You can surrender your dog for free or at low cost at certain animal shelters or rescue organizations, but many places do charge a surrender fee to cover care costs. Here are some options and considerations:
- MSPCA-Angell accepts owned animals and strays; you can bring your dog there if you cannot care for it, and they take surrenders
. They may accept surrenders without a fee, but you should contact them to confirm.
- Operation Kindness in Texas requires a surrender fee of $150 per pet to help cover care costs, so it is not free
- Joint Animal Services takes surrenders by appointment from residents of certain areas. They do charge a fee and require a release form and photo ID. They also encourage trying to rehome your pet directly using free websites like Home To Home™ or Rehome from Adopt-A-Pet to avoid shelter surrender
- Humane Society of Tampa Bay accepts surrenders but charges a fee ($50 for dogs). They cannot guarantee acceptance due to limited space
- Many shelters and rescues have surrender fees to cover vaccinations, medical care, and other expenses. Free surrender options are rare and often depend on local shelters’ capacity and policies
- To find a free or low-cost surrender option, contact local municipal shelters, humane societies, or no-kill rescues directly and ask about their surrender policies and fees. Some may waive fees in hardship cases or offer payment plans.
- Alternatively, consider rehoming your dog yourself through free online platforms such as Home To Home™ or Adopt-A-Pet’s Rehome service, which can be done without surrender fees and helps avoid shelter overcrowding
In summary, while some shelters accept dogs for free, most require a surrender fee. Calling local shelters and rescues to ask about fees, appointment requirements, and space availability is the best approach to find a free or affordable option near you. Also consider rehoming your dog privately to avoid fees and shelter stress.
