animal surrender

Deciding to surrender your dog or cat can be a difficult and emotional decision. Please be aware that because we are a foster-based rescue, so our ability to take your animal will depend on whether our approved fosters have space within their home.

Because we want every animal that we rescue to have the best start in life, we make sure they receive the best veterinary care and training. It will often cost us between $100 to $500 to make an animal ready for adoption. Please consider making a donation to offset this cost.

Before you request to surrender your pet, please consider the following:

  • If you originally adopted your pet from a shelter or rescue, even if it was out-of-state, please reach out to that shelter or rescue to find out more about returning your animal. Most reputable rescues or shelters will always take back animals that they have adopted out.

  • If you want to surrender your pet because of unwanted behavioral issues (inappropriate urination/defacation, aggression, etc.), FIRST speak to a veterinarian or trainer to determine if unwanted habits or behaviors can be remedied. Often issues like destruction of furniture or incessant barking can be resolved with cost-effective and easily available resources and tools.

  • If you want to surrender your pet because of financial strain, please take a moment to explore the following programs that provide temporary assistance to pet-parents in need:

 

  • If you want to surrender a litter of kittens that you originally discovered outside please review the Arizona Humane Society’s guide for dealing with feral and/or kittens discovered in the rough.

  • If you have found a dog or cat that is not wearing identification tags with working contact information please take it to a veterinary office or emergency animal clinic to be scanned for a microchip. Most vets will do this for you for free and without an appointment. Additionally, please check online resources like Craigslist, Nextdoor, or Facebook Lost and Found pages to see if the pet is posted.

  • If you desire to surrender your DOG to Desert Paws Rescue, we are currently unable to Intake dogs due to a shortage of Canine Fosters. If you are able to foster your dog while we assist with medical and adoption services, please email us at info@desertpawsrescue.org PLEASE NOTE: We require experience in fostering to provide this service and will need a reference to confirm your previous experience volunteering or fostering for another rescue or shelter.

  • If you desire to surrender your CAT to Desert Paws Rescue, please email info@desertpawsrescue.org and include the following details about your cat(s)/kitten(s):

    • Name

    • Date of Birth or Approximate Age

    • Spayed/Neutered Status

    • Vaccination Status

    • How did the cat(s)/kitten(s) come into your care?

    • Why are you seeking to surrender/rehome the cat(s)/kitten(s)?

    • Is the cat/kitten litter-trained?

    • Is the cat/kitten good with children, dogs, and other cats?

    • Additional details regarding the cat/kitten’s personality (for example: friendly?, affectionate?, playful?, skiddish?, fearful?, shy?, etc.)

    • Photos/Videos of the cat/kitten

    PLEASE UNDERSTAND that Desert Paws Rescue is an entirely volunteer and foster driven organization. This means that we can only take in cats and kittens when we have space available within our existing foster homes.

    It is our Policy that all Feline Intakes require a Behavior and Health Evaluation to assess the cat/kitten’s health and foster needs prior to intake.