Get Help

Making the decision to surrender an animal is difficult, but we’re here to help.

If you’re faced with the challenge of having to balance your pet’s needs with changes in your life, we’re here to help. We have resources and support to help you make the best decisions for you and your pet.

Alternatives to Rehoming

Our ultimate goal is to keep you and your beloved pet together, if possible. We can help with behavior or medical problems that may be making it difficult to keep your companion at home. Our Pet Care Assistance  and newly-launched Pet Safety Net can provide financial support for veterinary care and other pet needs. If your rehoming is due to a behavior concern, our Behavior & Training department can offer a free 15-minute behavior consultation for you to determine if there are other options besides rehoming.

Private Rehoming Service

There’s no place like home! If you’re unable to keep your pet and must find an alternative home for him or her, our placement service offers tools to help you without having to surrender him or her to a shelter.

Pets and Housing

Living in the Bay Area is expensive and competitive — especially when you’re seeking a home for you and your furry (or feathery) friend. Our Pets and Housing resources are designed to help you navigate this challenge.

Marin Humane Admissions

We realize that sometimes rehoming your animal yourself is not an option. If you need to surrender your pet, please call us at 415.883.4621 to schedule an appointment.

Policy and procedures

Marin Humane is an open admission animal shelter for the county of Marin, meaning we accept all animals from Marin regardless of their behavior, health, or age. If you live outside of Marin County, please contact your local animal shelter.

Although we cannot guarantee a new home for your companion animal, we consider each case individually. In cases of severe behavioral or medical issues, humane euthanasia may be the most appropriate option however we never euthanize based on the length of time an animal has been awaiting adoption or to make space.

If you decide to surrender your companion animal, please understand you are surrendering all rights and responsibility of this animal to Marin Humane.

The surrender process involves:
    1. Completing our questionnaire about the animal. The more information you can provide, the better our chances of finding a new home for him or her. You can also download and complete our questionnaire ahead of time:
       Cat | Dog | Bird | Small Companion Animal
    2. Signing the surrender form.
    3. Paying the surrender fee.
      For dogs/cats:

      sterilized: $50 each
      not sterilized: $75 each

      Litters of 2-3: $50 per animal
      Litters of 4+: $25 per animal

Birds and small mammals: $10 each
Amphibians/reptiles: $25
Large farm animals: to be determined

 

Please bring any medical records you have for your animal.

All animals are evaluated for health and temperament. If placed in our adoption program, animals will remain available for adoption until a suitable home is found and as long as she/he remains in good health and temperament. Our adoption rate is consistently above national average.  If we’re unable to place an animal in our adoption program, we may find a foster home, or contact other rescue and placement organizations.

Thank you in advance for helping us help your companion animal.