Resource List. Cats being considered must meet an Intake Team Member for behavior/medical evaluation and must meet the following criteria: - Be friendly with humans (must enjoy being . This is just a matter of realism. This will help potential adopters get a better sense of your cats needs. What should I do if my cat has medical issues? If you decide to surrender your pet The Sacramento SPCA cares for more than 5,500 homeless animals annually. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. As Inga Fricke of The Humane Society of the United Statesputs it, shelter returns are not inherently bad., Why, if the relationship doesnt work out, do we condemn the person who returns the pet and call it and them a failure? she says. In some cases, the new cat or the existing cats will never mesh well. Many adoption centers require that cats be spayed or neutered before they can be accepted for adoption. Although we accept all animals in need, we currently are accepting voluntary owner surrenders by appointment only. There are several places that take cats for free, and we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions to help you find the right fit for your kitty. By surrendering an animal to Animal Friends . It was last reviewed for accuracy and updated Aug. 26, 2019. Fortunately, theres a clear way to tell. While some options may be free, they may also have certain requirements or qualifications that need to be met before they can accept a cat for surrender. One cat per appointment. Can I give up my cat to an adoption center if they are not spayed or neutered? Here are legitimate reasons to give up your cat. I needed it so much. Theyd much rather take the time to give you advice than to have your kitty returned to them. Your experience with this cat will provide us with valuable information to help us find a home that will cater to its unique needs. Phone: (401) 438-8150. Older animals generally do not do well in a shelter environment. If the new owner is comfortable with the idea, stay in contact and get updates about the cat for the next few days or weeks. However, you should avoid focusing on these for too long. Some cats may be adopted within a few days, while others may take several weeks or even months to find the right home. Spaying is essential for the health of your female cat, as well, preventing many cases of uterine infections and cancers. Others have funds set up for vital veterinary care. This fee helps us care for more than 20,000 animals each year. People really need to do their research before coming in, Wake County (North Carolina) Animal Services Director Dr. Jennifer Federico, DVM, told The Dodo. Before taking your cat to a free adoption center, its important to make sure they are healthy and up-to-date on their vaccinations. Obedience Classes, Seminars, andPrivate Consultationsare available for varying levels of training and behaviour issues. One of the ways they operate is by accepting animals that are surrendered by their owners. Our dedicated team of experts is here to support you Premium Powerups Explore . If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Some owners may be forced to rehome their cat when they cant afford to keep it. If the answer is no, then a trip to the vet is in order. This can be a great option if you are not ready to give up your cat permanently, but still want to help them find a new home. I am really glad that you speak on this! We do this not to be mean or insensitive to previous owners but to protect the information and privacy of all parties involved. It may be beneficial to look over old photographs and reflect on the good times you and your cat spent together. Surrendering a pet can be an incredibly difficult decision. But the truth is, not every pet adoption is a perfect match and sometimes returning a pet to the shelter is the only option an adopter has. The PPP helps CHS understand your pet's personality, needs, and preferences, so please be as thorough and honest as possible. It takes courage and humility to ask for help. Separation anxiety is one of the most common problems we face with animals surrendered to the shelter. If adopting your new puppy was saving them, is returning that puppy dooming them? Play fair, and only ask for help for the cat(s) you already have. These organizations work tirelessly to find suitable homes for cats, providing food, shelter, medical care, and love until they can be adopted. Your cat may be confused and stressed at first, but will soon settle in with the right owner. Pet Surrender. * Shelters are designed to house strays and lost animals. However, the new owners might refuse, or the cat may be gone already. This means that for one reason or another the owner has had circumstances arise where they cant keep the pet. If proof is provided that the mother of a surrendered litter is spayed within 30 days of surrender of the litter, we will refund of the surrender fee. However, any distress caused by the surrender is short-lived compared to the damage caused by keeping them in an unsuitable home. You should also provide their medical history and any information about their behavior and personality to the adoption center. It's to help them. Of course, we urge you to have a conversation with your veterinarian for suggestions and to be certain there is no underlying physical problem.If youve determined that you are unable to keep your cat, ask family members, neighbors, co-workers and friends if they might be able to provide a new home. We will accept any pet from a resident of one of Metro's cities. Leaving them outside to fend for themselves is likely to cause them emotional distress and loneliness. Just give yourself the space to let that process happen naturally. Before PAWS can take custody of your pet, you need to submit a surrender form for the animal. If you decide to surrender with us, review surrender fees below Schedule an appointment and complete surrender form online You may be contacted by MCACC for more information (if needed) Attend appointment with ID and payment ready to surrender your pet Note: We do not accept stray or community cats. In order to cover the costs of caring for these animals, many SPCAs charge a surrender fee. Someone who grew up with a cat in the home may develop an allergy later on. If you have not done so already, have your pet spayed or neutered. This is the number one reason given for pet surrender in many shelters. Your email address will not be published. But after a week in your home, the dog is blooming into a rambunctious and loud puppy not so perfect for your little apartment. If the 60-day return policy has expired, you will not receive a gift card. These organizations may be able to take in your cat and provide it with care. Most owners are prepared to deal with such costs. If your cat can stay in your home during the search for a new family, they will be less stressed and most likely have an easier adjustment to their new home. I'm a proud owner of 5 adult cats (all adopted strays), including a senior cat who is now 20. The dogs you might see for adoption in store are available through a shelter or rescue that is in partnership with the Petco Foundation. Still, person after person abandoned an animal that they, at one point, had promised to love and provide for forever. If you need extra time, see if a family member or friend will take your cat in as a temporary foster until you can find what you need. Great post, hopefully, it helps keep some people and their cats together. Have other pets been removed or properly socialized to accept the cat? Its not uncommon for owners to give their cats away or put them up for adoption. Sometimes it takes a few weeks for a cat to be entirely carefree and playful again. This means that we then assume the new role as the owner of that animal. To make things a little easier, here is a list of resources Ive compiled that will help guide you to surrender your cat. Shelters can be very stressful environments for pets. As compassionate rescuers and animal-loving people, it's important not shame people for surrendering their pets. There are a variety of places that take cats for free, including animal shelters, rescue groups, and sometimes even individuals. If a tough decision has to be made due to illness, have the courage to make it yourself. Your email address will not be published. You need to decide for yourself if you did the best you could for the cat. If you would prefer, you can surrender your cat to friends or family in a better position than yourself. When a cat is used to living in a home they know and are comfortable in, moving to a shelter or rescue with other pets and people they don't know may be a big adjustment. If ensuring your cat ends up adopted into a loving home is important to you, there is another option that will help your cat be seen by millions of potential adopters. If it lives better, healthier, and safer in a new home, take comfort in this fact. Many rescues/shelters will not return an animal to a person who surrendered the animal (with some exceptions) in part out of concern that whatever caused a person to surrender the animal could happen again. 200 and for surrendering in Carson City, please call (775) 887-2171. As you can see, there are many legitimate circumstances wherein you need to give away a cat. Thats because the cat: Consider the repercussions for yourself. Secondly, cats are social creatures that thrive on human companionship. You may feel as though you have failed the cat because you cant provide for them or have given up on them. If your pet is suffering from a medical condition or is unsafe in the household, you may relinquish the animal for euthanasia after paying a $20 fee. Sometimes surrender is in the best interests of the cat. If you can prove youve maintained the value of your rental, despite having pets, youre much more likely to find a tolerant landlord. Surrendering a pet can be an incredibly difficult decision. You can contact the PetSmart Adoption Center or the PetSmart Charities adoption partners program for more information on the process and requirements. Understand that the new owners are likely attached to the cat, depending on how long its been. Open admission shelters are a common choice because they have skilled staff that can care for the cat and work on finding new owners. Its important to remember that giving away a cat doesnt make you a terrible person. Many cat rescue groups in your area may accept cats for surrender and work to find them a new home. Here are the main reasons why people choose to surrender their pets, and some ideas to try that may help you keep your companion with you. For this reason, it is better that you do not try to visit your cat once its rehomed. Spaying and neutering is the first step to altering that statistic. This is wise since being miserable doesnt make you a better owner. Can I Ask The New Owners For My Cat Back? When giving away a cat, its only considered an awful decision if an owner: This is rarely the situation for a compassionate owner. If your decision falls into one of these categories, then like many owners, it was the right choice for you to follow through: Many owners are forced to give their cats up because of allergies. Veterinary medicine is expensive, and getting more so every day, and these surgeries are no exception. After returning your pet to the shelter or rescue, you may not be immediately ready for another pet. Be sure to find a no-kill shelter. This may prevent that person from owning a feline as an adult. My name is Katie, and I have had different pets at home for as long as I can remember. If at any time you can no longer care for your adopted pet, you may surrender the animal to AHS. Unfortunately, cat allergies can be difficult to pinpoint. Prepare your pet. Instead of putting him down I surrendered him to a shelter that can provide him . Living with one full-time can be a nightmare for your health and daily routine. Unscheduled admissions take additional time and resources, which impacts the timeline of animals in our care, as well as the schedule of our team members who care for them. The rest will be euthanized, or live their lives as part of a feral colony where disease and predators cut short their lifespans. If you are surrendering an equine or other barn animal, please refer to the Second Chance Ranch page for more information. It is also very difficult to find an adopter. If surrendering your pet to CHS seems to be the best option, you'll get an email to fill out an online questionnaire about your pet called a Pet Personality Profile (PPP). With a degree in Animal Behaviour and over a decade of practical animal husbandry experience, Hannah's articles cover everything from pet care to wildlife conservation. To help us understand you and your cat's needs please complete the questionnaire as fully and as honestly as possible. Required fields are marked *. 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