Surrender a Pet

What are your Options?

Depending on the reason for wanting to surrender your pet, sometimes obedience classes or a behavioral specialist can help the situation so that you are able to keep your companion. Whatever the case may be, our staff are happy to discuss the options that are available to you, surrendering being the last resort. Here are some steps you can take to avoid having to surrender your pet to a shelter:

• Try to place your pet with family or friends that will love and care for them.
• Place an ad in the newspaper or at the local veterinarian office, our staff can give you tips on screening potential adopters.
• Consider obedience classes and/or seeking help from an animal behavioral specialist.
• Check if there is a breed rescue group for your breed of animal and contact them. They generally do a good job of screening potential adopters.
• Check with the source of the pet, i.e. the breeder. Responsible breeders will attempt to help you with any problems you're having or will often take their animals back.

What is Involved?

Please call us before arriving with your pet in order to make an appointment with our adoption staff. We may need time to make arrangements to accept your pet because we are normally at maximum capacity with strays and abandoned animals. The surrendering process takes approximately 30 minutes and we will require your pet's veterinary records. Please leave your animal in the vehicle while we complete the necessary paperwork, remember to bring your pet’s food, crate, collar, and any toys or blankets that may help them feel a bit more secure while in the transition period. You must sign ownership of your pet over to the Cochrane & Area Humane Society where we will make every possible effort to find your pet a suitable home, but cannot guarantee that a placement will always be made.