Xpress should not charge for pet-adoption ads in print

I just wanted to say how dismayed I was recently when I created an ad for a pet that I have taken in and for whom I am trying to find a better home situation. My ad is appearing online only due to print fees, and I know how greatly that diminishes my chance of success in placing her: So many more people pick up the paper than go online, especially for pet adoptions.

Over the years, I have been able to place a number of strays and found pets through the Xpress at no cost, and most of the time I have been successful. Your readership is generally an intelligent, compassionate one, and an ad in your paper virtually guarantees success in placing pets in excellent homes. But now we have to pay to guarantee that an ad will appear in print, which is very disheartening because, after paying all veterinary fees involved to ensure good health and better adoption potential — I now have to spend even more — which I am hard-pressed to do. I'd say that many who take in strays and unwanted pets are in the same position — our sense of compassion wins over our purse strings hands down, and for us the Xpress has always been the greatest friend.

Maybe your budget is tight too, but to charge for pet-adoption ads seems like a hardhearted thing to do when you think about the stories behind the ads. I understand the Citizen -Times is now charging as well, but I long ago found that I never did as well there with adoptions as I have with the Xpress. And I would never again place an ad in the Iwanna for an adoption, though I would for many other things.

I wish you would reconsider.

— Diana LaSpada
Arden

Editor's note: Thank you for your concern and for bringing this to our attention.  We at Xpress agree that this is an important service and so we are changing our policy today.  From now on, the Lost Pets, Found Pets and Pets for adoption categories will run in print for free.

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Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

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5 thoughts on “Xpress should not charge for pet-adoption ads in print

  1. Carrie

    Wow! I am so impressed XPress! I thought the writer made good points, obviously you did too. You did a good thing!

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