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Surrendering a PetSURRENDERING A PET
Our Surrender Process
Tails of Hope accepts owned domestic animals surrendered by Rutland County residents, without fees. Every surrender request is reviewed individually — we assess each animal to ensure that accepting them won’t pose a safety risk to our staff or the animals already in our care, which remains our first priority.
Our process is counseling-based: all surrenders begin with a phone call to our Animal Intake Coordinator, not a walk-in visit. During that call, we’ll ask you to share as much detail as you can about your pet, including their age, medical history, household dynamics, and behavior around children, cats, or other dogs. This isn’t a formality — the more we understand about your animal, the better equipped we are to find them the right forever home.
We know this can be a difficult and emotional decision. Our goal throughout is to support you with compassion while doing what’s best for your pet’s future.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I schedule a surrender appointment?
All surrenders begin with a phone call. You must contact our Animal Intake Coordinator at 802.483.6700 Ext. 209 to discuss your pet and schedule an appointment. We are not able to accept walk-in surrenders or pick up animals from your home.
What should I bring to my appointment?
Please bring recent vaccination records.
Your appointment will take about 20-30 minutes. Our intake process is counseling-based, which means we’ll ask you a number of questions about your pet before and during your appointment, including their age, medical history, behavioral history, and how they do with children, cats, and other dogs. The more information you can share, the better we’re able to find them the right placement.
If you are not the owner, bring a signed and dated letter from the owner authorizing surrender. Dogs must be on a leash; cats and small animals must be in a carrier. You’re welcome to bring a comfort item like a toy or blanket to ease your pet’s transition — though we cannot guarantee it will stay with them throughout their stay.
Is there a fee to surrender my pet?
There is no required intake or surrender fee. However, we do ask that you consider a minimum donation of $50 to help offset the cost of care. Each year, more than 1,100 animals come through our doors, and the average cost to care for and prepare each animal for adoption is $300–$700. Every dollar makes a difference.
Where do I go when I arrive?
Please enter through the door marked Animal Intake (at the back of the building). A staff member will greet you and walk you through the process. Your visit will take approximately 20–30 minutes.
What happens to my pet after surrender?
We make every effort to place animals into loving, lifelong homes and do not have pre-set time limits on how long animals may stay in our care. In rare cases where a serious health condition or aggression makes responsible placement impossible, we make the most humane decision we can.
Will my pet definitely be accepted?
We do everything we can to say yes. However, every animal is individually assessed, and we reserve the right to decline an animal if accepting them would pose a safety risk to our staff or to the animals already in our care. This assessment is part of our commitment to keeping our shelter safe for every animal and person in it.
If I surrender a pet, can I still adopt from you in the future?
Bringing in a stray never affects your ability to adopt. Surrendering an owned pet is something we’ll take into account during a future adoption conversation, but it doesn’t disqualify you from adopting down the road.
A FEW THINGS TO KNOW
Most appointments are available within 10 days of your initial call. However, depending of capacity, wait times can be up to six weeks for dogs. During the summer months, when surrender requests increase, wait times may be even longer.
If you are dealing with an emergency situation — such as a safety concern or a sudden inability to care for your pet — please call us directly so we can discuss your options as quickly as possible.
Adoption Info
Before surrendering, explore whether rehoming directly might be the right fit. We can point you toward resources to help you find your pet a new home on your own.
Need Help Affording Pet Care?
Sometimes surrender can be avoided with a little support. Ask us about local resources for pet food assistance, low-cost veterinary care, and temporary foster options.