SURRENDERING YOUR PET

We understand how difficult it can be to consider giving up your pet. Before you surrender, let’s explore solutions to help you keep them with you:

Common Challenges & Solutions

  • Moving
    Can’t take your pet with you? Ask yourself why. If it’s due to space, exercise needs, or breed restrictions, there are often ways to adapt. For example:

    • Create an exercise plan like regular walks or trips to the park.

    • Search online for pet-friendly housing. Websites listing “pet-friendly apartments” are great starting points.

    • Train your dog in basic obedience or manners and bring proof of training to landlords to show they’re well-behaved.

  • Financial Issues
    Struggling to afford pet care? Pet deposits can sometimes be paid in installments, and saving ahead for a move can ease the burden. For feeding assistance, contact organizations like Halo Cafe.

  • Behavior Problems
    Most behavioral issues can be resolved with proper training. There are training videos available for almost any behavior you can imagine on YouTube. We also recommend exploring the PetSmart Training Program, which offers a variety of resources and classes. Visit PetSmart Training for more information and to find a program that works for you.

  • If keeping your pet isn’t possible, we recommend trying Rehome.com by Adopt-a-Pet. This secure platform helps you find a new, loving home for your pet. Rehome provides tools to create a pet profile, connect with potential adopters, and complete adoption agreements. Visit Rehome.com to get started.

If you still need to surrender your pet to us:

  1. Please fill out our online surrender request form for owned pets only.

  2. Provide proof of current vaccinations (DAPP and Rabies) or ensure your pet is vaccinated at least three days before surrendering. Vaccinations can be done at The HOPE Animal Foundation.

  3. Please note: Due to limited space, we cannot guarantee acceptance of all pets. We prioritize pets that are adoptable and friendly with people and other animals.

 Strays

When you find a stray animal, the goal is to reunite them with their owner. A "reasonable effort" includes posting flyers, placing found ads on sites like Nextdoor and Facebook, submitting a found report to local animal control, and checking lost pet listings. Remember, animals can quickly become dirty or thin on the streets, so don’t assume they’re neglected. They may have loving owners desperately searching for them.

Looking for owners instead of turning pets into shelters allows the shelter more space to help animals that need to be there. Please note that in most cases, we do not take in stray pets unless finders have completed the necessary steps to locate the owner. This ensures every effort has been made to reconnect pets with their families.