Pet SURRENDER

Surrendering a pet can be a difficult decision. Our goal is to keep pets in their loving homes whenever possible. Below are some alternative options that you can consider before surrendering your pet.

 

Pet Behavior Modification

Many times, pets are surrendered to animal shelters due to undesirable behaviors that can be managed in their current household. Below are some common issues that pets may face in their home and resources to help you work on these issues.

+ Aggression

Any animal demonstrating aggressive behaviors including snapping, snarling, or biting should meet with a professional to implement a training plan.

We recommend reputable organizations that ensure some level of certification or adherence to science-based training methods. These include: Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA), International Association of Animal Behaviorist Consultants (ACDBC, CDBC), Pet Professional Guild, Academy for Dog Trainers (CTC), or Karen Pryor Academy (KPA-CTP).

A few of the Bay Area trainers we recommend are:

+ General Manners and Leash Reactivity

Most dogs can benefit from general training classes to build a good foundation for future training. These classes can help you resolve common issues like leash reactivity, jumping up, leash manners, and general obedience.

Some training facilities we recommend are:

+ In-Home Manners

Some organizations provide free resources for pet owners who are struggling with certain behavioral issues in the household. The topics covered include, but are not limited to, housetraining, socialization, destructive chewing, separation anxiety, excessive barking, resource guarding, and desensitization.

Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle changes can happen quickly and unexpectedly. Below are some options for adjustments pet owners can make in the home to acclimate their pets to these changes.

+ Welcoming a New Family Member

Welcoming a new family member into the home is exciting but can also be a lot of change for your pet. We recommend looking at the resources below on how to acclimate pets to the new arrival(s). It takes time, but most pets and children can live together with supervision and management.

+ Pet Allergies

When you or someone in your household develops or has pet allergies, solutions may be available through your doctor. Some people may be eligible for allergy shots that make living with a four-legged family member a possibility. We recommend reaching out to your primary care physician to see if that is an option for you.

+ Financial Constraints

If you have fallen on hard times or need help to keep your pet, we offer pet care assistance to those who qualify. We offer assistance with veterinary care and pet food.

+ Finding Pet Friendly Housing

If you are looking into pet-friendly housing, we recommend resources like aparmentguide.com or apartments.com.

Alternatively, you can reach out to your current landlord to see if an exception can be made for your pet(s).

When looking for a rental, print a pet resume for your beloved family member. It is helpful to have a previous landlord or veterinarian that can vouch for your well-behaved pet. Click here to see how you can create a resume for your pet.

+ Spending More Time Away from Home

If you are not home as often anymore, consider looking into dog boarding, doggy daycare, or dog walkers. It is important to read through the reviews and ensure that the place or person is a good fit for your pet and their needs.

Rehoming options

If you have tried the resources above and are still unable to keep your pet, we recommend looking into these rehoming options before going to your public shelter.

+ Friends or Family

We recommend rehoming your pet to friends or family when possible. By reaching out to loved ones or posting on your personal social media or NextDoor, you may find someone in your network who can take your pet. If it is not possible, please take a look at the resources below.

Here is some important information you should know before placing your dog into a new home.

+ Your Community

Reaching out to members of your community on rehoming websites is a great option for those looking to rehome. Below are some options:

Here is some important information you should know before placing your dog into a new home.

+ Breed-Specific Rescues

Another option for rehoming your pet is through breed-specific rescues. Check out this website for a full list of breed-specific and local rescues. These rescues will not only be familiar with breed temperament, but will also have the network to find your pet a loving home.

+ Species-Specific Rescues

Species-specific rescues will be experts in how to properly care for your pet until they find a new home. Below are just a a few in the Bay Area.

Cats

Guinea Pigs

Rabbits

Rats

Surrendering a Pet

We understand that there are times when you may need to surrender a pet. We’re here to help.

Pets In Need accepts owner surrenders from residents of Palo Alto, Los Altos, and Los Altos Hills. If you are a resident outside of the jurisdiction, please contact your local shelter.

Appointments Are Encouraged

Please schedule an appointment when surrendering an animal. To surrender a pet, please call us at (650) 496-5971 or by email at infopa@petsinneed.org to schedule an appointment. When scheduling, please be prepared to share your pet’s health, behavior, and history. This helps us assess the best way to support your pet. Walk-ins may not be immediately accepted, but we’ll ensure you’re guided through the process.

If you adopted your pet from Pets In Need and need to surrender the pet back to the shelter, click here.

Fees and Services
There may be surrender fees or other requirements depending on the situation.