Surrendering Your Pet - Gulf Coast Humane Society in SWFL
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Surrendering Your Pet

We understand that the decision to surrender your beloved pet is one of the most difficult and heartbreaking choices you may ever have to make. Life can sometimes present us with unexpected challenges that make pet ownership seem impossible, and we want you to know that you’re not alone in this struggle. We are here to provide a safe haven for your pet and to offer support and understanding during this trying time. Whatever circumstances have led you to this point, please remember that seeking help is an act of love and responsibility.

The following GCHS resources are available for you to consider before surrendering your cherished companion:

  • Food Insecurity: We offer pet food and supplies  7 days per week.   Click here for more information.
  • Behavioral Issues: Our dog trainer offers cost-effective training.  For more information, click here.
  • Medical Concerns: We offer affordable veterinary wellness services and spay neuter surgeries.  Click here for more information.

If keeping your pet is impossible at this time, we are here to assist you in navigating the surrender process with care and consideration.

Please continue reading the information below, then complete the Pet Surrender Form.  If you are unable to attached vet records or a photo to the form, please send to: [email protected].

To surrender your dog, please click here to complete the surrender form.

To surrender your cat, please click here to complete the surrender form.

All animals are accepted only by appointment. Space for your pet is limited and depends upon the size and breed of your animal.  A Gulf Coast Humane Society team member will be in touch with you to schedule an appointment to meet your pet(s).

Rehoming while waiting for your appointment
Once you submit your surrender application online, we kindly ask that you take an active role in trying to rehome your pet while waiting for your evaluation appointment, as this process can take several weeks.

Before sending you a scheduling link, we will verify that you have registered your pet with Home to Home, a direct rehoming service designed to empower you to find a new home for your pet.

Through Home to Home, your pet will be promoted on their website, and a link will be provided on our website for individuals searching for dogs and cats to adopt. This approach is a win-win, helping keep animals out of the shelter while placing them directly into new homes.

Please note: During the surrender appointment, we will examine your pet(s) and perform a temperament test and kennel assessment.  If we are unable to handle your pet(s) or they do not acclimate well to the kennel environment, we may be unable to accept them.

Fees
Cats $50, Dogs Spayed/Neutered $75, and Dogs not spayed/neutered $100.

The Gulf Coast Humane Society requires a surrender fee to help subsidize the cost to care for and re-home pets(s).  The fee is non-refundable and collected at the time of surrender.

We are a private, non-profit organization that does not receive government funding. We are also not affiliated with any national humane organizations.

There are additional rehoming options below.

If you found a stray animal and need to surrender it, contact the appropriate county domestic animal services.  Per county ordinance, we can only take pets that belong to the owner.

As a limited admission shelter, we encourage you to explore alternative options for rehoming your pet(s) by reaching out to friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and other adoption shelters and organizations.  Websites like Home To Home and AdoptAPet can also be valuable resources for finding new homes for your pet(s).  

If you adopted your pet from a shelter or rescue, you may want to check with them first about rehoming your pet to them.

For additional alternate pet surrender and adoption agencies, please click here.