Give BIG for WAIF Animals!

Will you help fund a day of care at WAIF? 

We invest a lot in our shelter animals. Our staff works tirelessly to provide every homeless pet in our care with daily food, water, cleaning, enrichment, and training. We spay and neuter every animal prior to adoption and administer critical vaccinations and veterinary care. We wash seemingly endless loads of dishes and laundry. We care for every homeless dog or cat without time or space constraints, for as long as it takes to find them a home. 

As you can imagine, it costs a lot to maintain this level of care. Our animal care programs cost around $4,500 per day (not including our thrift stores, administration, and fundraising expenses!)

Our shelter animals rely on the compassion of WAIF's supporters to provide for their daily needs. That's why this GiveBIG, we're asking you to help us fund a day of care at WAIF. 

Can we count on you to help us reach our $4,500 goal?

Typical expenses for animal shelters include personnel costs, veterinary care, facility operations, and daily animal supplies. For a standard facility, payroll often represents the largest recurring expense, accounting for over 60% of total operating budgets. 

Operating Expense Breakdown

Shelter costs are generally divided into fixed overhead and variable animal-related expenses.

Facility & Operational Costs (Fixed)

• Personnel & Staffing: Salaries for animal care techs, veterinary support, and administrative staff.

• Utilities: Essential services such as electricity, water, gas, and climate control (HVAC) to maintain safe environments for animals. Utilities also include, but not limited to, technology services such as internet, phones, and software.

• Insurance: Mandatory liability and specialized animal welfare policies. 

Animal Care Costs (Variable)

• Veterinary Care: Often the single largest expense per animal, covering routine vaccinations, spay/neuter surgeries, microchipping, and emergency medical treatments.

• Nutrition: Daily food for various species and life stages (e.g., specialized prescription diets for puppies or medical needs).

• Sanitation: Cleaning supplies, disinfectants, and labor to maintain hygiene standards.

• Enrichment: Toys, bedding, crates, and behavioral training tools. 

Average Cost Metrics (2025–2026 Data)

As of early 2026, the average cost to care for a single shelter animal typically can range from $11 to $30 per day. 

Key Financial Challenges

• Inflation: Rising costs for pet food (up ~15%) and medical supplies have significantly increased the average cost of care per animal, which has nearly doubled in some regions over the last decade.

• Adoption Fee Gap: Adoption fees (typically $100–$500) rarely cover the actual cost of preparing an animal for a home ($200–$1,000+), requiring heavy subsidies from donations and grants.

• Length of Stay: Total costs correlate directly with how long an animal remains in the shelter. For example, a 10-day stay might cost $110, while a stay over 120 days can exceed $2,000. 

You can take a closer look at our published financials here.