Surrendering your pet

Surrendering your pet can be a very 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 humanely cared for.

In order to surrender your animal to The Humane Society of Harford County, you MUST be a resident of Harford County. We are NOT able to accept surrendered animals from residents of other counties.

If you decide to surrender your pet to the Humane Society of Harford County, please provide as much information as possible about the animal including veterinary records. All information will help us to evaluate and care for your pet.

After your pet is surrendered, our qualified shelter technician staff will carefully evaluate your pet. The evaluation is based on a variety of factors, foremost of which are the animal’s health and temperament. Animals deemed adoptable will become available for adoption as soon as any needed vaccinations are given.

Your decision to give up a pet is final and irrevocable. By surrendering an animal, you forfeit all rights, title and interest in the animal to The Humane Society of Harford County. We cannot guarantee a home for every animal nor can we guarantee to keep any animal at the shelter for any specific period of time. If the animal is deemed to be adoptable we will do everything we can to find a loving new home for him/her.

Surrender fee

We request the following intake fee when surrendering one or more animals. Actual expenses to place a pet into a new home can often add up to hundreds of dollars. Your additional donation is appreciated.

• Dog or cat up-to-date on shots and sterilized: $45
• Dog or cat NOT up-to-date on shots or NOT sterilized: $75
• Dog/cat litters (mom plus up to 3 kittens/puppies) $75
• Each additional kitten/puppy $ 5
• Small Animals (birds, rabbits, hamsters, ferrets, etc.) $25
  We ask that all small animals be surrendered with cage, food, bedding, toys, etc.

• Barnyard animals (chickens, geese, ducks, roosters, etc.) $10
• Barnyard animals (goats, sheep, pigs, etc.) $50
• Large animals such as cows, llamas, horses, goats, etc. TBD

Please call 410-836-1090 x 113 to discuss specifics.

Other requirements

Please bring a photo ID (such as a driver’s license) with you. You must be 18 years or older to surrender an animal and you must provide proof of ownership (veterinary records, etc.).

Due to the high volume of calls we receive, we are unable to accept calls or release information regarding the final disposition of an animal.