There are many reasons you may need to relinquish your pet and our staff will treat both you and your pet with compassion during this process.
Our Admissions Center is open daily, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for all pet relinquishments. Please keep the following in mind:
- Bring identification and proof of Jefferson County residency.
- Be prepared to sign a waiver releasing ownership rights to the pet.
- Be prepared to provide as much information about your pet as possible. Background information (including both health and behavior) is incredibly important for our staff as it prepares us with handling your pet and helps us communicate their history to potential adopters. You will be asked to compete a questionnaire in person with the assistance of a staff member. Save time by filling out the relinquishment questionnaire in advance below:
- Once you relinquish your pet, it will undergo standard medical and behavior testing so we can determine the best course of action – whether placement for adoption, transfer to a specialized rescue group or, compassionate euthanasia due to poor health and/or behavioral concerns.
- Please check-in with a team member before entering the building with any birds.
- We are unable to accept waterfowl birds, including ducks and geese.
Jefferson County Resident Relinquish Fees
As an open admission shelter, we ask for relinquishment fees. However, we will accept any animal regardless of the ability to pay the fee.
- Dogs and/or Puppies: $60
- Mother Dog with litter of puppies and/or pregnant: $80
- Cats and/or kittens: $40
- Mother Cat with litter of kittens and/or pregnant: $60
- Ferrets: $20
- Small Mammals: $25
- Other pets: Fees vary
- We are unable to accept live stock, barn-yard type, or wild birds at this time.
Out-Of-County Relinquish Fees
Please note relinquishing pets at your local County shelter will likely reduce the relinquish fee significantly. Dogs and cats are taken on a space-available basis. Due to housing limitations, we do not take certain animals from out-of-county as we do not have the resources to best meet their needs.
- Dogs and/or Puppies: $120
- Mother Dog with litter of puppies and/or pregnant: $160
- Cats and/or kittens: $100
- Mother Cat with litter of kittens and/or pregnant: $120
- Ferrets: $100
- Small Mammals: $50
- Other pets: $100+
- We are unable to accept live stock, barn-yard type, or wild birds at this time.
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