To add to the money crisis, this year's SPCA national appeal, which usually raises $6000 locally, wasn't run in Wairarapa due to "difficulties", Mrs Ball said.
The surrender fee applies to owners who give up their pets. A donation request is also being made to every person who brings in a stray animal. Mrs Ball said some who are asked for a donation respond that they will "take it home and shoot it".
"There are too many animals being born for us to be able to deal with all of them," Mrs Ball said.
"We have people coming in here all the time and they say, 'We've just had a litter [of kittens] and when we say we don't have room for them they say, 'Don't worry we'll just dump them'."
The surrender fee varies at each SPCA centre, but RSPCA North Island regional manager Lloyd Warren said about $20 could be expected for surrendering a cat.
The funding challenges facing Wairarapa SPCA and centres across the country was a big worry.
"It's not just Wairarapa, it's a huge concern for all our centres," Mr Warren said.
"It's hard times for all, it's not just our own organisation either, there are many well-respected organisations in the country who are struggling and we're just one of them."
Mr Warren said he had met with Mrs Ball in recent months to discuss the financial challenges and the establishment of an op shop to sell second-hand goods could help.