SPCA raises price of pups, kittens

"Crippling" petrol prices have contributed to a dramatic increase in the cost of adopting kittens and puppies from the SPCA.

Wellington SPCA, which runs shelters in the capital city and on the Kapiti Coast, has increased the cost of adopting a puppy from $250 to $400 and a kitten from $150 to $210.

Kapiti shelter manager Lloyd Warren said they had been forced to raise fees.

"We have been crippled by petrol costs. We just have to have more income to cover our costs," Mr Warren said.

Since an SPCA inspector in Levin had resigned, Kapiti shelter staff were clocking up thousands of kilometres a week covering that district as well, he said. MORE>>