Surrender a Pet

Resources to Consider Before Surrender

GOODPUP DOG TRAINING OFFER

We are excited to announce that our shelter has partnered with GoodPup to provide our adopters, fosters, and community members access to convenient and affordable positive reinforcement dog training. 

With GoodPup, you get private, one-on-one dog training over live video calls. Their trainers use science-based, positive reinforcement methods to teach cues, address unwanted behaviors, and socialize dogs. And, between training sessions, you have access to the GoodPup chat room where you can get additional training, behavior and medical support. Over 50,000 dogs have trained with GoodPup, making it one of the largest training platforms in the country.

Through this partnership, eligible participants will receive one free week of training plus and a discount for life! To learn more and for information on how to sign up, check out the flyer or visit https://links.goodpup.com/shelter/RISPCA

GoodPup will also donate to the Rhode Island SPCA for each person who signs up for GoodPup Training. These donations help us continue our lifesaving work!

Making a Surrender Appointment

Here at the Rhode Island SPCA, we understand that parting ways with your pet can be especially difficult and we’re committed to working with you to ensure the best possible solution for you and your pet.

All animals being surrendered for adoption must be in relatively good health and not have bitten a person or another animal within the last fourteen days. They should be free of major medical and behavioral problems. If your dog, for example, resource guards (snaps at people or animals if approached when eating, etc.), this may be something we can work on with our dog trainers, however, you must be forthcoming with such information.

We are not a city or state shelter that accepts strays. We accept owned pets for which people can no longer care for. We encourage someone who finds a stray animal to contact their local animal control officer since that is where an animal is more likely to be reunited with its owner.

Surrenders must be made by the owner of the pet, or that owner must have provided written permission for the pet to be surrendered to the Rhode Island SPCA.

Every effort is made to find a good home for animals that are relinquished to us. Our staff and volunteers interact daily with all of the animals to help them transition to the shelter environment. We have no time limit on how long animals are held at the shelter. 

PLEASE NOTE — Our dog intakes are currently on pause until the new year.

Our Surrender Process

Please complete a Surrender Profile for your animal(s) and we will connect with you as soon as possible. The profile helps us to better understand your pet(s) and their unique situation and individual needs. Please be as thorough and honest as possible. Thank you!

PLEASE NOTE: These are very challenging times for animal shelters across the nation. We, like many other shelters, are receiving an unprecedented number of pet surrender requests each and every day. The estimated wait time for pet surrender intake is several weeks to several months. If you need to surrender your pet, please begin planning for this process with as much advance notice as possible and inquire with all other organizations and rescue groups in your area. Some local animal controls/municipal shelters will accept surrenders so check with your city or town first. Other non-profit rescue shelters that also accept surrenders include Providence Animal Rescue League, Potter League, and Animal Rescue Rhode Island. We sincerely thank you for your understanding! 

Surrender Fees

Dog or Puppy $60
Cat or Kitten $35
Litters of 3+ Kittens $50
Rabbits $25
Exotic and Small Animals $15

* All payments must be made at the time of relinquishment.
** No animal will be turned away if the owner cannot afford the surrender fee. Please speak with us if you are unable to pay as we may be able to waive or reduce it on a case by case basis.

FOR THE APPOINTMENT

  • Surrenders must be made by the owner of the pet, or that owner must have provided written permission for the pet to be surrendered to the Rhode Island SPCA.

  • A valid driver’s license or state photo ID is required with all surrenders.

  • Dogs must arrive on leash and cats/small animals must be confined in a carrier.

  • We accept all forms of payment.

  • Any medical history, medications, and proof of vaccinations. If you would like to have your pet’s medical records sent to us, your vet can fax them to us at (401) 415-8054.