Adopt A Pet

Animal Intake Process

Animal Intake Process

If you found an animal on the street, can no longer care for your pet, or were unsuccessful at rehoming him or her, you can contact the Houston Humane Society’s Intake program.
 

Our intake program accepts pets Tuesday - Saturday, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, and is by appointment only. Your pet will be accepted if there is space available and we will not euthanize a healthy/adoptable animal to make space for another animal.
 

📌 We will be closed on Friday, July 4th.

There is a $75.00 fee for all animals accepted into our adoption program.

To ensure the best care and attention for every animal, we are currently accepting pets by appointment only.
 

Walk-ins are not allowed at this time.

Please call or text us at 713-433-6421 to schedule an appointment, or fill out our Pet Surrender Form. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
 

If space is not available, you are welcome to check back in a few days. You are also invited to click here for other resources and rescues around our area.
 

Please Click Here and fill out our Intake Wait List Form. Someone will contact you to schedule the intake date and time.
 

Please Click Here if you have any questions or would like to know more about our Intake Wait List Program.

*** At this time, HHS is limited in what we can accept regarding stray animals. Check your local animal control center for more information.
 

A stray animal has a higher chance to be reunited with its owner through a local animal control. If you find a stray, please contact the animal control service in your area. Click here for a list of local agencies.
 

If you find a stray animal

  • Post signs around your neighborhood, at least a 5-block radius
  • Place a sign in local veterinary clinics
  • Call Houston Humane Society and other agencies to leave a found animal report

Thank you for understanding that the Houston Humane Society cannot accept an unlimited number of animals. By accepting only the number of animals we can properly care for, our animals will have a better chance of adoption and the rate of euthanasia is reduced.
 

Animal Intake 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?
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 or longer.  Each evaluation is different and may require your animal visit with our clinic. 

 

IS THERE A FEE REQUIRED TO SURRENDER MY ANIMAL?
There is a $75.00, non-refundable evaluation fee for each animal.  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 $75.00 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, 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. 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.

 

Intake Wait List Program- Surrendering a pet to the Houston Humane Society

 
The Houston Humane Society (HHS) is unable to accept an unlimited number of animals, therefore HHS is a managed intake shelter. To provide the best possible care for the animals, we accept pets from the public as space permits. We do not euthanize healthy/adoptable animals for lack of space, and do not place time limits on animals waiting for adoption.
 
Completing the Pet Surrender Form adds your pet(s) to our waiting list for placement at our shelter. We will contact you when space becomes available for your pet(s).
 
Please note, we receive a large number of surrender requests, and we will do our best to accept your pet(s) as soon as space becomes available, as acceptance is on a first come first served basis, by animal type and size. If we have not contacted you within 30 days to accept your pet, you may resubmit the form to place your pet(s) back on the waiting list.
           
If you need to relinquish your animal(s) immediately, please visit this page on our website to find other shelters and rescue groups around your area.   
 
Please note we do not take in stray animals. In an effort to increase the likelihood of a stray being reunited with their owner we ask that you contact  your local animal services shelter for assistance.
 
For more information about the Houston Humane Society surrender process, please read our Animal Intake Process.
 
**** NOTE: If the animal you are surrendering was adopted from the Houston Humane Society, do not complete the Pet Surrender Form below. Please call 713-433-6421 to set a time for you to return the animal to us.
 

By completing this information, I declare UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY that I am the legal owner/agent of the animal(s) submitted. I have answered all questions below to the best of my ability. I understand that once I surrender my animal(s) to the Houston Humane Society, I relinquish all legal rights to said animal and to any information regarding the animal(s) surrendered and their disposition.

 

I further understand that there is no time guarantee, or placement of the animal(s) surrendered and also understand that the animal(s) shall be evaluated and disposition determined at the discretion of the Houston Humane Society.

 

Complete a separate form for each animal over 6 months of age - Litters under 6 month of age can be completed on one form - All fields must be completed. A picture of the animal(s) must be downloaded and submitted - A picture of the entire litter can be submitted.

 
 

HHS Pet Surrender Form

 

 

Programs

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Our Finder to Foster program empowers people who find a stray pet to temporarily foster them until they find a forever home, reducing strain on our shelter while ensuring pets receive care.
 

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Let’s make a difference together by fostering animals we find on the streets, giving them a temporary home when our shelter is full, and caring for them until space becomes available!
 

We provide all the supplies, medical care, and adoption support — fosters simply provide love and a safe space.
 

Found a pet in need? We can help you get started with our Finder to Foster program!
 

For more information, please email our foster team at foster@houstonhumane.org
 

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In 2024 alone, the Finder to Foster program helped save 455 lives! With the help of compassionate foster families, we’re making a difference every day.