Surrender Your Pet

Criteria to surrender your animal to Des Moines County Humane Society.

We understand that sometimes despite best efforts it is necessary to surrender your animal. In this case, we feel the best solution is for Des Moines County Humane Society to take the animal and find them a new, loving home.

Based on urgency and shelter space availability, Des Moines County Humane Society does take in animals surrendered by their owners. Please understand that because we have very limited resources, it's necessary for us to prioritize the animals we take into rescue.  Please be patient with us and we will do our best to work with you to ensure the safety and well-being of your animal.

Surrendering your pet to Des Moines County Humane Society is a permanent decision.

Des Moines County Humane Society knows that surrendering your animal is a very difficult decision, but sometimes - it is the only one to make. If you choose to surrender your animal, you'll be asked to complete a surrender contract. Your signature on this contract represents a permanent decision on your part. This legally binding contract gives full ownership of the animal to Des Moines County Humane Society. We do have a surrender fee of $40 to surrender your animal. This allows us to provide food, individual care, veterinary care and down the road, legally adopt out the animal to a carefully pre-screened 'forever' home.

Steps to surrender your animal

1

Apply

Complete the Surrender Form.

2

Review

Our Team will review your application to determine if we have an open kennel available and whether or not your animal is a fit for our rescue.

3

Our Decision

We will contact you to let know our decision.

After decision is made, we will

Make arrangements to get the animal

If it has been determined that your animal is a good fit for our organization, we will contact you to make arrangements to get the animal to the shelter and pay the $40 surrender fee.

If it not a good fit or we are too full to take we will try to find some other ways for you to be able to rehome your animal. Or you can try again in the future if we have more kennels open.

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