Surrendering a Pet

🐾We understand that sometimes life circumstances change, and you may be faced with the difficult decision to rehome your pet. Our team is here to help guide you through this process with honesty, compassion, and transparency — always keeping the safety and well-being of every animal as our top priority.

📋 Important Information
Dubois County Humane Society is a limited-admission facility, meaning we only take in the number of animals we can responsibly and safely care for at one time.
We do not euthanize for space or time constraints, but this also means we cannot accept every animal immediately.
We often have a waiting list for several weeks, especially for cats.
We mainly accept owner surrenders from Dubois County residents or pets originally adopted from DCHS. Out of County intakes are accepted on a case by case basis. 
If your pet was adopted from another shelter or rescue, you are required to return them to that organization in accordance with your adoption agreement.
We are unable to accept feral cats for adoption, however:

• We do provide veterinary care through our TNVR (Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return) program for community cats.
• When possible, we also offer barn cats for adoption through our working cat program, helping sterilized outdoor cats find safe, managed placements.

We cannot accept small mammals or wildlife, but we’re happy to help connect you with local rescues that specialize in their care.

⚠️ Before You Submit the Surrender Form
Submitting a Surrender Request Form does not guarantee intake.
This form is the first step for us to review your situation and determine if, when, and how we can help.
Please understand the following:

• 🐶 A behavior assessment may be required before any surrender is approved.
• ⏳ Submitting a form does not automatically place your pet in line for intake.
• 💬 After submitting your form, please email us to ask what number you are in line and to receive an estimated timeframe.
• ❤️ Completing the form does not commit you to surrendering your pet. It simply begins a conversation.
• 📨 Our team will contact you by email once your pet’s information has been reviewed and space allows for an intake appointment.

Our goal is to ensure each animal receives the time, care, and resources they need to thrive — and that we never exceed our ability to provide quality care.

🧭 Alternatives to Surrender
Before making the decision to surrender, we strongly encourage you to explore every possible alternative. Most pets prefer to stay with their families, even through difficult times, and we may be able to help you find a solution.

• Behavioral Issues?
  Try Good Pup — a convenient, affordable online training platform that can help address behavior challenges right from your home.
• Financial Hardships?
  Visit our Pet Food Assistance Shed, located at the entrance of our parking lot.
  We’re happy to provide temporary food and supply support to help keep your pet at home.
• Surrendering a Litter?
  The mother must be spayed as part of surrendering a litter. Schedule her surgery through our Spay/Neuter Clinic.
  A spay appointment date is required when completing your surrender form.

📝 Next Steps

1. Complete the Surrender Request Form below.
2. After submitting, email us to confirm receipt and ask what number you are on the waiting list.
3. Wait for a DCHS representative to contact you as space allows.
4. If approved, you may be asked to bring your pet for a behavioral evaluation before intake is scheduled.

Submitting the form does not guarantee intake, and you are not obligated to surrender your pet after completing it.
We truly appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to help as many animals as possible — responsibly and compassionately.

Surrender a dog

Surrender a cat