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URGENT ALERT:

We are currently not accepting any owner surrendered animals who were not originally adopted from Valley Animal Haven
 

  • Behavior Issues? Contact a professional trainer or behaviorist to help you work through challenges.

  • Needing Spay/Neuter Services? Reach out to one of the MANY low cost spay/neuter clinics, or your trusted veterinarian for an appointment..

  • Having a Litter of Puppies/Kittens? Congratulations! Ensure they are spayed/neutered and find them good homes. And get the parents fixed (it's the law!)

  • Don't Have Time? Make time - even just one hour a day is better than uprooting them into a world of uncertainty.

  • Moving to a New Home? Find a pet-friendly place that will welcome your furry friend.

    THERE ARE SOLUTIONS!

SURRENDERING AN ANIMAL TO US

Valley Animal Haven believes that all animal companions are lifelong friends and family members. We recognize that sometimes, life gives us circumstances in which we can no longer keep a pet.

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We hope that you consider utilizing every resource available before deciding to surrender an animal. Please feel free to contact us and review the information in the Resources Section to see how we can help you keep your companion in your home.

Valley Animal Haven will NOT consider any dog surrender requests without a Certificate of Basic Obedience.

DO'S & DON'TS OF SURRENDERING AN ANIMAL

DOs

  • Try to place the animal with a trusted family member or friend, one who you are confident will love and care for your pet properly and will keep you informed of its welfare. Be sure the friend or relative understands the commitments of time and resources your pet requires and that they would like the pet because it will be a good fit for their home. (Shelters receive many pets from people who knew the previous owners and wanted to help them by taking a pet, but did so without realizing the efforts involved in keeping the animal)

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  • Call your local animal shelter or humane society first if you live outside of Kings County. 

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  • Call Valley Animal Haven for resources to help keep your furry friend in your home! 

DON'Ts

  • Do not drop your pet off in the fields or countryside, assuming that it can take care of itself. Pets lack the skills to survive on their own and may die of starvation or injury.
     

  • Do not abandon your pet in a house or apartment you are moving out of, thinking that someone will find it. This doesn't always happen.

    • REMEMBER: Abandoning a pet is cruel and illegal under CA Penal Code 597s.​
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  • Do not give your pet away to a stranger. You don't know if that person is a responsible owner or even honest. Pets that end up in the wrong hands may be abused, used in potential dog fighting situations or sold to research laboratories.

What is the Process?

Valley Animal Haven has a process in place to accept owner-surrendered animals on a case-by-case basis. We prioritize our animal intakes for animals at risk of euthanasia in kill-shelters throughout the Central Valley of California.

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Please note a surrender fee is required for EACH animal, in order to offset the costs of care required to put an animal up for adoption.

01

Complete the Surrender Questionnaire

Please complete the questionnaire and email us all the information requested.

Intake requests that do not have this form will NOT be responded to!

02

Once we receive your Surrender Request, we will review it as quickly as possible and advise you of our decision.

Our intake staff may request additional information or documentation.

Valley Animal Haven will NOT consider any dog surrender requests without a Certificate of Basic Obedience.

03

Temperament Evaluation

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Some animals will require a temperament evaluation to ensure that your animals will be a good fit for our kennels.

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Our intake staff will review this with you if an evaluation is necessary.

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Once your request is approved, an appointment will be made for you to bring the animal in.

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If you cannot surrender your animal by the appointment date, you may forfeit your opportunity for surrender.

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A surrender fee will apply. The intake staff will inform you of what your surrender fee will be.

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  • Why do I have to pay a surrender fee?
    Valley Animal Haven is a non-profit, private animal shelter. We do not rely on Federal, State or Municipal funding to keep our doors open. The surrender fee covers some costs associated with the care of your pet while they are looking for their forever home. Costs will cover: 1. Food and Kennel Expenses 2. Vaccinations 3. Spay or Neuter 4. Microchipping 5. Flea and Tick Prevention 6. Deworming
  • Will you take a litter of puppies or kittens?
    Litters of puppies or kittens are taken in on a space available basis. Please contact the office for additional information.
  • Can I just bring my dog or cat in?
    No. Valley Animal Haven takes owner surrendered animals by appointment only. Please complete a questionnaire to begin the process of surrendering your animal. We prioritize bringing in animals from municipal animal control agences. These animals have run out of time to be adopted and could face euthanasia if we cannot intervene.
  • Why do I need to schedule an appointment for a temperament evaluation for my dog?
    Our Kennels are communal living spaces. A temperament evaluation will allow us to determine if your dog will get along with its potential kennel mates. It also gives us an opportunity to determine if the animal will get along with our Staff and Volunteers.
  • My dog or cat can be aggressive. Will you accept them?
    No. Our kennels are communal living environments. Therefore, we cannot accept aggressive or terrirorial animals. This is to ensure the safety of our Staff, Volunteers and our Animal Companions. Kennel living can be a very stressful environment. Especially if the pet has not been properly socialized and dislikes being around other animals or sharing their personal space. If your animal does not pass a temperament evaluation, we would be unable to accept your animal into our facility.
  • I am being told you are full. Can I placed on a waiting list?
    We do not offer a waiting list for owner surrendered animals. We prioritize rescuing animals at risk of euthanasia at municipal animal control agencies. Because of this, our kennel space fluctuates on a daily basis.
  • I adopted my animal from Valley Animal Haven. Can I bring it back?
    Valley Animal Haven will always try to accept our animal back into our facility. Please contact our office immediately to ensure that we can make space for our animal to return to our facility.
  • I adopted my animal from another rescue. Will you take my animal?
    We require that you contact the rescue you adopted your animal from to see if they are willing to accept your animal, first. Many adoption agencies state that the animal must be surrendered back to them if you can no longer care for the animal. If you do not receive a response or your request was denied, please complete a surrender questionnaire to begin the surrender process.
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