PET SURRENDER
Our goal is to help keep you and your pet together, but we also understand that some problems are out of your control and may require you to relinquish your pet. Our Community and Pet Support program can offer guidance and support to help you keep your pet, or if all other options have been exhausted, find a new home for them.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY & PET SUPPORT PROGRAM
The ultimate goal of the Community and Pet Support program (CAPS) is to provide counseling and resources to pet owners so they can make informed decisions that will ensure the best option for their pets and themselves. The best thing for any pet is to stay in a home and never have to come to the shelter.
Having a pet is a life-long commitment, but we do understand that situations can arise. Surrendering your animal should always be a last-resort! El Paso Animal Services has options to help you through a difficult time. Contact our CAPS office to discuss the available resources to help you keep your animal.
Assistance to help you find another home for your pet instead of them having to come into the shelter.
Supplemental pet food and supplies to help you keep your pet through challenging times.
Information and resources on free and low-cost pet health services to address medical concerns.
Information and resources to possibly help you through behavior concerns with your pet.
Information and resources to help find housing that accepts you and your pets.
KEEPING FAMILIES TOGETHER
We understand making the decision to surrender your pet is difficult. If you are considering surrendering your pet, we are here to offer guidance and support. Our goal is to help you resolve the problems you’re experiencing so you and your pet can stay together. Please utilize our resources below, or reach out to us at pethelpline@elpasotexas.gov and we can discuss various programs and services that we offer that may assist you in keeping your pet.
CAN’T KEEP YOUR PET?
If you have explored all other options and still are unable to keep your pet, then surrendering your pet might be the nest option to explore. If this is the case, please submit a pet surrender request form below. Please be aware that surrender appointments at El Paso Animal Services are 6 to 8 weeks out. You can also attempt contacting another local rescue or shelter to see if they have capacity to take the pet. El Paso Animal Services is typically unable to accept same-day surrenders. Appointments are scheduled based on availability and available space within the shelter. The pet owner must be present at the owner surrender appointment, and no one except the legal pet owner can surrender a pet.
Surrendering your pet to our shelter means you are giving up all rights to that animal, and with all owner surrenders there is a “No Holding Period,” meaning El Paso Animal Services is not required to hold the animal for any amount of time before a disposition is determined. Animals surrendered become property of the department. We are not required to notify you of any development regarding health or status.
REQUESTING A SURRENDER APPOINTMENT
To begin the surrender process, owners must submit an online pet surrender request form for each pet. Once you submit a surrender request, you will be contacted to schedule a counseling appointment. At this appointment, we will review your pet’s surrender request form and review next steps.
WHAT TO BRING TO YOUR COUNSELING APPOINTMENT
- Photo ID
- Veterinary Records (if applicable)
- Your Secured Pet (dogs on a leash, cats in a crate/carrier)
NOTICE OF RISK OF EUTHANASIA
While our goal at El Paso Animal Services is to try and find a lifesaving outcome for the animals in our care, there are times where we have to euthanize an animal for medical concerns, public safety concerns and concerns of quality-of-life.
Surrendering your pet to our shelter means you are giving up all rights to that animal. We are not required to notify you of any development regarding health or status. All animals under the care of El Paso Animal Services can become a risk of euthanasia if they develop and/or experience medical concerns, public safety concerns or develop suffering due to poor quality-of-life.
Our goal is to help keep families together, humans and animals alike. If you find yourself in need of other kinds of resources for you, your family or your home, visit the City of El Paso Community & Human Development website: