Resources to Consider Before Surrendering Your Pet

We understand that this is a difficult time for you and your pet. Before surrendering your pet, please follow the links below relating to your particular situation. We hope that the following information and links will provide you with more information to consider and possible solutions to help you avoid needing to surrender your pet.

Why are you considering surrendering your pet?

If you have tried all possible options and these alternative resources don’t address the circumstances you are experiencing with your pet, Cape Ann Animal Aid may be able to take in your pet. There is a process to follow and intake is done by appointment only.

Surrendering an Animal to Cape Ann Animal Aid

SURRENDERING AN ANIMAL

Because we do not euthanize any animal for age, lack of space, or length of stay, we must wait until an animal gets adopted before taking in another. To facilitate this process, we maintain a waiting list for local dogs and cats needing placement. This waiting list grows and shrinks in relation to our adoptions. Intake is done by appointment only.

We ask owners to complete a thorough questionnaire about the animal’s personality, habits, and demeanor. This information, coupled with observations by our shelter staff allows us to identify the best needs of the animal in our shelter and in the future. Based on this information, and whenever possible, we house animals in pairs or groups. Because dogs and cats are social animals, we feel they are happier with a pal. Likewise, when dogs and cats prefer their own space, we respect this need. It is important to understand that potential housing situations can have an impact on the waiting list length.

WE ALSO CONSIDER MANY FACTORS WHEN ACCEPTING ANIMAL SURRENDERS SUCH AS:

Shelter Capacity:
If our shelter is full to capacity, we do not have additional housing areas available for another animal. It is for this reason that we maintain an active waiting list for local animals needing placement.

Emotional/Physical/Behavioral Needs of the Animal:
In many cases, we work with animals with minor emotional, physical, or behavioral challenges. For example, we have medically treated animals prior to adoption for ailments such orthopedic conditions, dental issues, and common skin problems. We also consult with local trainers regarding behavioral modification plans for animals needing extra behavioral training. In addition, we provide mental and physical exercise for all of the shelter animals to maintain emotional and physical well being.

In spite of these efforts and exceptional level of care, we understand that the shelter environment is not ideal for animals with extreme emotional, physical, or behavioral issues. If we do not feel confident that we have the resources, dedicated staff, or expertise needed to best work with the animal, we provide appropriate resource information to the pet owner in addition to information about other potential placement options or resources such as veterinarians, behaviorists, trainers, and/or other humane organizations and rescue groups.

Age of the Animal:
We accept senior animals into our shelter and even have a dedicated Super Senior Cat Adoption Program to help senior cats find homes more quickly. However, senior pets are often more deeply affected by the loss of their families and home-life than younger animals and as a result, their physical and mental health can quickly decline in a shelter environment. Whenever possible, we counsel owners wishing to surrender their older cats and dogs on ways they can retain ownership and/or how to successfully and privately place their senior pet directly into a new home.

Safety of Our Staff and Volunteers:
Human safety is a priority. We do not have the resources or staff training to rehabilitate severe aggression in animals and thus cannot accept animals with a bite history or aggression issues that we feel would place anyone at risk. Doing so would be irresponsible and could not only expose members of our community to potential harm, but would also damage the reputation of all rescued pets.

SURRENDER PROFILE

If you need to surrender a dog or cat, please read all of the information on this page carefully and complete the Dog or Cat Surrender Profile. Profiles must be submitted via email, mail, or in person at our shelter. Once we receive your surrender profile we will review it and contact you within 5 days with any additional questions and to let you know whether or not our Adoption Program will meet your pet's particular needs. We do ask that you make a donation at the time of surrender to help provide for the care of your animal while awaiting adoption. There is no set donation fee - any amount you can give is deeply appreciated!

DOWNLOAD - DOG SURRENDER PROFILE
Email completed profile to cburke@capeannanimalaid.org, send via mail or drop off in person.

DOWNLOAD - CAT SURRENDER PROFILE
Email completed profile to info@capeannanimalaid.org, send via mail or drop off in person.