I have an animal : You Can't Keep Your Pet
Surrendering Your Pet
Releasing your pet to the Seattle Humane Society can be a difficult decision to make. We would like you to know that we understand how hard it can be to relinquish a beloved pet, and we appreciate your choice to surrender your animal responsibly so that he or she will be safe and humanely cared for.
Animal surrenders at the Seattle Humane Society are handled by our Admissions Department. An appointment is requried to surrender your animal. Please call (425) 649-7561 or email admissions@seattlehumane.org to schedule an appointment.
The Seattle Humane Society accepts any owner surrendered animals utilizing intake appointments to allow our staff and volunteers to collect as much information as possible about the incoming pet. For dogs it is usually possible to get an appointment immediately. For cats, there may be as much as a two week delay. The appointments are scheduled on a first-call basis and not on the age or desirability of the kitty. In the case of an emergency, animals will be admitted immediately. For hours and directions, go to our Visit Us page.
Please allow enough time to properly relinquish your pet. The admissions process may take 20 - 30 minutes during busy periods. We will request some background information about the animal and ask you to fill out a questionnaire. To save time, you are welcome to download our admissions questionnaires to complete at home. Please bring the appropriate questionnaire with you when you bring your animal to the Seattle Humane Society. Questionnaires cannot be accepted by mail.
Cat Admissions Questionnaire
Dog Admissions Questionnaire
Many unwanted animal behaviors can be corrected, enabling pets to successfully remain in the family. If you would like information about training or other solutions for keeping your pet, please call us at (425) 641-0080. We will be happy to assist you or refer you to others who can help.
We strongly advise that you include all members of your immediate family and/or household in your decision to release the animal prior to bringing your pet to our organization. We also ask that any veterinary health or vaccination records you may have be brought in with the animal. The owner releasing the pet must be 18 years of age or older and provide a Washington driver's license or other identification with photo.
As a private, nonprofit organization dependent on community contributions, we request a donation when an animal is admitted to us. The average cost per animal received is $205, although it is not required to contribute this full amount. All donations are greatly appreciated and help to offset a portion of the cost of caring for the thousands of animals we receive each year.
Admissions Callback Option
The Seattle Humane Society recognizes the decision to re-home your companion animal can be a difficult to make. In an effort to assist people having to make this decision, we've created a callback option. If we are unable to find appropriate placement for your companion animal, we will allow you the opportunity to reclaim your pet.
- With a minimum of $200 incoming contribution, we will give you the opportunity to come back to reclaim your pet if we are not able to place him. Litters under six months of age have a minimum of $250 incoming contribution per litter.
- Each animal will be initially assessed for medical and behavioral soundness. Many medical and behavioral issues are considered treatable and will not preclude the animal from participation.
- If we determine your animal is not a candidate for adoption or rescue, you will be notified of the reason, and will have 48 hours to reclaim your pet.
- We will provide as many resources as possible to you should you reclaim your pet. These will include referrals to animal behaviorists and educational materials regarding behavioral issues.
- If we do re-home your animal, the new owner's information is confidential, and will not be released to you.
- Your pet may be re-assessed during his stay at our adoption center and his status of adoptability may change. You may be notified some time after releasing the animal if this happens.
- If the animal becomes ill while in our care, we may contact you to ask if you can temporarily foster him until healthy. If you are unable to foster, the animal's callback status will change, and it is possible that he will be euthanized without your notification.
- If the animal is returned to you, spay/neuter, microchip and license fees, if applicable, will be charged to you prior to being released by the Seattle Humane Society.