I live in a town with a lot of animal communicators and have not yet met one who doesn't charge. It's the skill they have chosen for their livelihood, after all, no less than psychics and energy healers. Some are more kind in their choice of charges, though! I have found that the local communicators who are the most talented actually charge the least, ironically.

I really think it just depends on the life situation of the animal communicator. If she has a job and a comfortable living, she may choose to give away or exchange her services. But, I don't understand why she should HAVE to do something that is not her passion to support herself just so she can give away her services. Everyone has to make a living. I'm a massage therapist, and it doesn't cost me anything to put my hands on someone (and yes, that is a sacred connection), but people no more expect me to give away massages than I expect them to exercise their skills for free. I DO trade whenever I can, but the mortgage company doesn't accept massages in lieu of cash, so both trades and cash are important at this time. As a matter of fact, I do some free animal communication for friends, since I can make a living doing massage. I also pay animal communicators to speak to my pets.