The Chilton County Humane Society will raise its adoption fees next week to help offset rising costs.

Beginning March 1, fees will be $110 for dogs and $85 for cats.

The increase is due to higher costs for veterinary services, medical supplies and utilities, shelter director Joe Murphy said.

“I really regret having to do that, but we wouldn’t be able to cover the costs if we didn’t,” said Murphy. “Our costs have gone up, but I want to make sure adopters get a healthy pet.”

The current rates are $100 per dog and $75 for cats.

“Our adoption fees cover these expenses, but just barely,” said Murphy. “To maintain the same level of care and health of animals, we, in turn, must raise our adoption fees,” said Murphy. “Currently, our adoptable animals are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, fully dewormed, treated for fleas, and tested for heartworms or feline leukemia. The last thing we want to do is sell our adopters short by skimping on the services rendered.”

The return rate of animals for the society is low, and they average 30 local adoptions a month.

“Not a day goes by that we do not have an adoption,” Murphy said. “But after everything, we break even. As a nonprofit, we’re not trying to make money, but use it more wisely.”

“When you take your new pet home from the shelter, the animal is ready to become a member of your family,” said Board President Colleen Kennedy.

Kennedy cited a need for creating and maintaining public awareness of the overpopulation problem and the responsibility of all pet owners to spay and neuter their pets.

“Having your new pet already altered is just one of the many benefits of adopting a companion animal from the Chilton County Humane Society,” Kennedy said.  “Knowing you’ve saved an animal’s life is yet another.”

Donations to the shelter are always welcomed and are tax-deductible, said Murphy.

“We respect the fact that times have been hard financially for most people, and we honor their donations by being as frugal and responsible as possible,” he said. “It’s all about the animals.”

For more information about adopting a pet, or to make a donation, contact the Chilton County Humane Society at 755-9170 or chiltoncountyhum@bellsouth.net.