Surrendering a Pet - Receiving
* Please note: Due to our mandatory monthly staff meetings, our receiving doors will open at 2 p.m. instead of the normal 10 a.m. on the following days - September 16, October 21, November 18, and December 16. To verify our receiving hours, please call 210-226-7461 the day before during our regular operating hours (12-7 p.m.).
The San Antonio Humane Society (SAHS) the only large public intake shelter in San Antonio to have regularly scheduled intake days for individuals attempting to find placement for owned, lost, or stray pets. We are a nonprofit, no-kill organization that does not euthanize for space. We regularly operate near or at capacity. This means we are only able to receive dogs and cats as others are adopted and space becomes available.
In order to be eligible for intake, all surrendered pets must be at least 8 weeks old and weigh at least 2 pounds. Additionally, in order to protect our animal population from potential contagious diseases, your surrendered pet must also be free of any nasal discharge, eye discharge, and hair loss.
All animals are vaccinated upon intake, and will be spayed/neutered before going home to their new adopters. All potential pet owners are screened and interviewed prior to adoption in order to find the best fitting home for every pet.
Intake procedure and fees depend on the species, weight, and age of the pet.
Click links below for intake procedures for your pet:
- Puppies & Small Dogs (Under 20lbs)
- Medium to Large Dogs (Over 20lbs)
- Cats & Kittens
- Returning an SAHS Adopted Pet?
- Transferring a Pet from another Animal Organization?
Surrender Fees:
In order to help offset the cost of pet care while in the shelter, we require a receiving fee at the time of surrender. This fee is based on the pet’s age, species, and any additional required testing.
Puppies/Kittens under 4 months of age: $5 or $25/litter
Puppies/Dogs over 4 months of age: $25
Kittens/Cats over 4 months of age: $15
Additional Fees:
Required Parvo Test for puppies under 1 year old: $25/test (pricing varies for litters)
Are appointments required to surrender a pet?
Appointments are only required if you are attempting to Return a pet, Transfer an animal from another organization, or Surrender a dog over 20lbs. See below for contact info. Please note, an e-mail request does not guarantee an appointment or intake.
Surrendering a dog over 20lbs?
Please email
receiving@SAhumane.org and follow the instructions included in the auto-response.
Returning an animal previously adopted from the SAHS?
Please contact the front desk by emailing
adoption@SAhumane.org or calling 210-226-7461. Please provide a detailed reason why you are returning your pet in your email request.
Transferring an animal from another animal shelter, rescue group, or animal hospital?
Please email
transfer@SAhumane.org.
Intake Process:
Puppies - Small Breed Adult Dogs (under 20lbs) – Cats – Kittens
Open intake for puppies, small breed adult dogs, cats, and kittens are held Mondays, and Fridays beginning at 10 a.m.* at the SAHS. Please note, Medium to Large breed dogs (over 20lbs) are not received at this time.
We are able to receive animals on a first come, first served basis until all available space has been filled or until 2 p.m. (whichever comes first).
In order to be eligible for intake, all surrendered pets must be at least 8 weeks old and weigh at least 2 pounds. Additionally, in order to protect our animal population from potential contagious diseases, your surrendered pet must also be free of any nasal discharge, eye discharge, and hair loss.
Specific circumstances for cats!
Any declawed cat can only be taken in under these circumstances:
- The cat MUST be friendly.
- The owner MUST be able to reclaim if the cat starts having difficulty adapting to the shelter.
Any female cat 7-9 lbs or over, and male cat over 10 lbs can only be taken in under these circumstances:
- The cat MUST be friendly.
- The owner MUST be able to reclaim if the cat starts having difficulty adapting to the shelter.
- We MUST have room in a sunroom.
Why is this rule in effect: Large cats have difficulty fitting into the cat kennels in the shelter. All cats need a certain amount of room to move comfortably and need room away from their litterbox, room to hide, and room to stretch out and climb. Our kennels do not accommodate these larger cats. Therefore we MUST have room available in a sunroom in order to be able to take them. We won't subject these cats to more stress than necessary.
Please be aware: space is limited! We strongly suggest arriving early. If all intake space has been filled before your animal is evaluated, you must try again on the next receiving day or consider another shelter for receiving.
Medium or Large Breed Adult Dogs (over 20lbs)
Those looking to surrender medium to large breed dogs over 20lbs must have an appointment in order to be considered. Please email receiving@SAhumane.org and follow the instructions included in the auto-response. An e-mail request does not guarantee intake.
In order to protect our animal population from potential contagious diseases, the pet you’re attempting to surrender must be free of any nasal discharge, eye discharge, hair loss, rashes, and scabs. They must also be able to pass a basic temperament test. This means the pet must be able to live with other dogs and be non-aggressive towards animals or humans.
If you are attempting to RETURN a pet previously adopted from the SAHS, please contact our front desk by emailing adoption@SAhumane.org or calling 210-226-7461.
Intake Surrender Forms
To help ensure your visit runs as smoothly and quickly as possible, please download and fill out the proper forms below before arriving at the shelter:
Stray Surrender Form
Owned Cat Surrender Form
Owned Dog Surrender Form
