About Houston Humane Society

Wait List FAQs

SURRENDERING OWNED ANIMALS, WAIT LIST PROGRAM – FAQ’s

I am not able to keep my pet and need to surrender him or her to the Houston Humane Society. Can I bring it to you?
Why does the Houston Humane Society require me to be placed on a Wait List?
How does the “Wait List” process work?
Is there a required fee to surrender my animal(s)?
What are the benefits of this process?
How is it determined which animals are considered adoptable?
What happens when an animal is deemed un-adoptable?
Does the Houston Humane Society take in stray animals?
How long will animals remain in the shelter?
Are there any circumstances that would not require a reservation for an animal to be taken in to the Houston Humane Society?
I need to have my pet "put to sleep" can the Houston Humane Society help?
If I change my mind after surrendering my animal(s) to the Houston Humane Society, can I get them back?
Does the Houston Humane Society work in conjunction with Animal Control?
How are animals seixed in Cruelty Investigations cared for?

I AM NOT ABLE TO KEEP MY PET AND NEED TO SURRENDER HIM OR HER TO THE HOUSTON HUMANE SOCIETY. CAN I BRING IT TO YOU?

Yes. See our Wait List Submission page for information about bringing your pet to us and to submit the Wait List Questionnaire.

The Houston Humane Society accepts dogs, cats, and small mammals for relinquishment on a wait list required basis.

WHY DOES THE HOUSTON HUMANE SOCIETY REQUIRE ME TO BE PLACED ON A WAIT LIST?

The Houston Humane Society does not euthanize animals for lack of space. Due to limited resources, and to provide the best care for the animals, the Houston Humane Society is not able to take in unlimited animals. As space becomes available we will accept animals in order of placement on the Wait List.

The Houston Humane Society does not take in stray animals for surrender. In an effort to increase the likelihood of a stray being reunited with their owner, people finding a stray animal will be directed to the animal control agency closest to where the animal was found.

The Houston Humane Society is asking the community to be a partner in the process of finding new homes for animals.

HOW DOES THE WAIT LIST PROCESS WORK?

From a resource standpoint, we are unable to take in an unlimited number of animals and not euthanize for space.

Animals will be taken in based on available space, which will be made on a first come, first served basis.

Please complete and submit the form which will be placed on the animal surrender Wait List.

Once you have been contacted to bring your animal to the Houston Humane Society, a reservation is set so that all animals under six months can be assessed with health evaluations and all animals six months and older can be assessed with health and behavior evaluations while the owner waits. You are required to set aside 20 minutes of your time for this process.

IS THERE A FEE REQUIRED TO SURRENDER MY ANIMAL?

There is a $35.00, non-refundable evaluation fee for each animal over 6 months of age. $15.00 fee per puppy or kitten under 6 months of age with a $50.00 maximum fee for litters of 4 or more. Upon completion of the evaluation(s), notification will be given whether or not the animal will be eligible to be placed in the Houston Humane Society’s adoption program. After they are fully briefed on the evaluation outcome, each person will be given a final option to leave the animal with the Houston Humane Society or take it with them.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THIS PROCESS?

There will be less euthanasia, however this option will still be available for those animals that do not pass the health and/or temperament evaluation or for those animals that are injured, sick, suffering.
With more decision-making directed towards people bringing in their animals, there is hope of more pet ownership responsibility and less surrenders.

HOW IS IT DETERMINED WHICH ANIMALS ARE CONSIDERED ADOPTABLE?

Upon surrender, each dog will go through a health and behavior evaluation. This provides shelter staff with the ability to evaluate a dog’s adoptablility.
A cat’s behavior will be evaluated based on its temperament shown during the intake procedures and the health evaluation.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AN ANIMAL IS DEEMED UN-ADOPTABLE?

If an animal is deemed un-adoptable at the time of their evaluation, the person who brought the animal in is given the following options: to keep the pet and/or to take the animal to a ****veterinarian for treatment, to seek placement at a local animal shelter or other agency or to release the pet as an owner requested euthanasia (if the Houston Humane Society concurs). The $35.00 evaluation fee will cover the cost for owner requested euthanasia if the owner chooses this option.

****If the pet has a treatable health condition, the Houston Humane Society may be able to assist with the cost of treatment if the owner agrees to keep the animal and complete the treatment process.

DOES THE HOUSTON HUMANE SOCIETY TAKE IN STRAY ANIMALS?

The Houston Humane Society does not take in stray animals for surrender. In an effort to increase the likelihood of a stray being reunited with its owner, people finding a stray animal will be directed to the animal control agency closest to where the animal was found.

HOW LONG WILL ANIMALS REMAIN IN SHELTER?

All healthy, adoptable animals will stay in the shelter until adopted unless the animal contracts a contagious, non-treatable illness or becomes behaviorally un-adoptable. The Houston Humane Society has never placed a limit on the amount of time animals stay in the shelter. As long as they stay happy and healthy, they’ll stay at the Houston Humane Society, waiting for homes.

ARE THERE ANY CIRCUMSTANCES THAT WOULD NOT REQUIRE A RESERVATION FOR AN ANIMAL TO BE TAKEN IN TO THE HOUSTON HUMANE SOCIETY?

If you need to return an animal that you adopted from the Houston Humane Society, you do not need a reservation. Call to 713-433-6421 to set up a time to bring the animal back.

I NEED TO HAVE MY PET "PUT TO SLEEP." CAN THE HOUSTON HUMANE SOCIETY HELP?

Yes, we can provide a euthanize service for your pet at your request. The Houston Humane Society must agree that the euthanasia is appropriate. The Houston Humane Society does not require a reservation for owner requested euthanasia. A surrender fee of $50.00 will be required for this service. The Houston Humane Society reserves the right to treat and place your pet for adoption if this option is chosen and you agree.

IF I CHANGE MY MIND AFTER SURRENDERING MY ANIMAL(S) TO THE HOUSTON HUMANE SOCIETY?

We ask that you consider all your options before surrendering your animal to any organization. You will sign a legal document transferring the ownership of your animal to the Houston Humane Society. You are relinquishing all legal rights to the animal and authorizing the Houston Humane Society to do what they deem is best for the pet. You will not be called to discuss any information pertaining to the animal.

DOES THE HOUSTON HUMANE SOCIETY WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH ANIMAL CONTROL?

Houston Humane Society pays the salaries for two Harris County Animal Crimes Investigators (Deputies). We also have an Animal Crimes Investigator on staff. We also work closely with animal control agencies in the surrounding areas through the transfer of animals to the Houston Humane Society for adoption as space permits.

HOW ARE ANIMALS SEIZED IN CRUELTY INVESTIGATIONS CARED FOR?

Animals that are brought to the Houston Humane Society through the organization’s Animal Crimes Unit will remain separate from the regular intake of owner-surrendered animals and receive the same quality of care, including medical attention if necessary, as any other animal in the facility. Once the court hearing and appeals process if over, these animals will be given the same evaluations as any other animal that comes through the system in order to determine whether or not they are adoptable.

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Tuesday, April 17, 2018

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