Surrendering your dog or cat

Surrendering a pet is a very difficult decision. Please explore all options when considering surrender. Many undesirable behaviors can be corrected through training. Visit our Pet Resources page for links to helpful information. There are some organizations that can help with the cost of owning a pet such as pet food pantries and low-cost clinics. Please also be sure to check with family members and friends to see if they are able to give your pet a nice loving home.

If you have considered all options and would like to inquire about surrendering your pet to Heartland Animal Shelter, please fill out the dog or cat surrender forms, answering all the questions included. If you have questions please email us at info@heartlandanimalshelter.org. 

Please provide us with the information we need so we can spend our time helping to find a home for the pet(s). Thank you for your cooperation on this matter and again, please help us to help you!

Requirements

• You must be the actual owner of your pet to proceed.
• You must have an appointment to surrender your pet.
• The costs associated with helping to place dogs and cats are substantial (shelter, food, medical care, etc.). The suggested donation for surrendering is $150 for a dog and $100 for a cat.

If your pet was adopted from Heartland Animal Shelter:

• As stated in your adoption contract, Heartland must be given the first right of refusal and you must be given prior authorization by Shelter Management in order to surrender your pet back to the shelter.
• When submitting your inquiry, please include in the subject line: Adopted from Heartland.
• Please also note, that your pet should be current on all vaccinations as part of your adoption agreement.
• Please remember that Heartland is not an open intake shelter, meaning we have limited capacity at any given time. We will always take back pets adopted from us, but unless you feel your pet is an immediate danger we ask for your patience while we try to accommodate a space for your pet at the shelter or in a foster home.

If you did not adopt from Heartland Animal Shelter:

Please note that Heartland has limited capacity and can not guarantee we can accept your pet(s) due to this limitation. If your pet is not already spayed or neutered or needs vaccinations, please do so.

Visit Pet Resources and click on Pet Financial Assistance Organizations for low-cost clinics in your area.

In the meantime, please continue to contact other no-kill shelters. Due to the high level of inquiries, you will be contacted if we are able to make arrangements to accept your pet at our shelter.