Surrendering a Pet
Deciding to surrender your pet can be very emotional and difficult for both you and your pet. Arlington Animal Services would like to make that decision and the surrender process as easy as possible. Our first priority is to help you find a way for your pet to remain a member of your family.
Before you decide to relinquish your pet, reevaluate your situation. Please consider the following alternatives to surrendering your pet:
Alternatives to Surrendering Your Pet
Arlington Animal Services Rehoming Packet
Why are you surrendering your pet?
Surrendering Your Pet
Arlington Animal Services must inform all pet owners that the shelter cannot guarantee your pet will be placed into our adoption or rescue program. There is a possibility that the pet will be humanely euthanized and we strongly encourage all pet owners to read and exhaust all options before surrendering your pet to the shelter. Before deciding to surrender your pet, we ask that you reevaluate your situation and consider other alternatives. Is there a friend or family member who would accept your pet? Have you tried contacting a private rescue organization about taking your pet? The shelter environment can be stressful and overwhelming for pets. We ask that you please read the alternatives to surrendering your pet which are provided above.
An appointment is required for all owners wishing to surrender their pet. If you wish to proceed with scheduling an appointment to surrender your pet, please review all information below.
- You must provide proof of Arlington residency on a valid driver's license or government issued ID. If your ID does not provide your current Arlington residency, you must provide a utility bill or housing rental contract. A valid driver's license or government issued ID is required to surrender your pet.
- You must be over the age of 18 years.
- You must be the sole owner of the pet.
- If you have exhausted all other options and wish to continue with scheduling an appointment to surrender your pet, please complete the appropriate Owner Surrender Relinquishment Form (provided below) and email [email protected] to schedule an appointment to surrender your pet. (Please include the completed surrender form and all medical records for your pet in this email.)
Owner Surrender Fee: The City of Arlington charges a $25.00 owner surrender fee. The fee is utilized to offset the cost of housing and care for pets placed in our care, which can range between $28.00 - $41.00 per day. The fee does not apply to a litter of unweaned animals, when accompanied by the nursing mother. The owner surrender fee also does not apply to citizens delivering to the Animal Services Manager animals found running at-large within the territorial limits of the City of Arlington.
Arlington Animal Services tries to find homes for every suitable animal entering our shelter, but we can never guarantee the placement of any animal. For this reason, we ask that you use Arlington Animal Services as a last resort, after you have exhausted all other attempts to find your pet an alternative suitable permanent home. The transfer of ownership to the City of Arlington is final and irrevocable once the animal has been surrendered.
More Information
Contact [email protected] and a team member will respond as soon as possible. Click here for additional information.