The Hard Decision
We are sorry you are having to consider surrendering your pet. We know this is a difficult decision for any pet owner to have to make. With the amount of pets brought to the resource center each year there are simply more pets than there are homes. We do our best to ensure every pet that comes through our doors has the best possible chance at a happy life, but we need the community’s help to achieve this goal.
We use a triaged intake system for surrender appointments to ensure pets in emergent situations receive priority, much like an emergency room. We ask the community to consider surrendering your pet to the shelter as a last resort and we offer support to try to keep the pet in the home or ask that owners re-home the pet on their own.
We are unable to accept pets from other counties, and it will be required for you to provide proof of Guilford County residency when surrendering pets to the shelter.
Self-Rehoming Your Pet
Self-rehoming your pet is less stressful for the pet and you! A pet that is happy and healthy in your home may not remain happy and healthy when surrendered to a shelter. Though our staff provides enrichment and care for the pets here at Guilford County Animal Services, a shelter setting is inherently a stressful place for pets. Stress can cause fearful or aggressive behaviors and lower the immune system of a pet, making them vulnerable to sickness and diseases. Once your pet is surrendered to the shelter, they will be evaluated for adoption, rescue, or euthanasia. Guilford County Animal Services places adoptions on a first come first serve basis and does not do background checks or home visits on adopters. Self rehoming not only allows the pet to stay in an environment they are familiar with but also allows you to ensure they go to a home that fits their needs. Please see the rehoming resources below for more information.
The resources listed below are third party resources and are not resources provided by Guilford County or Guilford County Animal Services. Guilford County and Guilford County Animal Services are in no way liable or responsible for any damages, incidents, or situations that may occur through use of the following resources.
Owner Surrender Resources
The following websites and suggestions may help you rehome your pet safely:
- PetFinder – General Rehoming Information
- Petfinder – Tips for Rehoming Your Dog
- Adopt A Pet Rehoming Service
- Home to Home Rehoming Service
- Rehomeyourpets.com Rehoming Service
- Nextdoor
- Friends and Family - Word of Mouth
- Search “Pet Rehoming Your Area Here” in a search engine for additional pet rehoming options.
- Vets offices may provide rehoming assistance if you’re an established client.
Rehoming Facebook Groups
- Rehoming Pets of NC Facebook Group
- NC Pet Rehoming and Adoption Facebook Group
- Rehoming Pets of North Carolina and Surrounding States Facebook Group
- Dogs Available for Rehoming and Rescue North Carolina Facebook Group
- Pet's Needing Rehomed or Fostered North Carolina Facebook Group
- Search “Pet Rehoming Your Area Here” in a search engine for additional pet rehoming options.
Food Assistance
If you’re in need of temporary food assistance, we are happy to help. Visit us at Guilford County Animal Shelter and we can provide assistance.
While we cannot provide veterinary care here at Guilford County Animal Services to owned animals, we do have a list of local and national resources for veterinary assistance.
- The Sergei Foundation, Inc. is a North Carolina non-profit organization (501c3) that provides veterinary financial aid to those families who cannot afford emergency care when there’s no place else to turn; because you can’t turn your head when they’re family.
- The Pet Fund is a national non-profit organization (501c3) that provides veterinary financial aid to pet owners in need to keep pets out of shelters and with their owners.
- Care Credit is a line of credit accepted by many veterinarians in the Triad.
- Scratchpay is a one-time loan for veterinary care with a very high approval rating.
- Consider setting up a fundraising page for your animal using an online donation service. Some examples of these online organizations are:
- Search “Veterinary Assistance Your Area Here” in a search engine for veterinary assistant options.
- Humane Society of the Piedmont
- Sheets Pet Clinic
- Piedmont Community Wellness Clinic
- Search “Low Cost Veterinary Care Your Area Here” in a search engine for additional low cost veterinary options.
We unfortunately cannot recommend any trainers, but you can search for trainers in your area by going to a search engine and entering in “Dog Training Your Area Here.”
We do recommend checking all trainers’ credentials, references, and meeting with them before choosing a trainer. There is no standardized testing, certifications or regulations to dog trainers currently.
Surrendering Your Pet
If you are experiencing an emergent situation, please fill out the Owner Surrender Application below. Once submitted a Guilford County Animal Services Staff member will be in contact with you as soon as possible to discuss setting up an appointment. Your first point of contact will be via email with directions on how the shelter can assist you. If you have not had any luck self-rehoming and are still in need of surrender 60 days after your application has been submitted, please re-apply and your application will be re-evaluated.
It is unlawful to abandon animals or falsify documents in Guilford County.