Pet Surrender – Options Before Surrendering Your Pet

According to reports, the Arizona Humane Society is seeing 400 to 500 pet surrender applications per month and wants pet owners to know how they can get help before taking that option. As a vet, I believe that owning a pet is a lifetime commitment, but I’m mature enough to know that sometimes there’s no alternative to surrendering an animal…but often there are options that pet owners are unaware of.

While the surrender stats are overwhelming, people are being affected by financial hardship, leaving them to believe that pet surrender is the only option. When pet owners believe they have exhausted every resource or have hit a major obstacle that they can’t overcome, they turn to surrender or attempt to rehome their pet.

According to the Arizona Humane Society, population growth, an unstable real estate and rental market, evictions, and expensive pet care were all factors that led to more than 22,000 animals being taken in by the shelter in 2024 –  the most in more than a decade. The shelter is projecting to bring in approximately 2,000 more animals in 2025 than 2024.

But pet owners need to know that there are a number of resources available before they have to go through the emotional process of giving up a beloved pet.

The first option is to call the shelter first – 602.997.7585 – to hear what those options are before going to the last-resort solution of surrender. Shelters are already overcrowded, so helping people come up with solutions to keep their family together is in everyone’s best interest…not least the pet.

The AZ Humane Society Can Help You Keep Your Pet

The Arizona Humane Society’s pet resource center answers approximately 100,000 calls or requests a year, not only from people who find distressed or lost pets but also from people in difficult situations looking to keep their pets. The Human Society is dedicated to keeping pets in homes and understands everyone can experience hardships. They have two surrender prevention programs – Project Home Away From Home and the Bridge the Gap Program. Pet owners can find resources online.

The shelter can point pet owners in the right direction to help them find low cost or free veterinary care, as well as to pet food pantries. In addition, they can help pet owners find pet-friendly housing and even help pet owners with personal issues find resources such as counseling.

If you are struggling with your animal(s), reach out to the Arizona Humane Society as soon as you think you have a situation brewing. It’s always better to try and address a problem early, as opposed to getting to the point where you have exhausted all of your options.

I just want pet owners to be aware of options should they find themselves in a difficult situation with regard to keeping their pet.

Contact Compassionate Animal Care Today

Call 480.774.6995 to schedule your next veterinary appointment with Compassionate Animal Care in Queen Creek today.