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.

 

There is a $75 fee for all unvaccinated animals accepted into our adoption program.

 

Fee Waived with Vaccination
        
This fee will be waived if your pet is up to date on core vaccines, administered at another veterinary clinic or at our Wellness Clinic.
       
Vaccinating your pet before intake helps boost their immunity and reduces the risk of illness once they enter the shelter.
 
Wellness Clinic Vaccine Hours
Open: Monday-Saturday 9:00 am – 3:30pm
No appointment necessary, walk-ins welcome
       
Wait times may range from 30–60 minutes.
 
Your office visit fee will be waived with proof of your intake form, either on your phone or printed.
     
Vaccine pricing:
  • Cats/Kittens: FVRCP – $21
  • Dogs/Puppies: DA2PPC – $24

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.

 

To surrender a pet, fill out our Pet Surrender Form. Once submitted, our Admissions Department will be in touch.

 

If you need to follow up regarding your surrender form, please email us at admissions@houstonhumane.org.

 

You are also invited to click here for other resources and rescues around our area.

 

At this time, Houston Humane Society 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
  • Learn more about our Finder to Foster program

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

  • I am not able to keep my pet and need to surrender it to the Houston Humane Society. Can I bring it to you?
  • Is there a fee required 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 unadoptable?
  • What is the best option for stray animals?
  • How long will animals remain in the shelter?
  • Are there any circumstances that do not require a reservation?
  • Can the Houston Humane Society help with euthanasia?
  • If I change my mind after surrendering, can I get my pet back?
 

 

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, to surrender a pet, please fill out the surrender form below. Once submitted, our Admissions Department will be in touch. If you need to follow up regarding your surrender form, please email us at admissions@houstonhumane.org.
 

 

IS THERE A FEE REQUIRED TO SURRENDER MY ANIMAL?
There is a $75 fee for each animal accepted into Houston Humane Society. This fee will be waived if your pet is up to date on core vaccines. 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?

We conduct intakes by appointment because we do not euthanize pets due to length of stay or lack of space. Scheduling intakes allows us to:

 

·         Provide focused time and care for each pet in our shelter.
·         Work within our capacity to ensure every animal receives proper attention and support.
·         Efficiently manage kennel space—once a pet is adopted, a new pet can move into that available space.

 

This approach helps us give every pet the best chance to find a loving home while maintaining high standards of care.

 

 

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AN ANIMAL IS DEEMED UNADOPTABLE?

If an animal is deemed unadoptable at the time of their evaluation, the person who brought the animal in is given the following options:


·         Keep the pet
·         Seek placement at a local animal shelter or other agency
·         Request euthanasia (if the Houston Humane Society deems it medically necessary). The $75 surrender fee will cover the cost for requested euthanasia

·         Take the animal to a veterinarian for treatment

 

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.

 

WHAT IS THE BEST OPTION FOR STRAY ANIMALS?

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 THE SHELTER?

All healthy, adoptable animals will stay in the shelter until adopted unless, if deemed medically necessary, they develop an illness that can't be treated or managed, or they become behaviorally unadoptable. 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 INTO THE HOUSTON HUMANE SOCIETY?

If you need to return an animal that you adopted from the Houston Humane Society, email admissions@houstonhumane.org 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?

Our wellness clinic offers euthanasia services for pets at the owner’s request. The Houston Humane Society must agree that the euthanasia is appropriate. To schedule an appointment, please call 713-433-6421. By choosing this option, you agree that the Houston Humane Society reserves the right to treat and place your pet for adoption if deemed appropriate.

 

IF I CHANGE MY MIND AFTER SURRENDERING MY ANIMAL(S) TO THE HOUSTON HUMANE SOCIETY?
We want you to know that you can absolutely come and get your pet. However, please keep in mind that the pet could be adopted, so it’s best to come in as soon as possible.
 
We ask that you carefully consider all your options before surrendering your animal to any organization. If you do choose to surrender, you will sign a legal document transferring ownership of your animal to the Houston Humane Society. By signing, you relinquish all legal rights to the animal and authorize the Houston Humane Society to make decisions in the best interest of the pet.
 

Finder to Foster Program

 
If we do not have space to accept your pet into the shelter right away, you can sign up for our Finder to Foster program. This means you will foster the pet until it is adopted or until space becomes available at the shelter.
 
The Houston Humane Society will provide all necessary medical care for the pet, including spay/neuter, vaccines, microchip, deworming, and more. We will also network the pet for adoption on our website and at adoption events, and we will facilitate the adoption process.
 
By participating in this program, you must commit to fostering the pet until it is adopted or until space is available in the shelter. On average, the wait for space in the shelter is about 90 days, though pets may be adopted before that time period.
 
To learn more, scroll to the Finder to Foster section below.
 
To sign up for this program with a pet you have found please email admissions@houstonhumane.org and copy foster@houstonhumane.org. 
 

 

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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!
 

Please submit photos and information about the pets requiring assistance by emailing admissions@houstonhumane.org and copying foster@houstonhumane.org with the subject line "Finder To Foster."

 

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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.

 

 

 

HHS Pet Surrender Form

 
NOTE: If the animal you are surrendering was adopted from the Houston Humane Society, do not complete the Pet Surrender Form below. Please email admissions@houstonhumane.org to set a time for you to return the animal to us.