Surrender Your Pet

Before Surrendering Your Pet

We understand that life circumstances can change and that may lead to the difficult decision of surrendering your pet. Shelters can be stressful environments for pets, so before you bring your pet to a shelter, please consider the following options:

1. Contact who helped you get your pet (previous owner, rescue, or shelter) to see if they might be able to help you rehome them.
2. Reach out to friends and family to see if anyone is able to take ownership of the pet.
3. Contact a trainer and behaviorist for advice to help with common behavior problems.
4. Contact your veterinarian to rule out any medical issues that your pet may have. If cost is a challenge, here is a list of low-cost veterinarians that you can contact.

Visit our Resources page for behavior support tips, low-cost service options, and more.

If you have exhausted all other options, you can surrender your pet at Denver Animal Shelter (1241 W. Bayaud Ave. Denver, CO 80223). We accept all animals from residents of the City and County of Denver. No appointment is required, and there is no relinquishment fee. We do ask that you bring any proof of ownership in the form of veterinarian records, adoption paperwork, microchip information, etc. This will decrease the pet’s length of stay at the shelter.

We also ask that you fill out a pet surrender form (below) for your pet. This helps our team ensure we make the best decisions for your pet's future.