Sometimes the greatest gift you can give your pet, is the gift of a new home
- We recognize that this can be a difficult decision, and are here to help you through this process. Feel free to call us at 970.226.3647 ext. 0 and we are happy to discuss your situation with you.
- If surrendering your pet due to a behavior concern, explore our online help sheets and/or consider seeking the guidance of an animal behaviorist.
- As an independent, nonprofit organization, we ask for a $40 pet relinquishment fee ($5o for individuals that live outside of NOCO Humane’s Animal Protection & Control jurisdictions). Surrender fees vary for exotic pets, fish, and farm animals. No pet will be turned away due to an owner’s inability to pay. This relinquishment fee will help us care for more than 10,000 animals in the year to come.
(Scroll to bottom of page for an alternative option, allowing you to find a family for your pet independently)
Complete a surrender form
If you are confident in your decision to surrender your pet, please complete one of the forms below by selecting the type of pet you wish to surrender. Please note, you will also need to schedule an appointment below.
Please note: Our Weld Campus does not accept barnyard animals.
Additional information for surrendering your pet
What to bring
- A completed surrender form for your respective animal species (If you have not yet completed one, we will provide one to you at the shelter to complete.)
- Your pet’s vaccination and medical records
- Information about your pet’s likes, dislikes, and daily habits
- Information about your pet’s compatibility with other dogs, cats, and children
- If the pet had an owner prior to you, as much information on the pet’s history as you know
- A current ID (You must be 18 or older to surrender an animal.)
What to expect
When you relinquish your pet to NOCO Humane, your animal will be immediately vaccinated upon intake. Soon after, your pet will be evaluated for potential placement in our adoptions program. (Please note: We cannot guarantee that your pet will be placed for adoption or adopted from the facility. Other options we may consider for your pet include transfer to another shelter, placement with a breed-specific rescue group, or humane euthanasia). All animals are evaluated prior to placement into our adoption program to ensure they are appropriate adoption candidates. This process includes:
- Veterinary evaluation – All cats and dogs are examined to identify any potential health concerns such as illnesses or injuries. Prior to placement for adoption, intact cats and dogs are spayed or neutered, dewormed, vaccinated, and microchipped.
- Behavior evaluation – Behavior and temperament for each cat and dog are evaluated to ensure animals are safe and appropriate to be placed into a new home. Any behavioral concerns or specific needs are identified and noted through this process (i.e., cat does best in homes without dogs, or best-suited for one-dog household) to set the animal up for his or her best chance at success.
Rehome – a surrender alternative
Looking for a new home for your pet? Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com and The Petco Foundation may be an option for you. This is a no-cost, self-rehoming service where pet owners can create a profile for their pet, review applications from potential adopters, and coordinate meet-and-greets with potential adopters. These private adoptions take place without ever having to set foot in a shelter. Please note, NOCO Humane is not affiliated with Rehome and does not facilitate the adoption process for pets available through this program. We make this information available to you as an alternative to surrendering your pet.
