What is a rehoming fee? Here’s what to know if you want to adopt a puppy or kitten in WA

Alyse Messmer-Smith
·3 min read
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Adopting a new pet can sometimes be confusing with rehoming and adoption fees, licenses and vaccinations, and surprise paperwork. When you’re looking to add a new furry friend to your family, you may have a few questions about the hidden costs.

What is a rehoming fee?

A “rehoming fee” can be interchangeable with an “adoption fee” and is the fees you pay when you are adopting a pet. Individuals who want to find homes for animals tend to use the phrase rehoming.

A corgi dog and red cat.
A corgi dog and red cat.

When you are rehoming your pet, a rehoming fee can help offset the costs of vaccinations, spaying, neutering and other expenses you had while preparing your pet for adoption, according to PetPlace, an informative pet website.

Rehoming fees range from $25 to $100 on average according to PetPlace, but charging any amount to adopt a pet has become a somewhat controversial topic online according to PetHelpful, an online pet information community. Some are more costly, current listings on Tacoma’s craigslist ask for $1,500 for rehoming fees.

If a pet is no longer wanted, people may question why they should have to pay a fee to then adopt it. But if you are giving your pet away to a new home for free, some worry this could encourage poor treatment of the animal.

Most animal shelters and rescue organizations charge adoption fees to cover their costs of pet care, general operation, medical care and more. If you are adopting an animal from a shelter, their fees and how they have prepared the pet for adoption will vary.

The Seattle Animal Shelter requires potential pet owners are required to first fill out a pet adoption survey, either for cats, dogs or critters. The shelter’s adoption fees range from $15 - $375 depending on the animal and age and include vaccinations, spay or neutering surgery for dogs, cats and rabbits, microchip and registration and initial worming.

The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County requires potential pet owners to fill out an adoption application and pay adoption fees that range from $5 to $500 depending on the animal and their age. The adoption fees also include spay or neutering surgery, initial vaccines, microchip and registration, pet care counseling and a wellness examination.

Some Washington counties also require you to purchase a pet license at the time of adoption.

Four gray, black and white kittens huddled together.
Four gray, black and white kittens huddled together.

Reduced fees during #cleartheshelters

Clear the Shelters, an annual campaign that runs during the month of August, is encouraging pet adoption by offering virtual pet adoptions and online donation ability for participating shelters. Some participating shelters are also offering discounted rehoming fees and affordable adoption options.

Those wanting to adopt a pet can download the WeRescue app on their phone to see animals that are up for adoption and fill out an adoption application, or stop by a local shelter to fill out an adoption application in person.

Donations can also be given directly to local shelters through the Clear the Shelters website, including 15 shelters in Washington state including the Yakima Humane Society, the Everett Animal Shelter and the Seattle Area Feline Rescue.