The Bastrop County Animal Control shelter is making it easier to take home a loving pet after recently lowering their adoption fees for dogs and cats.

“We want to help get pets in homes,” said Troy Walters, shelter director. “The up-front cost of getting a pet adopted from our shelter was too expensive previously – especially in this economy.”

The previous cost of $96 for adopting either cats and dogs has been reduced to $75 for dogs and $45 for cats, under the shelter’s new fee schedule, Walters said. Those fees include spay/neutering, current vaccinations, several diagnostic tests and an implanted ID microchip.

The new fees were put into effect in mid-June after approval by the Bastrop County Commissioners Court. The animal adoption fees for senior citizens and members of the U.S. military are even a better deal. Senior citizens (age 65 and above) are charged $65 for dog adoption and $35 for cats; military members pay $60 for dogs and $30 for cats.

“Our new fees help us to keep competitive with other shelters,” Walters said. He said he had checked with shelters in Austin, San Antonio and Williamson County before coming up with a revised fee schedule.

The fees for reclaiming animals picked up by the shelter has also been reduced from $55 to $45, if the owner can provide documented proof of rabies vaccination.

If animals are not already vaccinated for rabies, then the reclaim fee is $60. Both those fees increase at a rate of $5 per day, after three days at the shelter.

“Impounded animals are vaccinated for diseases, like distemper and kennel cough and are wormed, but they are not vaccinated for rabies. A licensed vet is required to do this,” Walters said.

All animals reclaimed will receive implanted micro-chipped IDs before release.

The surrender fees for dogs and cats will remain the same: $20 per litter (under 8 weeks); $5 per animal (eight weeks to six months); and $10 per animal (over six months).

“We did not put a pricing schedule for all other animals due to the variety that could be surrendered to the shelter,” Walters said. “Any pets other than dogs and cats, such as rabbits, chickens, hamsters, snakes or fish are transferred to rescue groups or donated to an adopter, for which there is no charge.”

Larger stray animals, such as horses, goats, pigs, donkeys, cattle are also sent to rescue organizations or auction.

“There is not an adoption process for these type of animals,” Walters said. “And wildlife is referred to wildlife rescue in Austin.”

For a complete listing of the new fees, see the county’s website at: www. co.bastrop.tx.us and then click on “Other County Offices,” “Animal Control”  and “Animal Control Fee Structure.”