We realize there are times when owners can no longer care for their pet and we know how difficult a decision surrendering your pet can be. We are here to help you with the process of re-homing your pet.
If you have a pet you can no longer care for, please call us at 970.226.3647 ext. 0 first to discuss your situation. Re-homing your pet is not an easy choice to make and we are here to help you with the process.
If you’re surrendering your pet due to a behavior concern, explore our online help sheets and/or consider seeking the guidance of an animal behaviorist or trainer.
If you are confident in your decision to surrender your pet, complete our dog surrender form or cat surrender form or download the dog surrender PDF or cat surrender PDF. This can be done at the shelter or from the comfort of your own home.
As an independent, not-for-profit organization, we ask for a $30 pet relinquishment fee. No pet will be turned away for due to an owner’s inability to pay. This relinquishment fee helps us care for nearly 6,000 animals each year. Surrender fees vary for exotics, fish, and farm animals.
To schedule an appointment to surrender your animal, please click below or call 970-530-2970.
What to bring
- A completed dog surrender form or cat surrender form (If you have not yet completed one, we will provide one to you at the shelter to complete.)
- Your pet’s vaccination and medical records
- Information about your pet’s likes, dislikes, and daily habits
- Information about your pet’s compatibility with other dogs, cats, and children
- If the pet had an owner prior to you, as much information on the pet’s history as you know
- A current ID (You must be 18 or older to surrender an animal.)
What to expect
When you relinquish your pet to Larimer Humane Society, your animal will be immediately vaccinated upon intake. Soon after, your pet will be evaluated for potential placement in our adoptions program. (Please note: We cannot guarantee that your pet will be placed for adoption or adopted from our facility. Other options we may consider for your pet include transfer to another shelter, placement with a breed-specific rescue group, or humane euthanasia.)
All animals are evaluated prior to placement into our adoption program to ensure they are appropriate adoption candidates. This process includes:
- Veterinary evaluation – All cats and dogs are examined to identify any potential health concerns such as illnesses or injuries. Prior to placement for adoption, intact cats and dogs are spayed or neutered, dewormed, vaccinated, and microchipped.
- Behavior evaluation – Behavior and temperament for each cat and dog are evaluated to ensure animals are safe and appropriate to be placed into a new home. Any behavioral concerns or specific needs are identified and noted through this process (i.e., cat does best in homes without dogs, or best-suited for one-dog household) to set the animal up for his or her best chance at success.
