Procedures

Surrendering your pet

If you decide to surrender your pet, please provide as much information as possible on her/him by completing a pet profile form and providing current veterinary records, if available. All information will help us evaluate and care for your pet.

After your pet is surrendered, our qualified veterinary staff carefully evaluates him/her. The evaluation is based on a variety of factors, foremost of which are the animal's health and behavior. Animals deemed adoptable are placed in one of our adoption centers to await a new home; those that are not are humanely euthanized. We do not impose a time limit on pets in our adoption centers.

Information regarding the surrender of felines: In 2009, we took in 33,164 companion animals, of which 20,646 of them were feline. Unfortunately, the disparity between the number of cats brought to Animal Humane Society and the number of homes willing to adopt them means our criteria to be placed for adoption is higher for felines during high intake periods. 

If you are considering surrendering a litter of kittens, please learn more about our Kitten Support Project.

Your decision to give up a pet is final and irrevocable. By surrendering an animal, you forfeit all rights, title and interest in the animal to AHS. We cannot guarantee a home for every animal nor can we guarantee to keep any animal at the shelter for any specific period of time.

Please contact us with any questions you may have about surrendering your pet.

Surrender fee

We request the following intake fee when surrendering one or more animals. Actual expenses to place a pet into a new home can often add up to hundreds of dollars. Your additional donation is appreciated.

• Adult dog or cat: $45; Litters: $60 for two or more
• Rabbit, ferret or chinchilla: $30; Litters: $40 for two or more
• Guinea pig, rodent or bird: $10; Litters: $20 for two or more

Other requirements

Please bring a photo ID (such as a driver's license) with you.  You must be 18 years or older to surrender an animal.

Stay informed about your pet

Due to the high volume of calls we receive, we are unable to accept calls or release information regarding the final disposition of an animal. However, we do offer the AnSWER program for pet owners who wish to be informed of the evaluation results and want the option to reclaim the pet if it can’t be placed for adoption. Learn more about AnSWER here.

*Due to state regulations regarding animal bites, we cannot accept animals that have bitten during the previous 10 days. Please contact your local animal control for such cases.