The costs of SPCA

EDITOR,
In reference to Carole Summers’ Aug. 24 letter (“Senior fed up with the SPCA”), we’d like to first thank her for her donations of worn blankets and towels.
To clarify, there are two adoption centers in Santa Cruz: the Santa Cruz County Animal Services Authority, the recently opened county-run, county-government-funded shelter on Seventh Avenue; and the Santa Cruz Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a donation-funded nonprofit housed on Chanticleer Avenue. 
Animal Services is in charge of all animal control and licensing.
Like us at the SPCA, it also operates with limited staff. In addition to offering dogs and cats for adoption, the SPCA has a Humane Education program, a Pet for Seniors program and a pet food bank. We have no veterinarian on staff. When we rescue dogs and cats from overflowing shelters, they are in need of spaying or neutering, vaccinations, grooming and, often, costly vet care. 
Our adoption fees don’t begin to average out in our — ultimately, the dogs’ and cats’ — favor. Were it not for the compassion and generosity of our wonderful donors, not one of our adopters could claim to have found a beloved pet at the Santa Cruz SPCA.
If the initial cost of adopting a pet is financially difficult, so will be the inevitable trips to the vet, the cost of food and the many other expenses a well-cared-for pet can accrue in its lifetime. 
Were someone to take a “free” kitten or puppy from a box in front of one’s local grocery, that person would be taking a big gamble. Among the long list of illness possibilities attached to each of those animals are parvovirus, distemper, worms, feline leukemia, leptosporosis, mange, respiratory infection, etc. Any one of those will take you well above the adoption costs. 
I speak for all the wonderful rescue organizations and shelters in our forward-thinking county when I say it’s all about the animals. The more people who spay and neuter, the fewer animals that end up in shelters, the fewer that die and the more that find forever homes. 
Nancy Eaton, manager, Santa Cruz SPCA