Animal lover offers to pay fees toward adoptions of slain woman's dog and cat

[joeybee12]

West Hanover Township woman is willing to cover adoption fees in order to help find homes for a dog and cat whose owner was murdered.

Melissa Peiffer-Berrell said on Tuesday she would adopt the animals herself if not for the fact she already has a dog and her time is limited because of her job.

She said she’s making the offer because there might be a prospective owner or owners who could provide a good home but can’t afford the adoption fees, which will be $185 for Cody, a border collie, and $45 for Callie, a cat.

Jennifer Zerbe-Hecker, who owned the pair, died on Jan. 11.

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2014/02/dellville_pet_adoption_border_2.html

Hopefully this helps...

[livetohike]

1. K&R

[Chan790]

2. I'm glad to see this.

Why though are the adoption fees so steep? $45 for the cat isn't unreasonable...but if the adoption fee for dogs is regularly $185, I have to think that the prohibitive cost is driving down the adoption rate for them.

[magical thyme]

4. this looks to be a small, private organization that shelters animals until a home is found.

Which is why the cost is higher. They rely 100% on donations, and the adoption fee is one of the donations.

Here in Maine, at private rescues that pull dogs out of high-kill shelters, the cost is $350+.

I pulled Luna out of a high kill shelter in Georgia. By the time I had him pulled, vetted, quarantined and transported, it did cost about that much.

[Chan790]

6. I'm really glad for the answer.

I just wish there was a way to get it down and do all that.

[magical thyme]

8. when everything is added up, it really is quite reasonable

IIRC, it was $30 to pull Luna out of the pound, plus a small charge for transport by the woman who picked him up and took him to the vet, then brought him back to her kennel. I think $10-15/day quarantine boarding for 10 days. $50-100 or so for vetting (including neutering). $125-$150 for shipping from Georgia to Maine.

And Luna was quite healthy. For every healthy dog, there are others that are injured or sick and need more extensive care. So the costs for those dogs are paid for in part by the healthy dogs.

I have mixed feelings about the cost, but the fact is that 1. somebody has to pay for the dog's care and 2. it prevents people from adopting on a whim.

And there is always the option of fostering, which is critically needed. Then you don't pay anything up front, and in fact have larger medical expenses paid for by the shelter.

I plan to foster when I am older.
I dream of winning the lottery and giving the money out to shelters everywhere. That California lottery...just think how many critter's lives could be saved...

[grntuscarora]

5. All the dogs receive spay/neutering, vaccinations, microchipping etc.

before being released for adoption. Plus, whatever is left of the adoption fee goes to helping those dogs left behind.
I actually volunteer at this shelter, and they do an amazing job on a shoestring budget.

[Chan790]

7. That's good to know. It answers the question.

[marzipanni]

3. I sent this to a passionate dog adoption advocate to put on her Facebook page

"Advocate for Dogs". She has 75,166 followers on Facebook. She recently drove across the country to pick up a wolf dog hybrid because she is familiar with them and could offer better care.
Many others, who have this connection via her page, foster or contribute funds to help dogs whose time seems to be running out.

[grasswire]

9. I would take that border collie in a heartbeat if I could.

My border collie Duffy would love a companion. Unfortunately, I can't. I hope the dog finds a wonderful forever home.

[shenmue]

10. Mercy

Some good will come out of this.

[Skittles]

11. the victim's husband died last year

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2014/01/tolbert_zerbe_hecker_dellville.html