P.E.I. Humane Society drops fee for giving up pets

The P.E.I. Humane Society has eliminated the mandatory fee to surrender a pet, but is still asking for a voluntary donation.

Owners were being charged $25 an animal when they gave them up. Executive director Marla Somersall said the society was hearing the fee was a barrier for some.

"We certainly do hear it anecdotally in the community," said Somersall.

"We also hear it from people who call us desperate for a solution. They can't take care of their animals properly. Quite often we have waived the fee historically. We always have to balance owner responsibility with making sure that we do the right thing for animals."

Close to 550 animals were surrendered to the P.E.I. Humane Society last year. Not counting waived fees, Somersall estimates the change will cost the society $8,000 a year.

In place of the fee, the society will ask for a donation.

The Humane Society will be on the road Wednesday, providing residents of Prince County an opportunity to surrender animals they can't care for without having to travel to Charlottetown.

They will be at the Ralph MacLellan Sports Centre in Richmond starting at 10 a.m.

The plan is to continue that mobile service on a monthly basis.

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