Surrendering Your Pet
At P.A.W.S. we realize that there are times when owners can no longer care for their pets and we know how difficult a decision this can be. If you have a pet you can no longer care for, please call us first to discuss your situation. Surrendering your pet is not an easy choice to make and we are here to help you with the process.
If you’re surrendering your pet due to a behavior concern, the best solution could be to simply seek the guidance of an animal behaviorist or trainer. Just contact us and we can give you some additional information.
If you are confident in your decision to surrender your pet, please complete our dog surrender form or cat surrender form at the bottom of this page.
As an independent, not-for-profit organization, we ask for a $50 pet relinquishment fee. No pet will be turned away for due to an owner’s inability to pay. This relinquishment fee helps us care for the animals each year.
When surrendering my pet, what do I need to bring with me to the shelter?
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A completed dog surrender form or cat surrender form
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Your pet’s vaccination and medical records
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If the pet had an owner prior to you, as much information on the pet’s history as you know
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Toys, blankets, etc. will be accepted, but please know we cannot guarantee that these items will remain with your pet
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A current ID. (You must be 18 or older to surrender an animal.)
What will happen to my pet upon intake?
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When you relinquish your pet to P.A.W.S. your animal will be immediately vaccinated upon intake.
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Soon after, your pet will be evaluated for potential placement in our adoptions program. (Please note: We cannot guarantee that your pet will be placed up for adoption or adopted from our facility. Other options we may consider for your pet include transfer to another shelter, placement with a breed-specific rescue group)
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Our veterinary staff will perform a health evaluation, be spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped.
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Once the animals are cleared for health, he or she will be placed up for adoption
By surrendering your animal, you forfeit all rights, title and interest in the animal to P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center, and the animal becomes our property. At the time of surrender, you will be required to sign a transfer of ownership document that is legally binding. 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. If the animal is deemed to be adoptable we will do everything we can to find a loving new home for him/her, however, euthanasia may be the final outcome for the animal if the animal is deemed too aggressive to be adopted. We tell you this not to upset you, but to be completely transparent and honest with you out of respect for you and your pet.