neuter surgery, testing for common feline diseases, and staff time.

The fee for admitting a dog remains the same.

For more information on admitting a pet, visit Animal Services' Web site at http://www.co.washington.or.us/HHS/AnimalServices/AnimalShelter/admissions.cfm, stop by the Bonnie L. Hays Small Animal Shelter at 1901 SE 24th Avenue in Hillsboro, or call (503) 846-7041.

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