Surrendering a pet

Life happens, P.A.W.S is here to help! 

We understand it can be difficult to surrender a pet – our team is here to help find the best possible solution for you and your pet.

How to Surrender

1. Please complete the Animal Intake Form for your Cat or Dog by clicking on the link.  We require you complete the Intake Form in advance to keep the appointment as brief as possible. These appointments can be traumatic for pets and their people.
2. Provide P.A.W.S. with contact information for your pets veterinarian, if available.
3. Once you have completed the Intake Form and it is reviewed by our Intake Manager a member of our team will contact you to set up a surrender appointment.

Does it cost to surrender a pet?

• Dogs and Cats – Spayed or neutered $50
• Dogs and Cats – Not spayed or neutered $100
• Litter of kittens or puppies – $100

What to bring to your surrender appointment:

• A driver’s license or other government issued ID.
• Your pet’s veterinary records.

P.A.W.S. may decline a surrender if:

During the behavior assessment the animal is found to exhibit dangerous behaviors.

P.A.W.S. is at maximum capacity; in this case you will be placed on a waiting list and contacted when space is available.

You obtained the pet from a different Humane Society or Rescue and they want the animal returned to them.

P.A.W.S. is a “limited admission shelter”. We will not take in animals who require euthanasia. P.A.W.S. does not have a Veterinarian on staff.

Surrender FAQ:

Why do I need to make an appointment to bring in a pet?

In order to ensure resources are ready and available when a pet arrives, P.A.W.S. requires a scheduled surrender appointment. Without an appointment process, we would have no control over the number of pets that come into our care each day, and our ability to provide the best possible care for each animal would be hindered.

What if I don’t want to make an appointment?

If you don’t want to schedule an appointment, we will refer you to other rescues and shelters or provide rehoming information to help you rehome your pet yourself.

What types of pets does P.A.W.S. accept?

P.A.W.S. provides services for cats and dogs. We do not accept exotic pets (such as reptiles and birds), rabbits, domestic rodents (rats, mice gerbils, hamsters, chinchillas, degus), ferrets, hedgehogs or livestock (such as chickens, pigs, and goats). If you have an exotic pet or livestock, we can refer you to a rescue or other resource that might be able to help.

Does P.A.W.S. accept strays?

Yes!

Can I visit my pet after I surrender it?

Once the animal is surrendered to the shelter you cannot come and visit the animal.  Being left at the shelter is a very hard adjustment for an animal to make. They will wait for days hoping that their family will return. Coming to see the animal only makes it harder for the animal.

Can I keep my pet in my home until it is adopted?

Animals that need to be re-homed must be relinquished to the shelter. Families cannot hold onto animals as it makes the adoption process harder if the animal is not at the shelter for the public to see.

What if I change my mind and want my pet back?

Occasionally, pet owners are put into a position where they have to surrender a pet to the shelter. Sometimes they find a way after they’ve surrendered that would allow them to have their pet.  We will use our discretion as to whether we will give an animal back to an owner.  Never surrender your pet when you are upset. If you are having difficulty with your pet’s behavior you can always call the shelter, consult your veterinarian or a professional before surrendering. Keep in mind that signing the surrender paperwork means you are signing your rights to that pet(s) to P.A.W.S. After the surrender form is signed the pet is P.A.W.S. property.

Will my pet find a good home?

Rest assured that our volunteers take very good care of all of the animals that come into the shelter.  They are all treated like they are family.  The adoption team screens applicants to make sure they will be the best fit for your pet.  When you surrender a pet, the filling out the animal intake form helps us to match your pet with the perfect home.  We love these animals like they are our own and we’ll do our very best to take care of them.

Can I find out what happens to my pet after it’s surrendered to P.A.W.S.?

Yes. If you contact P.A.W.S., we’ll let you know if your pet was adopted or placed with a rescue partner. However, we will not share adopter contact information or details about the rescue partner to which your pet is transferred.

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