We understand that surrendering your companion can be a very difficult time for you and your family. If you can no longer care for your pet, it is important that you research and understand what options you have available.
Many unwanted animal behaviors that lead to someone wanting to surrender a pet can be corrected. If you are considering re-homing your pet because of behavior issues and would like to consult with a professional trainer first, click here for a list of local trainers. We also have an online behavior resource library with information on my topics that you many find helpful in solving common behavior problems. SafeHaven is also available to try and help you find the necessary resources or services that may help you keep your pet.
If, after exhausting other options, you would still like to see if SafeHaven could help you find a new home for your pet, the first step is to complete the Personality profile for each pet you wish to surrender. Please fill out the questionnaire to the right. Someone from our intake department will review the questionnaire and reach out to you via email within a week to discuss next steps or options available.
Please note: SafeHaven Humane Society receives more requests than we have space to accommodate. Submitting this form does not mean we have agreed to accept or dog or cat. We will contact you to schedule an assessment appointment for an evaluation, which includes a brief behavior and health assessment. Medical records will be reviewed at that time and if the evaluation.
Although SafeHaven Humane Society has a no-kill philosophy, and we are dedicated to caring for, and finding loving, permanent homes for pets in our care, sometimes a shelter setting is not the best option for your pet. Pets who have a history of aggressive, unsocial behavior, or extremely shy or stressed meeting new people are not a good candidate for re-homing thru a shelter environment. SafeHaven would encourage you to find other re-homing options or visit our Home to Home information below and add your pet to the Home to Home website.
Please note that if you need to surrender your pet, there currently may be up to an 8 week wait for dogs due to the overwhelming number of dogs needing our help.
If it is determined that SafeHaven might be able to assist you in re-homing your pet, an intake appointment will be scheduled at that time. Please note, scheduling an intake appointment does not guarantee your pet will be accepted into SafeHaven’s adoption program, but it gives staff an opportunity to meet your pet and determine the best next steps for you and your pet.
All surrenders are by appointment only and we do not accept walk-in surrenders. Appointments will be scheduled once the pets Personality Profile has been reviewed.
If you need to return a dog or cat that you adopted from SafeHaven, we will offer you all the resources we can to help assist you with the process of re-homing.
If you have additional questions, please feel free to reach out to our intake department at 541-928-6280 or email [email protected]
Why is there a surrender fee?
During your pet’s stay with us we will provide the following to your pet; updated vaccinations, necessary surgeries such as spay/neuter, flea control, dewormer, microchip, dental cleaning if necessary, and lots of love and attention by both staff and volunteers while in our care.
For this reason, SafeHaven helps cover the costs of caring for your animal while we work to find them a home with surrender fees.
We are more than happy to help answer any of your questions during this time. Please call our Intake Department at 541.928.6280 or email [email protected] for more information to make a surrender appointment.
Dogs & Puppies:
Unfortunately, SafeHaven Humane Society does not hold the county contract for animal control, the Linn County Sheriff’s Department does, so all stray dogs and puppies need to be taken to Linn County Animal Services. SafeHaven has a partnership with Linn County and when possible, and space allows, we will help place adoptable dogs thru our adoption programs. To contact Linn County Animal Services call 541-967-3925.
Cats & Kittens:
There are no services for stray cats or kittens through Linn County Animal Services. Due to this, SafeHaven makes every effort to help as many stray cats and kittens as we have space or foster families for. Please note, that we can offer food or other resources for feral stray cats but we can not house feral cats or place them thru our adoption programs. Please complete the stray form to the right and we someone from our intake department will contact you when space is available. While we will not ask for an intake fee for stay cats/kittens we would encourage you to make a donation towards their care if you are able.
We do our best to ensure pets have the best possible stay here with us at the shelter. Despite our efforts, shelters are undoubtedly a stressful place for most animals. That’s why we’ve partnered with Home To Home™. Home To Home™ allows pets to find new homes without having to enter the shelter. We understand that needing to find a new home for a pet is sometimes a difficult reality. Home To Home™ allows pet guardians to find the best fit for their pet and provides the opportunity for adopters to know all about their personality and preferences first-hand from the original guardian.
Home To Home™ is free for both guardians and adopters, and helps keep pets out of shelters through direct home placement. To learn more, visit our Home To Home™ website.