How to Rehome Your Pet

Sometimes, people find themselves in situations where caring for their pet(s) is no longer possible. Rehoming a pet can be an incredibly difficult decision, but we are here to support you the best we can with compassionate advice and resources.

Tips for Rehoming Your Pet (before contacting our Adoption Center):

  • Take Your Time: Finding the right home can take weeks or even months.
  • Increase Adoptability: Ensure your pet is spayed or neutered, up to date on vaccinations, and groomed as needed.
  • Spread the Word: Ask friends, family, and co-workers for help. Social media is also a great tool for reaching potential adopters.
  • Use Rehoming Tools: The Home to Home rehoming tool is a free, user-friendly platform that allows you to be more involved in finding a new home for your pet. Create a pet profile, and interested people can apply. (Please do NOT use Craigslist). [Visit Home to Home here]
  • Exercise Caution: When meeting potential adopters, choose a public location and ask questions to ensure your pet’s new home will be a good fit. (Some questions to consider: Are there other pets in the house? Have you had a similar pet before? Do you have experience training a dog? Have you established a relationship with a veterinarian? Do you have an appropriate living space for this type of pet? How many hours a day will the animal be left alone?)
  • Set Expectations: If you want to stay in touch with your pet’s new family, make this clear from the start.
  • Contact Rescue Groups: Reach out to breed-specific rescue organizations if applicable.
  • Never Abandon Your Pet: It is both cruel and illegal.
  • Need More Help? Contact our Pet Help Desk at 775.324.7773, ext. 200 for additional tips and support.

Please do NOT abandon your pet(s): Abandoning animals is illegal under Nevada law NRS 574.100 and can result in a fine of up to $1,000.

Alternatives to Surrendering Your Pet

We understand that keeping a pet isn’t always possible, and we’re here to offer compassionate advice and resources. Surrendering a pet is a difficult decision, so we encourage you to consider alternative rehoming options, such as reaching out to trusted friends or family. SPCA-NN may also be able to assist you in keeping your pet or finding other rehoming solutions. Before surrendering your pet, please explore the following resources:

*For additional information and/or assistance with any of these concerns, contact our Pet Help Desk at 775.324.7773, ext. 200.

If these resources do not address your situation, please review the process for surrendering your pet to SPCA-NN below.

What to Do If You Need to Surrender Your Pet

If You Adopted Your Pet from the SPCA-NN:

We understand that circumstances can change, and sometimes it’s necessary to surrender a pet. If you adopted your pet from the SPCA of Northern Nevada (SPCA-NN), you may return your pet to us during our normal hours of operation. We make a lifetime commitment to our animals and will always take them back, regardless of the situation. To help us better understand your pet, please complete the appropriate Pet Surrender Profile Form (Dog or Cat) and bring it with you when you visit the Adoption Center.

If You Did Not Adopt Your Pet from SPCA-NN:

If your pet was not adopted from SPCA-NN, surrendering them requires an appointment. We only accept cats and dogs not adopted from SPCA-NN by appointment. To schedule an appointment, you must first complete and submit the appropriate Pet Surrender Profile Form (Dog or Cat). *For other domestic animals, please contact the Nevada Humane Society.

 

Surrendering Your Pet to SPCA-NN

To surrender your dog or cat, the first step is to complete and submit a Pet Surrender Profile Form. You can download the form directly from this page, pick one up in person at SPCA-NN (4950 Spectrum Blvd., Reno, NV), or call our Help Desk at 775.324.7773, ext. 200 to have the form emailed to you.

Once you’ve completed the form, email it to us at info@spcanevada.org. Our team will review the profile, which may take up to one week. We will then contact you to schedule a handling assessment or inform you if we are unable to take your pet.

After your appointment, we will determine whether we can accept your pet. While we do not require a surrender fee, donations are appreciated to help cover the cost of care, which averages $800 per pet.

*Please note that we may not be able to accept your pet due to various factors, including available space, capacity for care, behavioral concerns, etc. If we cannot take your pet, we will do our best to refer you to other organizations that may be able to help.

You Can NOT Surrender A Pet That Is Not Yours

To surrender an animal to the SPCA of Northern Nevada, you must be the animal’s legal owner. *We require proof of ownership.