We understand and appreciate that releasing your pet to the Shelter can be a difficult decision to make. You should include all members of your immediate family and/or household in your decision to release the animal prior to bringing your pet to us.
Releasing an animal to the Shelter is a final decision, transferring ownership of the animal to us. We will do what we feel is in the best interest of the animal, using our experience and available resources.
Many unwanted animal behaviors can be corrected, enabling pets to successfully remain in the family. If you would like information about training or other solutions for keeping your pet, please call us at 360-642-1180. We will be happy to assist you or refer you to others who can help.
Surrender Checklist
- Do you live in South Pacific County, Washington? We only accept animals from South Pacific County. Proof of residency is required. If your are not from South Pacific County, you will be referred to the appropriate rescue for your area.
- Is your pet aggressive? Unfortunately, we do not have the resources at this time to rehabilitate feral or aggressive pets. Please read about our Community Cat and Trap-Neuter-Return Program. For aggressive pets, please contact your veterinarian or a trainer for recommendations. We can help with referrals, if needed.
Unfortunately, we are unable to accept pets that don’t clear these criteria.
Surrender Process
- Call to be put on our waitlist. Call us at 360-642-1180 to be put on our waitlist for intake. As room becomes available in the shelter, we will take surrenders off the waitlist. Please note, there can be a lengthy wait depending on a number of factors at the shelter.
- Plan for evaluation time. Your pet must be evaluated prior to acceptance to ensure they do not have human aggression, are from South Pacific County, WA, and are in an adoptable condition. These decisions are complex and dependent on the pets in our care at the time of the surrender.
Surrender Fees
Because we are a non-profit organization operating with volunteers, we have established the following fee schedule for pet surrenders. This fee helps ensure we can continue to provide quality care.
- Cat: $25.
- Pregnant Cat: $35.
- Cat with Litter: $35.
- Dog: $50.
- Pregnant Dog: $75.
- Dog with Litter (up to 6): $75.
- Dog with Litter (over 6): $100.
If you cannot afford the surrender fee, please talk to us. Sponsorships may be available.
We try to keep all the pets in our care as long as they remain healthy and well-adjusted to the kennel environment. We attempt to place the pets in a responsible home where they will be considered a part of the family and a friend for life.
If we determine a pet has a higher chance of adoption at another shelter, we may “trade pets” with them. When this is done, it is always with another no-kill shelter or with the provision the pet will be returned to us rather than euthanized.
If any serious mental/physical disease factor is found, the animal will be euthanized (humanely put to death). Many times the kindest, most humane act we can do for an animal is to euthanize him. Regardless of our decision, the animal will be treated in a loving, humane manner.
