It’s a question we are asked often:
“Why do you charge an adoption fee?”
“Why isn’t it free to adopt?”
The short answer is simple:
Because responsible adoption comes with real costs — and those costs are already heavily subsidised.
What does the adoption fee include?
Our adoption fee is R1100.
This includes:
- Sterilisation
- Vaccinations
- Deworming
- Microchipping
- A home inspection
All of this is done before the animal goes home.
Adoption Cost Comparison
| Service Included | SPCA Adoption (R1100) | Private Vet (Estimated) |
| Sterilisation | ✔ Included | R1600 – R3150 |
| Vaccination | ✔ Included | R440 – R680 |
| Deworming | ✔ Included | ±R60 – R75 per tablet |
| Microchipping | ✔ Included | R265 – R495 |
| Home Inspection | ✔ Included | Not typically included |
| Total Cost | R1100 | ±R2500 – R3800+ |
So why not make it free?
Even if the SPCA removed the adoption fee, the costs do not disappear.
They still need to be paid — either by the SPCA, or directly by the adopter.
Without some contribution from adopters, we simply would not be able to continue caring for the thousands of animals that come through our doors each year.
It’s not about making money
The SPCA does not profit from adoption fees.
In fact, the R1100 fee only covers a small portion of the actual cost of preparing an animal for adoption.
Every animal we care for requires:
- Food and daily care
- Veterinary treatment
- Shelter and staffing
- Rescue and inspection services
We receive no government funding.
We rely on adoption fees and donations to keep our doors open.
Why the process matters
Adoption is not just about giving an animal away.
It’s about ensuring that the animal goes to a safe, suitable, and permanent home.
That’s why we have:
- Home inspections
- Adoption screening
- Sterilisation requirements
These are not “barriers” — they are protections for the animal.
A difficult reality
Every year, we receive thousands of unwanted and stray animals.
There are not enough homes for all of them.
The adoption fee helps us:
- Prepare animals properly for new homes
- Prevent further unwanted litters
- Continue helping the next animal in need
The bottom line
The R1100 adoption fee is not the problem.
It is part of the solution.
It ensures that:
- Animals are healthy and sterilised
- Adopters are prepared
- The SPCA can continue its work
How you can help
If you cannot adopt right now, you can still make a difference:
- Donate
- Share adoption posts
- Support sterilisation initiatives
- Promote responsible pet ownership
Final thought
Adopting an animal is one of the most rewarding decisions you can make.
The adoption fee is not a price — it is a contribution towards giving an animal a safe, healthy, and responsible future.
What this means
For R1100, you are receiving services that would normally cost more than double at a private veterinarian.
The SPCA covers the majority of these costs — because our goal is not profit, but responsible and sustainable animal welfare.