We are a private, limited admission shelter, which means we limit our intake to what we can safely care for until each animal in our care finds a loving home. This means we do not euthanize for space and there is no time limit on how long a pet stays in our facility while they wait for adoption. We make every effort to place pets in new, loving homes. However, if you choose to surrender an animal, we cannot guarantee the rehoming of your pet. The placement of an individual animal for adoption is based on the ongoing evaluation of their health and temperament.
To speed our intake and adoption process, we have created a surrender form that helps us streamline our intake and potentially place your pet in a foster or permanent home sooner.
Please review our “Before You Surrender Your Pet” section, and, if you still decide to surrender your pet, fill out the form below as thoroughly as possible to help your pet find a fast and “furever” placement.
Before You Surrender Your Pet
If you are considering surrendering your pet, please read the following information before you make the final decision:
- Talk with all family members and make sure everyone is aware and on board with the decision. Surrendering your pet is a serious decision and all owners should be consulted. Shelters are not pet boarding facilities. You cannot go back and forth on this decision. It is not fair to your pet.
- Check with relatives or friends who may be willing and able to provide your pet with a loving home. Often, family members will come to our shelter and adopt pets that were surrendered once they learn about it. If this can be streamlined so your pet never enters the shelter, it is best for your pet.
- Finding a pet-friendly apartment may take a little more effort, but today there are many more rental options for people with pets. Try visiting one of the many websites tailored to the needs of pet owners, such as rent.com, peoplewithpets.com or apartmentlist.com.
- Unsterilized (intact) pets are at much greater risk of being surrendered by their owners. This is due to related health or behavior (aggression, marking, roaming) reasons, or because they produce “unwanted” litters. By having your pet neutered or spayed, you may find you do not need to give him or her up.
Consider Pet Training
Training will make your pet more adoptable and may even allow you to keep it.
We recommend the following training resources:
Locally–Dog Blessed Training
Virtually–Goodpup. They offer one week of FREE virtual training to help reduce surrenders to shelters!
Tips For Rehoming Your Pet On Your Own
If you decide to rehome your pet on your own, consider these tips:
- Spread the word among friends, relatives and co-workers whom you trust.
- Give yourself a few weeks to place the animal in a good home, and never give away your pet to someone without screening the person carefully and asking for references.
- Please do not give your pet away “free to a good home” as there are unscrupulous individuals who could harm your pet or sell the animal for research to make money.