Owner Surrenders
What if I need to find a new home for my pet?
It is best for your pet to go directly to their new family and never enter the shelter environment. An animal shelter can be very stressful for many pets, which can hinder them from being adopted into a new home quickly. At Catawba County Animal Services, we want what is best for your pet and we know you do, too.
Because of this, we strongly encourage you to try to rehome your pet with a new family before surrendering them shelter. You will be giving your pet the best chance at finding a new home and also saving the lives of shelter pets awaiting a new home. You are in control of your pet’s next chapter. As their owner, you know them best and can be their best advocate.
Thank you in advance for being part of the solution by helping us rehome your pet. We know this decision is difficult, but we are here to help you.
How to Rehome Your Pet
Visit Adopt-A-Pet, a national pet adoption website that advocates pet adoption and rehoming. Many citizens have had great success rehoming their pets with Adopt-A-Pet and have avoided relinquishing their pets to the Animal Shelter.
In the top left corner of the page, click “Rehome.” Follow the on-screen prompts to create a profile for your pet.
When creating your pet’s profile, here are some things to keep in mind:
Step 1: Photo
Have you ever heard the saying, “fell in love at first sight”? A great photograph can make or break a potential adopter’s interest in your pet. Make sure that your photograph is taken in good lighting, centered around their face, and showing them happy. It’s important to make sure that potential adopters are seeing your pet in a positive light.
- If possible, work with a friend or partner; it can be helpful to have a second person engaging your pet so you can take photos.
- Get down on your pet’s level! Being at eye level will give your photos the feeling of a portrait.
- For cats, if you have a toy that dangles, hold it near the camera to capture their attention. Alternatively, keys work!
Step 2: Description
Descriptions on Adopt-a-Pet are used to market your pet and get people interested in meeting them. This is not the time to describe every single issue or quirk that your pet may have, but more to capture your audience. The time to counsel them about potential issues or quirks the pet may have, is during a one-on-one conversation with potential adopters.
- Focus on your pet’s personality, think about what they love; whether that’s sleeping, eating, playing, or something they do that always makes you smile. Write about that.
- Make the first sentence interesting! Capture your audience.
- Make sure the potential adopter knows how they can meet your pet. Include your phone number or email so they can contact you directly.
- Don’t be afraid to use humor!
Step 3: Finding the Right Fit
You will want to include questions to ask potential adopters on your pet’s profile. As an example, we have listed some important questions to consider, but you can ask more questions than what is listed. These kinds of questions will help you get a feel for the potential adopter and if their living environment is right for your pet. Do not be afraid to ask questions such as:
- Do you own your home or rent?
- Are you okay with me calling your landlord?
- Do you have any other pets? Are they spayed or neutered?
- What vet do you use for medical needs or routine veterinary care?
- Why would you like to adopt this pet?
- If at any time you cannot keep this pet, what would you do?
Step 4: The Power of Social Media
If you are active on social media, it is important to use your pages to promote your pet. You may have friends and family in your social media network who would love to give your pet a new home or will share your posts with others. Don’t let those great photos and descriptions go to waste!
Don’t forget to let us know if you are having a hard time rehoming your pet. Simply email animalservices@catawbacountync.gov and we will be happy to assist you in any way we can. Make sure you put “Rehome my pet” in the subject line. Include your contact information, your pet’s information and some good photographs of your pet. One of our coordinators will try to assist you in the rehoming process.
Remember:
- Use your network – Reach out to friends, family members, co-workers and neighbors to see if anyone might be interested in your pet and ask them to pass it on to their friends, relatives, and co-workers. Email everyone you know and ask them to pass on the email to others. Using your network can often result in finding the right home for your pet - keeping your pet out of the shelter and going directly to another home, which is the best thing for your pet.
- Use social media and other venues to spread the word – Post a picture with a description of your pet on your social media pages, local bulletin boards, etc. Ask veterinarians or pet-related businesses if you can post flyers at their facilities.
Owner Surrenders – By Appointment Only
If your rehoming efforts have been unsuccessful and you choose to surrender your pet to us, please note our owner surrender requirements.
We can only accept animals from Catawba County. Proof of residency is required to surrender pets to Catawba County Animal Services.
Owner surrender appointments are required. To make an appointment, please submit an Owner Surrender Request Form. Once your form is submitted, your pet will be added to the surrender request list and you will be contacted by one of our staff members within a couple days to go over our surrender process.
Please bring the following with you to your appointment:
- All veterinary records
- Any medications your pet is taking
- Your dog or cat’s bedding (having something with their scent will make them less stressed)
- Any special toys or other belongings from home
Please e-mail us with any questions about surrendering an animal to us.