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Alternatives to Surrendering Your Pet

Are you thinking of surrendering your pet to a shelter? Is your dog becoming destructive? Barking too much? Is the cat suddenly having litter box issues? Has your child developed an allergy? Before making a rash decision, give the issue some thought and consider looking for other solutions. Owner surrendered pets are often the first ones to be euthanized at city shelters.

Below are a few ideas to try:

  • Have your pet evaluated by a veterinarian. There could be an underlying medical issue.
  • Is your pet getting plenty of exercise? Boredom often leads pets to find their own entertainment which might involve your curtains! Try spending more time with your pet by going for walks or playing a game of fetch.
  • Behavioral issues can often be worked out after a one-on-one session with a professional dog trainer or animal behaviorist. These pros have insight into what makes dogs tick and can provide real world advice on how to curb common owner complaints such as barking or digging.
  • Moving? Find “pet friendly” housing through search engines such as http://www.myapartmentmap.com/pet_friendly/
  • Allergies? Create a pet-free zone, usually the allergic person’s bedroom that is off limits to the family pet. Bathe pets more frequently to reduce dander. Use HEPA filters throughout the house and keep up with dusting and vacuuming to reduce allergens. For more information about pet allergy testing, click here.

Surrendering Your Pet to the Helotes Humane Society

In the event you have tried some of the above mentioned solutions and still find it necessary to surrender your pet, please be advised that the Helotes Humane Society is a foster-home based organization. We do not operate an animal shelter facility. All intakes of owner surrendered animals are done by appointment only. If you would like your dog to be considered for intake into our organization for re-homing, please complete the form below and email to: info@hhsanimals.org

Owner Surrender – Dog

Please fill out this form to surrender your dog.

If you would like your cat to be considered for intake into our organization for re-homing, please email the following information along with at least one picture to: info@hhsanimals.org

Age
Gender
Spay/neuter status
Vaccination status
Reason for surrendering
General information about the cat – does it get along cats/dogs? Is it an indoor only cat? Information about the cat’s personality – is it a snuggly lap cat or a is it more aloof?

We will review your request and will contact you as soon as possible. Owner surrender fees are as follows: $50 for all dogs/cats, $10 per animal for litters of puppies or kittens. If proof is provided that the mother of a surrendered litter is spayed within 30 days of surrender of the litter, we will refund ½ of the surrender fee. For dogs only, owners must provide proof of a negative heartworm test within the past 30 days or there will be an additional $25 fee. If the dog is heartworm positive, we may still be able to take it but there will be an additional $150 fee to help cover the cost of heartworm treatment.

Finding a New Home for Your Pet – On Your Own

You can attempt to place your pet into a new home on your own. You can list your pets on Adopt-a-Pet of Paws Like Me to try to find new homes:

Adopt a Pet
Paws Like Me

We do not recommend Craigslist or Ebay. Be sure never to give your pet away for “free”. There are unscrupulous people out there who may take advantage of your pet and you. Carefully screen any potential adopter to make sure they can give your pet a suitable, stable home. If you need help in what types of questions to ask a potential adopter, we’d be glad to offer assistance.

Other shelters or rescue groups in the surrounding area:

If you need to surrender your pet and we are unable to take it, please check this list for other shelters or rescue groups in the area immediately surrounding San Antonio and Bexar County that may be able to help. All information on this list is current as of November 12, 2020. We do not endorse or recommend any of these organizations; this is being provided as a resource only.

Area Resources

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