[diogenes ghost]

$180 if fees to 'adopt' a rescue dog???

That is astounding.

I'm pretty damned sure I could look around and get a stray for free.

[khelus]

... I'm pretty damned sure I could look around and get a stray for free.

The fee likely includes the cost of vetting, altering, feeding, housing, care, and screening potential adopters.

I've taken in both a stray dog and stray cats. Vetting and altering is not cheap. Don't forget TCRAS is a no kill shelter, so they house and care for their animals until a forever home is found.