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 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, Next-door, or Facebook Lost and Found pages to see if the pet is posted.

• 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 rescues will take back animals that they have adopted out.

• If you are able to foster YOUR PET until they are rehomed we do offer the creation of Community Courtesy Posts on our PetFinder account. You can also create an account and profile on the Adopt A Pet - Rehome website if you are interested in attempting to rehome your pet on your own!

• If you want to surrender your DOG or CAT 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.

  • For dog-training we recommend,

    • in the East Valley: Charliebar Boarding & Training

    • in the West Valley: JD’s Powerhouse K9 Bootcamp

  • For cat behavior assistance, we recommend the following online resources:

    • Jackson Galaxy

    • Feline Behavior Solutions

    • The Cat Behavior Alliance

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

• AZ Pet Pantry

• Pima County Pet Food Assistance

• Cause4Paws Pet Food Bank

• Chug Waggin Pet Food Pantry

• Southern AZ Animal Foodbank

• AZ Pet Project

• If you are seeking to surrender KITTENS that you discovered outside please review the Arizona Humane Society’s guide for dealing with feral and/or kittens discovered in the rough.

• If you are seeking to rehome a DOG or CAT that has not been SPAYED/NEUTERED please search online for low-cost sterilization options as soon as possible! Unsterilized pets are a major factor contributing our state's homeless pet population.  Please make an effort to be a part of the solution!

• If you are seeking to rehome your CAT because of allergies please take time to research the Purina ProPlan Live Clear Challenge.

• 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 complete and submit the form provided below. PLEASE NOTE: As a foster-based rescue, we are only able to provide placement for felines according to foster availability.