Surrendering a Animal

How to Surrender a Pet

Surrendering a pet is never an easy decision. But if you find you must part ways with your pet, you have options. First, notify trusted friends, family members, neighbors and coworkers that you need to find a new home for your pet. More often than not, this type of networking can have very positive results. Plus, you may even get to visit on occasion if you find your pet a new home within your social network.

Guidelines for Surrendering Your Pet to Our Shelter

Bringing your pet to our shelter should always be your last resort.

If you are unable to re-home your pet on your own, here are the guidelines for surrendering your pet to our shelter:

1. Fill out the surrender form & email it back to us for review.

2. Accepting surrenders are on a case by case basis. We assess the medical, behavioral & available space related issues at the time of the inquiry. If we don't have space, we may not be able to accomodate your request.

3. We do not shy away from medical needs or behaviorlly challenged dogs and cats to a point. Aggressive dogs or cats that have a history of biting are assessed on a case by case basis.

4. We require a donation of $50 for any animals that are not spayed or neutered or up to date with shots to help offset the many costs we will incur as we care for the pet(s) you are unable or unwilling to keep or care for any longer.

Why we ask for a surrender fee…

• We are a public charity – a private, non-profit 501c3 organization that meets a specialized need in our community. We serve the New York City community.

• We are not mandated to take in pets; rather, we do because we want to ensure a safe, humane haven for animals that have no other place to go.

• We do not receive any government funding.

• We RELY on donations and nominal adoption fees to support our efforts and the rescue organization.

• We spend an average of $150 for each animal that we take in or rescue to care for each dog, cat, puppy or kitten in our shelter. This includes vaccinations, spay or neuter surgery, flea/tick control, laboratory tests and food/boarding, which average $15 per day per animal. The average stay per animal is 10-14 days.

• Our average adoption fee is between $200-$300.

We greatly appreciate your understanding of - and cooperation with - our surrender fees.

What Comes Next?

We understand that surrendering your pet is one of the most difficult decisions you’ve ever had to make. The anxiety over whether it was a good decision or not can be overwhelming at times and it is for that reason that we do not disclose any personal information about the pet once he or she is surrendered to us.

But please know that we have your surrendered pet’s best interests as our priority, as we do all the other pets who come through our doors. While we cannot provide updates, take comfort in the fact that we are committed to providing the very best care and helping your pet and all the other pets in our care find amazing and awesome new forever homes as quickly as possible.