Surrendering a Pet

Finding Your Pet a New Home

The Baltimore Humane Society understands that circumstances may arise that cause pet parents to rehome their companions. We strongly encourage you to explore the possibility of finding your pet a new home through the Petco Foundation’s online rehoming service called Adopt-A-Pet.com. On this site, you can fill out a profile about your pet, and families looking to adopt can review it. Potential adopters will fill out an application, pay a small adoption fee to Adopt-A-Pet (that will later be donated to a shelter) and then a meeting will be coordinated.

We have put together a list of tips to rehome your pet, as well as some strategies and resources on how to deal with common issues and situations that cause owners to consider surrender.

If the alternative resources do not address the circumstances you are facing, you will find the guidelines for surrendering an animal to the Baltimore Humane Society at the bottom of the page.

Tips to Safely Re-Home Your Pet

The following are a few simple tips to try and re-home your pet before bringing them to a shelter.

Rehome by Adopt-a-pet.com and the Petco Foundation

Use Rehome.adoptapet.com

Trusted. Safe. Secure. Adopt-a-Pet.com is a trusted non-profit organization and their dedicated team of pet experts are there to support you through the entire rehoming process. Learn More

Cat and dog curled up together on a pet bed

Increase Their Adoptability

Increase their adoptability by having them spayed or neutered, groomed, and up-to-date on their vaccinations.

Young girl whispering in young boy's ear

Spread the Word

Increase your pet's chances of finding the right home by telling your friends, family and co-workers and asking them to do the same.

A collection of pocket watches

Give Yourself Time

Give yourself time to re-home your pet. It can often take weeks to months to find them the best home.

Considering Surrendering Your Pet?

Behavioral Issues

First, talk to your vet about the issue. Many behavioral problems, such as litterbox issues, may actually be the result of a medical problem.

Is your pet spayed or neutered? This simple procedure can have a dramatic impact on some behaviors, and there are low cost options available, including our own Spay/Neuter Center.

Consult with an animal behaviorist or trainer. Many classes and consultations are very inexpensive and have amazing results. Often times, behavioral problems can be resolved with a little patience and creativity.

You may also call us and ask to speak with one of our trainers, who may be able to offer assistance. Please call 410-833-8848 x200 or send an email to [email protected].

Financial Issues

The Baltimore Humane Society offers pet owner assistance through our Bmore Kind Pet Food Bank and our low cost Spay/Neuter & Vaccination Clinic.

Meals on Wheels Kibble Connection – A program of Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland for their clients is available in Baltimore City and County.


If you’re being faced with extraordinary veterinary expenses such as surgery, injury, illness, prescriptions, or other vet bills, here are resources that can potentially offer financial help (assistance is not guaranteed, please contact the organization for details):

Allergies / Medical

If someone in your home has been diagnosed with allergies by an allergist, carefully consider if you can live with or manage the symptoms. Children may outgrow pet allergies while others are able to manage their symptoms and keep their pet in their home.

The following have proven effective in managing pet allergies:

  • Minimize contact with the animal and create an area free of pets, such as the bedroom.
  • Vacuum and clean floors, walls, ceilings, and furniture on a weekly basis.
  • Place a high efficiency particulate air purifier (HEPA) in the home, in addition to filters on vents.
  • Enlist the help of non-allergy suffering family members to clean the litterbox and pick up after the pet.
  • Frequently wash clothing and bedding materials, including the pet’s bed.
  • Frequently bathe and groom the family pet.
  • Consider removing dander-attracting materials such as upholstered furniture and draperies; replace wall-to-wall carpeting with wood, tile, linoleum, or vinyl flooring that won’t harbor hair and allergen-causing molecules.

Additional treatments for pet allergies include:

  • Immunotherapy (allergy shots)
  • Steroidal and antihistamine nose sprays or medication
  • Or a combination of both approaches.

Consult with your physician and/or allergist to determine the best course of action for your family to live happily with your family pet.

Toxoplasmosis

Many expectant mothers question if they should give up the family cat due to concerns about toxoplasmosis. Because it’s difficult for cats to transmit toxoplasmosis to humans, a pregnant woman is generally unlikely to contract the disease from her pet cat. For more information, please review the following:

Pregnancy and Toxoplasmosis (HSUS)
Defining Toxoplasmosis, its Symptoms and Causes (Mayo Clinic)

Pregnant / New Baby

We’re happy to tell you that having a new baby doesn’t mean you have to give up your other baby. There is a lot of information out there, but here are some great resources to help you prepare so that your whole family can stay together during this exciting (albeit stressful!) time:

Preparing Your Dog for a New Baby (ASPCA)

Introducing Your Dog to Your New Baby (ASPCA)

Introducing Your Pet and New Baby (HSUS)

Toxoplasmosis

Many expectant mothers question if they should give up the family cat due to concerns about toxoplasmosis. Because it’s difficult for cats to transmit toxoplasmosis to humans, a pregnant woman is generally unlikely to contract the disease from her pet cat. For more information, please review the following:

Pregnancy and Toxoplasmosis (HSUS)
Defining Toxoplasmosis, its Symptoms and Causes (Mayo Clinic)

Moving / Housing

Moving with pets can often be a difficult process. Below, we have listed some resources for finding pet friendly housing for renters. It is our goal to minimize the number of animals surrendered to shelters due to an inability to find suitable housing that accommodates pets or certain breeds. Policies may change, so please contact the property owner to confirm current policies regarding pets.

Military Deployment

The organizations below are committed to helping service men and women find loving foster homes for their pets while they are on deployment.

Disaster / Emergency

We realize that there are many different obstacles a family can face that affect how and if they can continue to care for their pet. We can’t always be the solution, but want you to know the following resources are also available to you.

Disaster (fire, flood, etc.)

American Red Cross, Greater Chesapeake Region

Domestic Violence

These organizations will either directly or indirectly provide or find care for your animals while you are seeking help

Homelessness

Surrendering an Animal

If the alternative resources provided above do not address the circumstances you are facing, below are the guidelines for surrendering an animal to the Baltimore Humane Society.

The Baltimore Humane Society accepts pets by appointment only.

Guidelines

  • You must be the caregiver of the animal to submit the form, make an appointment and surrender the animal.
  • You will be asked to provide any and all medical/behavioral history and paperwork for your pet.
  • Unfortunately, there are some instances when we cannot accommodate certain animals due to age/medical/behavioral issues.

Waiting List

We often have a waiting list, but attempt to help each animal as we can. Since we do not euthanize for time or space, we may have animals here for a bit longer than other shelters. We help people as we can. As soon as space becomes available, we attempt to fill it immediately. In addition, please be mindful of the fact that there is limited space and we are trying our very best to find these pets the homes they deserve.

Regarding Stray Animals

Baltimore County law requires that persons who find or otherwise come into possession of a stray animal must turn the animal over to Baltimore County Animal Services within 24 hours. The Baltimore County Animal Shelter is the only shelter in Baltimore County that is authorized by law to hold lost animals for their owners. Baltimore Humane Society is not authorized to accept stray animals.

Return A Pet

If you originally adopted your pet from the Baltimore Humane Society, you do not need to submit a surrender form. Please contact us at 410-833-8848 Ext 2 or [email protected] to schedule your return appointment.

Surrender A Pet

To begin the process, complete and submit a relinquishment form for the pet you would like to surrender. Please select from the forms below:

I’d like to surrender my dog(s)

I’d like to surrender my cat(s)

I’d like to surrender my small animal(s)

  • PLEASE NOTE: Submitting this form is not a guarantee that we will be able to accept your pet. Intakes are done on a case-by-case basis, and can only be made after we meet your pet.
Surrender Fees
  • Small animals: $15
    Rabbits and unaltered Guinea pigs: $30

     

    Dog/puppy (single) / altered: $50
    Cat/kitten (single) / altered: $50

     

    Dog/puppy (single) / unaltered: $85
    Cat/kitten (single) / unaltered: $85
    Litters of kittens/puppies: $85

    Abandoning an animal is illegal!

    Abandoning an animal is illegal!

    Animals abandoned on the Baltimore Humane Society’s property are required by Baltimore County law to be turned over to Baltimore County Animal Services. Leaving an animal on our property (with or without information about the animal) is considered abandonment and the animal will be taken to animal control. Please call during normal business hours to arrange a surrender appointment.

    Please call 410-833-8848 x203/204 Monday from 9am-4pm, or Tuesday-Sunday from 9am-6pm to make an appointment.