Animal Surrender
- Details
- Category: Services
Bringing Your Own Pet to Us
You must be a resident of Schenectady County to surrender your pet to the APF. You will be asked to show identification with your current address. We request a minimum donation of $25 for each animal in order to help offset the cost of care that your pet will receive. The average cost of care that we provide for each animal is $200. The APF relies on donations to operate the shelter and receives no government support.
We accept dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, guinea pigs, rabbits, gerbils, hamsters, rats, mice and ferrets. We are not equipped to shelter large animals, reptiles, or other exotic pets. For information on where to take these animals, please call us at (518) 374-3944, ext. 101.
Remember that when you bring any animal to the shelter, you give up ownership and rights to the animal. Temperament, health, age, and kennel space are all factors that will determine an animal’s adoptability.
Please note that while we remain committed to an “open admission” policy, due to the economy and other factors which have been bringing more unwanted animals to our doors, there are times when we are simply full. When this is the case, we will inform patrons that we have no space and ask them to consider holding on to the animal a bit longer until we can accommodate them.
We ask people to understand that when we are full and have more animals coming in than we can house, we are forced to make euthanasia decisions on the basis of space. We try to avoid this at all costs because it places us in the senseless and heart-wrenching position of essentially having to judge the value of one animal’s life over another simply due to the shortage of space. We reach out to area rescue groups in cases such as this, but we are not always able to find placement, especially when multiple animals are surrendered.
Our first priority is to accept owner-relinquished pets belonging to Schenectady County residents and stray cats brought in by residents. Next is to serve municipalities with whom we have sheltering agreements for stray dogs, and then to help with holding for abuse and neglect cases, including hoarding situations.
Sheltering and adoption will never be the solution to the pet overpopulation crisis, which is why expansion of our low-cost spay/neuter capabilities is a top organizational priority.
Is the APF a “No-Kill” Shelter?
The term "no-kill" is misleading. What it typically means is "limited access." Many "no-kill" organizations only take in animals that are adoptable, so that they will never be faced with the need to euthanize an animal that is not safe or healthy enough to rehome. In fact, many "no-kill" organizations have the same definitions for adoptable pets as we do. The difference is that we accept and provide sanctuary to any animal that comes through our doors. We believe that every animal, regardless of age, breed, condition or circumstance, should be treated equally. Therefore we do not pick and choose who to let in. We assess all animals for health and temperament, and those we can’t nurse back to health physically or mentally, we peacefully and respectfully euthanize. There is no “time limit” placed on an adoptable pet. As long as the animal remains healthy, good-tempered, and space is available, we will do everything we can to ensure that the animal is placed in a loving, permanent home.
Consider All Your Options
If the decision to give up your pet is based on behavioral issues, please consult your veterinarian or call the shelter for advice first. Perhaps training could help. Some behaviors are the result of a medical problem.
If you are giving up a pet because you are moving, please download our Pet-Friendly Rental List, which includes hundreds of rental properties where your pet will be welcome.
Ask family, friends and co-workers if they know of a good home for your pet. We advise against placing “free to good home” ads in the newspaper or using an online resource such as Cragislist. For the sake of your pet, please do all you can to ensure placement with committed and caring owners. It is all too easy to put your pet at risk by being too willing to give away or sell him to a stranger who may not be honest about their intentions for your pet.
You might also want to contact another shelter or rescue group, especially if you have a specific breed of dog, to see if they can help rehome your pet. Call us at (518) 374-3944, ext. 106 for a list of other organizations, or go to Petfinder for more options.
