Surrendering Your Pet

We believe in keeping pets and people together when possible, and we’re here to help.

Here are some Owner Resources to help you keep your pet.

Rehoming Options

Rehome by Adopt-A-Pet

You can create your pet’s profile, review applications from potential adopters, and set up a meet-and-greet with applicants.

Home to Home

You can create your pet’s profile for potential adopters and fosters to view and set up meet-and-greets with applicants.

Please note, Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region is not affiliated with any rehoming services and does not facilitate the adoption process for pets available through these programs.

Surrendering your pet to HSPPR

Choosing to surrender your pet is not an easy decision. There are many reasons a family can no longer care for a pet, and we’re here to help at both our Colorado Springs and Pueblo locations. Before bringing your pet to us, please confirm that HSPPR is the closest shelter to your area. Click here to find an animal shelter near you.

If you adopt from HSPPR and find that it’s not the right fit, we will gladly welcome the pet back into our care.

Things to note:

We are a socially conscious shelter.

At HSPPR, we treat each animal as the individual they are. We do not make assumptions on behavior based on age or breed. If appropriate, a member of our behavior team will review the behavior profile you provide and may do an additional evaluation to help determine placement in a new home can be done safely.

There are two possible outcomes for animals surrendered to HSPPR.

Our priority and most common outcome is adoption or transfer. humane euthanasia for medical or behavior reasons is a possibility. These decisions are made carefully and thoughtfully and consider the pet’s mental and physical quality of life. Our focus is the health and well-being of every animal in our care and the safety of the community. You may request to be contacted if humane euthanasia is the determined outcome for your pet, and you will regain possession of your pet.

Begin the owner surrender process for both Colorado Springs and Pueblo shelters by filling out the correct species-specific pet profile.

Colorado Springs

Our Colorado Springs shelter requires an appointment to surrender pets. Scheduling an appointment online is easy – you choose the date and time that works best for you and you won’t have to wait to meet with a customer service representative.

Please click the button below to make an appointment and note the following:

Pueblo

Our Pueblo shelter does not require an appointment to surrender pets. If you are not a Pueblo County resident, please check your local shelters first before bringing your pet to us.

Please print the applicable pet profile above for your pet, and bring in a completed copy when you bring in an animal to surrender.

Once you arrive

The Colorado Springs Admissions entrance is located at the back of the HSPPR building (north end). The Pueblo Admissions entrance is on the north side of the building.

Wait times will vary depending on how busy we are and if you have an appointment or are walking in.

Be prepared for paperwork

If you do not have an appointment, we will request you fill out paperwork at this time.

Meeting with a customer service representative

We will review your pet’s medical and behavioral history, discuss the answers to our questionnaire in more detail, and discuss HSPPR’s processes at the shelter.

Reviewing your options

We will review the options for surrendering your pet with us based on the conversation we have about your pet and what outcome options are available to your pet.

Transferring ownership

You will sign paperwork transferring ownership of the pet to HSPPR. If you’re surrendering a pet on someone else’s behalf, we’ll need to contact the current owner for permission. Please bring the owner’s contact information with you.

If This Pet Has Bitten

As in accordance with health department requirements, you will be asked about any bite history of the animal. If surrendering a pet that has bitten in the last 10 days, quarantine or rabies testing may be required. HSPPR does not provide bite quarantine services; please contact your local health department for details. Active military members should report bites to law enforcement on their base.

Livestock

Due to their special needs, we are unable to accept owner surrender livestock, including chickens, ducks, horses, goats, pigs (including potbellied pigs), or any other animal considered to be livestock. We’ve compiled a list of farm animal sanctuaries and rescues that are equipped to house livestock should you need assistance.

If you find wildlife

HSPPR is not licensed to accept wildlife. If you find orphaned or injured wildlife, including deer, birds, rabbits, turtles or tarantulas, please view the Colorado Parks and Wildlife's licensed rehabilitator list arranged by county or visit their website.

Relinquishment fees

If you can no longer care for your pet and need to bring them to the shelter, we charge a small fee to help cover some of their daily care. While this fee doesn’t fully cover the expenses, it helps us provide safe shelter, veterinary care, and a chance for a new life. Fees vary depending on the number and type of animal being surrendered. If you cannot afford these fees, we will work with you on a fee that is affordable for you.

Cat $55
Dog $55
Litter of puppies/kittens $95
Guinea Pig $55
Rabbit $55

Reptile $55
Rodent $5
Fish $5
Domestic Birds* $5-55

*fees depend on the size of the bird and the number of birds surrendered. This does not include fowl.

Our primary focus is on supporting the pets and people in our community. However, we understand that individuals from outside our area may also require our services. If you live outside our jurisdiction and need to surrender an animal, additional fees will apply to help cover the cost of their care. These fees enable us to continue providing assistance to all animals in need.