If You Cannot Care For Your Pet

Most shelters accept pets brought in by owners who can no longer care for their pet, provided the owner lives within the region served by the shelter; fees may apply. The standard holding period for stray animals to be reclaimed does not apply to owner-surrendered pets, who may not be held long enough to be adopted prior to euthanization. Some rescue operations accept owner-surrendered pets, allowing the pets to be adopted; see Adoption and Rescue, Pet Assistance and Shelters.