Pets are given up for a number of reasons: behavior problems, unwanted litters, a move to no pet housing, allergies, aggressive behavior and financial concerns, just to name a few.  MHS seeks to help keep animals in loving homes by providing pet guardians with the help they need and urging them to exhaust other options before considering the surrender of an animal.  Fortunately, there are more alternatives than ever to relinquishing your pet.  However, MHS understands that there are times when keeping a pet is just not possible.

Surrender Quick Links > Alternatives to Consider > Our Policy > Owned Surrenders > Stray Surrenders > Surrender Fees > Placement > Rehoming Your Pet > Make Your Pet Adoptable > Pet Overpopulation > Community Solutions

If you are thinking about surrendering your dog, cat or other companion animal, please first consider utilizing the following resources: Frustrated with a pet behavior issue?  Free assistance is available by phone or email through MHS' Behavior Help Line.   Check out MHS' dog and cat behavior tips on many common issues such as litter box problems, scratching, chewing, digging and more. Finding "pet friendly" apartments can take a little more time, but today there are many options for people with pets.  Try visiting one of many websites tailored to the needs of pet guardians, such as peoplewithpets.com, which save you time by allowing you to search for "pet friendly" apartments in various communities, in your target price range, with the amenities you specify. Cat allergies are a common problem.  The good news is that today, MHS or your pet's veterinarian can recommend many helpful products and tips to "lose" the allergies, rather than your cat.  Check with friends or relatives who may be able to provide your companion animal with responsible, loving home. Try contacting a breed rescue group if your dog is a purebred. Open door policy: Should you ultimately decide to surrender your pet, the Michigan Humane Society will not turn away your pet for any reason including potential adoptability or cage space. Owned animal surrenders: Please allow at least 30 minutes for the intake process, more if there is a line.  Please be prepared to provide as much information as possible regarding the animal including vaccinations, spay/neuter status, behavior, training, likes and dislikes, and other information that might help MHS rehome your pet appropriately. Stray animal surrenders: If you find a stray, please make every effort to bring him or her to the local animal control for the area in which you found the animal.  This will help ensure the best possible chance of the pet being reunited with his or her guardian who may already be calling or visiting that shelter. Surrender fees: While a surrendering fee is not required, your donation allows MHS to continue to care for the 100-plus animals we receive on a daily basis.  Donations of food, crates, pet carriers and other supplies are also greatly appreciated and are tax deductible. Placement:  The Michigan Humane Society makes every effort to place healthy, friendly animals in new, loving homes.  However, we cannot guarantee rehoming of your surrendered pet.  The placement of an individual dog, cat or other animal for adoption at our adoption centers is based on an evaluation of his or her health and temperament, as well as available cage space. Once we place an animal up for adoption, there is no time limit in which he or she can remain up for adoption. Rehoming your pet: Before surrendering a pet to a shelter, MHS recommends first trying to find a suitable home for your pet by spreading the word among friends, relatives and co-workers.  Post your pet on Petfinder.com.  Give yourself a few weeks to place the animal in a good home and never give away your pet to someone without screening the person/home carefully and asking for references.  Please do not give your pet away "Free to a Good Home" as there are unscrupulous individuals who could harm your pet or sell the animal for research to make money.  Asking a reasonable fee may help deter such people. Making your pet as adoptable as possible: Unsterilized pets are more likely to be surrendered due to related health or behavior (aggression, marking, roaming, etc.) reasons, or because they produce "unwanted" litters.  By ensuring your pet is neutered or spayed, you may find you do not need to give him or her up, but if you do, it will be greatly beneficial in rehoming the pet either yourself or through a shelter.  MHS veterinary centers offer low sterilization fees.  Ensuring your pet is current on vaccinations will not only help keep him or her healthier in a shelter environment or new home, but will also make him more appealing to a potential adopter.  Groom or bathe your pet.  Consider pet training which will make him or her more adoptable, and may even allow you to keep your pet. The pet overpopulation problem: An estimated 3-4 million dogs and cats are euthanized each year in our country.  Because there are more unwanted pets than available homes, each new litter of puppies, kittens, rabbits or other animals leads to the euthanasia of animals already waiting patiently for new homes. Community solutions: With the community's support, MHS will continue to make a growing impact on the largely preventable tragedy of companion animal overpopulation and euthanasia through low-cost sterilization initiatives, adoptions, legislative advocacy and other programs. For more information including how you can help prevent animal homelessness, call the Michigan Humane Society at 1.866.MHUMANE (weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.).