Animal Rehoming

There are many options and resources available to pet owners through our Animal Help Desk. Our staff can connect you with the appropriate community resources that provide financial assistance programs and professional behavioral training. We are here to help guide and support you, making surrendering your pet a last resort rather than the only option.

For assistance with your pet, please call and leave a message with our Animal Help Desk at (775) 856-2000 ext. 200, or email animalhelp@nevadahumanesociety.org

Pet Food Assistance

If you are struggling to feed your pet, we are here to help! We are committed to supporting our community members in need and keeping pets in safe, happy, loving homes through our Pet Pantry Program. This program is made possible through the generosity of donors in our community and corporate partners. If you are interested in supporting the pet pantry program, please contact us!

Learn More

Low-Cost Veterinary Services

Our clinic also offers a comprehensive range of services for our community, including low-cost vaccines, microchipping, and feline spay and neuter. If you need financial assistance with veterinary bills, our Animal Help Desk offers guidance and resources to pet parents in need.

Our Veterinary Clinic Services

Surrender Information

At Nevada Humane Society, we cherish the lifelong bonds between people and their pets. However, we also understand that sometimes you may face challenges that make it hard to keep your pet. Whether you're dealing with financial strain, an impending housing crisis, or animal behavioral issues, there are numerous avenues to explore that can help you keep your furry friend by your side. We're here to help!

Through our Animal Help Desk, we can help you explore all available options first including:

Financial & Assistance Resources

Help with Behavior Training

Low-Cost Veterinary Services

Options for Rehoming Your Pet

Pet Issues & Concerns

If you need to surrender your pet:

Step 1: Please call and leave a message with our Animal Help Desk at (775) 856-2000 ext. 200 or contact us via email animalhelp@nevadahumanesociety.org. We will return your inquiry within 24 hours.

Step 2: Once ownership/residency is confirmed by our team, you will complete the surrender application.

Step 3: Our team will review the application and determine the best pathway for the animal.

Step 4: A follow-up call will be made, resources will be provided, and – if necessary – an appointment will be scheduled with our Admissions Team.

Pet Rehoming FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I surrender my pet?

If surrendering is your only option, we accept pets at our Reno and Carson City locations by appointment only.

In Reno, our surrender appointment hours are 7 days a week, 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. In Carson City, our surrender appointments are held Monday through Saturday.

Reno/Sparks Call (775) 856-2000 ext. 200

Carson City: Call (775) 887-2171

You'll need to complete a surrender form and sign a legal release of ownership. We're here to support you and your pet through this process.

How much does it cost to surrender my animal?

How long do I have to wait for a surrender appointment?

I submitted a surrender application yesterday, why haven't I heard back yet?

We receive a lot of surrender applications each day, and our awesome team reviews each one carefully. They might have some follow-up questions or need to chat a bit more with you. We get back to everyone in the order we receive applications, unless there’s an urgent situation that needs our immediate attention. You can typically expect to hear from us within 1-3 days after submitting your application. Thanks for your patience and understanding!

Can you temporarily board or foster my pet for me?

If my situation changes, can I reclaim my pet after I surrender them?

If I surrender, will I not be able to adopt from your facility in the future?

Just because you surrender an animal doesn't mean you can't adopt from us in the future! We get that sometimes surrenders are necessary, and different animals fit better in different homes. We're here to be a safe place for animals and the community, and we see the community as our partners in finding the best homes for each animal and the best animals for each home.

I live outside Washoe or Carson County; can I surrender my animal to your facility?

Do you euthanize animals at the Nevada Humane Society? I thought you were a “no-kill” shelter.

The term "no-kill" can be confusing. In animal welfare, the term “no-kill” simply means that the live-release rate is at least 90%. We are proud that our live-release rate for 2023 was 94%, and we continually strive to save as many pets as possible. As a socially conscious animal welfare organization, we always consider whether each pet who comes through our doors can safely and humanely live in our community. Our goal is to save all safe, healthy, and treatable pets in our community. With that said, euthanasia does happen, whether it is for medical or behavioral reasons. We always look at the best and most humane option for each animal, as well as the safety of the community.

Animal Rehoming

Pet Food Assistance

Low-Cost Veterinary Services

Surrender Information

Frequently Asked Questions

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