Surrender an Animal

Surrendering a family member is not an easy choice to make. Learn about your options before you make the decision to surrender your pet.

Before you Start

If you have been looking for a new home for your pet and have been unsuccessful, or you need help keeping your pet in place, please visit our Keeping Your Pet In Your Home page for helpful tips.

If you originally adopted your pet from another shelter or rescue organization, please contact that organization before beginning this surrender process to see if they may take your pet back into their organization.

What to Do

How to surrender your pet

  1. Call to make an appoinment.

    Please call 510-535-5602 during business hours to schedule an appointment.

    You must be 18 yrs old or older, and be the legal owner and a resident of Oakland, to surrender your pet.

  2. Complete Pet Profile Questionnaire

    Providing detailed information about your pet will give us the best opportunity to find a new home.

  3. Pay Surrender Fee

    There is a fee, which can be paid in cash or by Visa or Mastercard.

Need to Know

We are direct and honest when people surrender their pets to us.  We evaluate each animal and take into consideration the animal’s age, temperament, behavior and health in order to determine which animals will be made available for adoption, transferred to another organization or should be humanely euthanized if too sick/injured or aggressive.

If you think it is time for your animal to be euthanized, please let us know.

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