Pet Relinquishment

Animal rescues are a great option for rehoming a pet that would not do well in a traditional animal shelter environment. The vast majority of animal rescues are foster-based, which means the animal lives in a foster home with a family while the rescue works to find them a forever home. They are also a great match for animals who have medical or behavioral issues common with their species or breed, as the rescue will be best equipped to deal with those, and the families who want to adopt those breeds may be better prepared for those issues than someone who has not had any experience with the breed before, or done research to understand the breed best. A search on a search engine such as google for a rescue in the Midwest for the animal's species or breed will produce a good list of rescues nearby. We always recommend doing research on a rescue before placing an animal with them.

You are the best advocate for your pet. Here’s some ways you can rehome your pet on your own.

Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com have created a simple, reliable free program to help you place your pet from your loving home directly to another. Here’s what you need to do to list your pets:

1. Visit https://rehome.adoptapet.com/r/89239 
2. Create a Pet Profile
3. Review applications – their dedicated team will give you all the help you need to select the best potential adopters.
4. Meet adopters. The Rehome team will guide you through the process of setting safe and pressure-free meetings with applicants.
5. Finalize the adoption. Rehome will provide you with an adoption contract to protect the transfer of our pet ownership. The new adopters must pay a small rehoming fee that will be donated to us or another rescue.

Get the word out about your pet needing a new home in as many places as possible. Talk to friends, family members, coworkers, neighbors, your veterinarian, your groomer – they may know someone who might be interested in adopting your pet. 

You can also create a listing on general adoption websites like https://getyourpet.com/ or http://petbond.com or utilize appropriately moderated Facebook pages such as AHeinz57's Solutions to Surrender Facebook Page.

We are only able to accept owner surrenders from Ames residents. Owners are required to show proof of pet ownership and a current proof of residency at the time of surrender.

1. Complete the surrender information forms using the buttons below.

2. Our staff will review the information and reach out to you to make an appointment to surrender your pet. You will be asked to bring in all of your pet's medical records, a 30 day supply of their food (if possible), and a comfort item such as a blanket, bed, toys, etc. that smells like home to help them with their adjustment. If your pet is on a medication, we ask you provide us with a 30 day supply (if possible) to avoid any interruptions in their medication. We do not have a veterinarian on staff to prescribe the medication, and appointments at local hospitals can sometimes book out several days. You may bring additional items for their new owner as well such as bowls, kennels, toys, etc.