Animal Surrender & Re-Homing
We understand that there are circumstances that may prevent you from being able to keep your pet and the Wisconsin Humane Society is here to help.
If you are interested in resources that may help you keep your pet:
- For animal-friendly housing, click here
- For behavior tips and training support, click here or reach out to our free behavior tip line at 414-431-6173 or via email
- Check out dog training classes offered at WHS and virtually
- Additional services available through WHS include: our pet food pantry, spay/neuter options, and more
- Contact our Community Resource Navigator to talk through possible resources and alternatives to surrendering your pet at 414-431-6115
If you are unable to keep your pet:
- Explore online re-homing
- Ask your friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors to spread the word
If you’ve exhausted all available resources, the Wisconsin Humane Society is here to help. We will never turn away an animal in need.
Surrender Process
***Effective Sunday, June 1, 2025, surrendered animals will be accepted on a walk-in basis at all WHS campuses during open surrender/arrivals hours. Appointments are no longer necessary.
When you bring your pet to WHS for surrender, he or she will receive a health and behavior assessment. There are no time or space limits at our shelters, which means that if we are able to place your pet in our adoption program, he or she will remain with us until they find a good match.
>> Before coming to WHS with your pet, please review the open surrender/arrivals hours at your nearest campus and have the following prepared:
- Please bring a government-issued photo ID (such as a drivers license)
- If you have them, please bring your pet's medical records and list of any medications/supplements they may be on
- For everyone’s safety, all dogs must be leashed and all cats must be in carriers. If you do not have a leash or a carrier, please leave your pet in your vehicle and request one from the shelter.
Questions? Please contact the WHS campus nearest you:
- Door County Campus: 920-746-1111
- Green Bay Campus: 920-469-3111
- Kenosha Campus: 262-694-4047
- Milwaukee Campus: 414-264-6257
- Ozaukee Campus: 262-377-7580
- Racine Campus: 262-554-6699
Surrender Fees
These fees go toward the care of animals while we help them find new homes.
| Animal | Single Animal (Fee Per Animal) | Multiple Animals (Fee Applied to Group) |
|---|---|---|
| Dogs | $40.00 | $75.00 |
| Cats | $40.00 | $75.00 |
| Rabbits | $30.00 | $55.00 |
| Small animals | $20.00 | $35.00 |
| Exotics | $75.00 | No group discount |
Fees can be reduced or waived if they are a barrier; we will never turn an animal away due to financial constraints.
There are some circumstances where animals cannot be placed up for adoption.
All safe, healthy animals are placed into our adoption program and have as long as it takes to find a new home. Whether or not we can place other animals into our adoption program is determined based on several factors. These include the severity of the medical or behavior condition, quality of life, risk to other animals in our care, public safety, and the ability to manage significant medical or behavioral issues. Click here to learn more about our lifesaving statistics and outcome decision making philosophy.
