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The staff and volunteers of MVHS realize that the decision to re-home your pet can be a very difficult one. We have prepared this webpage in order to provide you information on the options that you have.
Before you decide.....
When you need to re-home...
- Return your pet to the shelter you adopted from. Most organizations wish to know if an animal they adopted needs to find a new home. Some organizations require that you return animals to them. If you adopted from an area shelter or rescue, please contact them first.
- Return your pet to their breeder. If you obtained your pet from a reputable breeder, they will take back their animal.
- Enroll your pet in the MVHS P.A.W.S. Program This program allows you to use the resources of the Minnesota Valley Humane Society to find your pet a new home, while the animal remains in your house. This program is ideal for people who must find their pet a new home, have no time restraints, and want to be involved in the process.
- Surrender the animal to the Minnesota Valley Humane Society. MVHS is an open admission shelter serving the Twin Cities. You can learn about our surrendering process here.
Surrendering an Animal to MVHS
The staff and volunteers of MVHS realize that the decision to surrender your pet can be a very difficult one. We have prepared this Frequently Asked Questions list to provide you with more information on the surrender process.
Who can surrender an animal?
MVHS will accept any owner-surrendered animal, regardless of where they live. You must be 18 years of age and have had the animal in your custody for at least 5 days.
What animals can MVHS take?
We are able to accept dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, birds, ferrets, rabbits and other small mammals. Pitbulls or predominantly pitbull mix dogs are accepted, but the fee may be higher. We cannot take wildlife, reptiles or other exotic pets. MVHS is not a designated quarantine facility, and therefore cannot accept any animal that has bitten and broken the skin in the last 10 days. Since MVHS can only accept strays from certain cities, please call before bringing in a stray animal.
When can I come in to surrender an animal?
MVHS is open for surrender seven days a week. Our surrender hours are Tuesday through Friday: 12noon to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday: 11am to 5pm. No appointment is needed. We are closed on Mondays and major holidays.
What should I bring when I surrender?
Along with your pet, you will need to bring a valid photo ID. We also recommend that you bring current vet records, AKC papers, or other paperwork you may have about your animal. This information may be used while caring for your pet while at our facility. You may bring items such as toys, bed or other supplies. MVHS tries to send relevant paperwork and supplies to your animal’s new home, but we do not guarantee that this will happen.
How much does it cost to surrender?
MVHS spends an average of $200 for each animal surrendered, therefore we charge a surrender fee to offset our costs. The required surrender fees are as follows:
Dogs, cats, puppies, kittens
ferrets, rabbits, chinchillas,
and large breed birds |
$35 each |
Guinea pigs, small mammals, small birds
and litters of three more puppies or kittens |
$15 each |
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3 or more small mammals or small birds |
$5 each |
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Pitbulls and predominately pitbull mix dogs |
$35 if sterilized
$100 if unsterilized |
These fees are mandatory and are not tax-deductible. Keep in mind, our surrender fees only cover approximately 15% of the cost of caring for each animal we accept. Donations are encouraged. We accept cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. MVHS depends on our service fees and the generosity of our community to care for the animals.
What if I am bringing back an animal I adopted from MVHS?
Although we will always take an animal back, we ask that you first consult with our Shelter Manager before returning an animal. MVHS has several resources to help you through any adjustment period. If a veterinarian has found the animal to have a medical problem within 14 days of adoption, MVHS will issue you a credit. You must bring all of your original paperwork to receive a credit. MVHS does not issue cash refunds for its animals. If you have had the animal for more than 14 days, or if you are bringing it back for anything other than a medical reason, it is up to the discretion of MVHS staff whether or not to issue a credit. Since we are not affiliated with any other humane society, we cannot issue credits or refunds for animals adopted elsewhere.
What happens to my animal after it is surrendered?
Most animals are initially evaluated within 24 hours. They are examined for health, age, and temperament. After this evaluation, there are several options:
Adoption
An animal determined to be adoptable would be sterilized, if needed, and placed on our adoption floor. Our adoption areas are cleaned daily, and the animals are fed a mix of high-quality food. All animals are given attention daily by staff and volunteers. The dogs are exercised outside several times a day. Basic health care is provided by MVHS staff and volunteer veterinarians during its stay, MVHS does not have time limits. An adoptable animal will remain on the adoption floor as long as it remains healthy and not aggressive. The average stay is 12 days.
Observation
When space and time permit, an animal may be held at MVHS for observation of health or behavior issues before a final decision is made.
Euthanasia
If an animal has severe health or behavior concerns, MVHS will humanely euthanize it. MVHS uses lethal injection. We do not use a gas chamber. Animals are held by staff during their final moments. Animal remains are appropriately disposed of by an outside company. We do not offer euthanasia as a service.
For more information about euthanasia, please read our Euthanasia FAQ
Other options
At times, MVHS will utilize the services of breed-placement (rescue) groups or other animal welfare groups to help place animals. These organizations are also strained for resources and struggle with difficult-to-place animals and cannot always help. We also provide dogs to be trained for work with law-enforcement agencies and people with disabilities. We never allow animals to go to testing laboratories.
Can I find out what happened to the animal I surrendered?
No. It is MVHS policy to not release any information regarding the final disposition of any animal. Please do not call asking what has happened to your pet. You will not be given this information. Staff and volunteers can only discuss animals that are currently on the adoption floor. These animals are also listed on our website.
Can I come back and get the animal I surrendered?
If the animal you surrendered is on the adoption floor, you may be able to reclaim it. Please call first and identify yourself as the former owner. Only the person who surrendered the animal can reclaim it— not a friend or family member. The charge to reclaim depends on the time the animal has spent at MVHS and the amount of care it has received. You may have the option to adopt the animal if the adoption fee is less. Your surrender fee cannot be applied towards the cost of reclaim or adoption. MVHS requires all adopted and reclaimed animals to be sterilized within a designated time frame. We reserve the right to refuse any adoption or reclaim.
Can I visit the animal I surrendered?
MVHS is open to the general public, and cannot prohibit you from visiting our facility. However, keep in mind that your animal may be stressed by these unfamiliar surroundings and your presence may make things worse since it cannot understand what is happening. We ask that you do not come to walk your dog or spend time with your cat or small animal.
Do I have other options to re-home my animal?
Yes. Enroll your pet in the MVHS Pet Adoption Without Surrender (P.A.W.S.) program. This will allow you to use MVHS resources to find your pet a new home, while the animal remains in your house. This program is ideal for people who must find their pet a new home, have no time restraints, and want to be involved in the process.
You may also choose to return your pet to the shelter you adopted from or its breeder. Most wish to know if an animal they adopted needs to find a new home. Some require that you return animals to them.
Will I be able to adopt another pet in the future?
MVHS does not necessarily prohibit people who have surrendered in the past from adopting again. If you choose to adopt from MVHS, you will be asked for a photo ID and you will need to complete an adoption application. Please be honest when filling out this form. We do keep a database of surrenders, and we will review your reasons for surrender at the time of adoption. MVHS makes this database available to other animal agencies that may or may not prohibit adoption to anyone who has surrendered in the past. MVHS will not adopt to people suspected of animal mistreatment.
When should I consider getting another pet?
Every individual is different, and every animal is surrendered for a different reason. MVHS staff and volunteers would be happy to discuss with you the possibility of adopting another pet. Please be aware that all animals need a great amount of time, patience and love to be a happy addition to your household. MVHS has handouts and classes about finding the pet that is right for you, as well as avoiding or eliminating the issues that led you to surrender your last pet. We strongly encourage you to attend one of our free Pet Parent Classes before bringing home a new pet.
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