Pet Surrender (Intake)

LHS Surrender Process

Lake Humane Society accepts owner-surrendered animals by appointment only to ensure we have the space and resources to provide proper care. To begin the process, please complete a Surrender Form, and our Intake Coordinator will contact you. Scroll down for more details on surrender guidelines and procedures.

For injured cats, please call 440-951-6122 ext. 100. After hours (after 5 PM), contact your local police department or take the animal to an emergency vet for immediate care.

Explore Alternatives to Surrender

We understand that deciding to part with your pet can be incredibly difficult. Before surrendering, we encourage you to explore every option available to help your pet find a new home in a comfortable, familiar way.

Have you reached out to trusted friends, family, or coworkers who may be able to help? Have you tried posting on social media or using trusted rehoming programs that connect pet owners directly with adopters?

Taking a few extra steps can help reduce stress for both you and your pet, and may even help them transition directly into a loving new home without entering the shelter.

Click Here to Review our Rehoming Guide

How to Surrender Your Pet

Step 1: Complete the Surrender Questionnaire, providing as much information as possible—even if the pet is a stray. All fields must be filled out; if a question is unknown, please indicate so.

Step 2: After submitting the questionnaire, our Intake Coordinator will review it and reach out to discuss your pet. Lake Humane Society is a managed intake shelter, meaning we do not euthanize for time or space. We accept new pets by appointment only, based on availability.

Step 3: When space allows, our Intake Coordinator will schedule your surrender appointment. At this appointment, you will complete final paperwork before your pet enters our care. Please leave your pet in the car until paperwork is completed. Providing detailed and accurate information helps us find the best possible match for your pet’s new home.

Fill out a Surrender Questionaire

PLEASE NOTE: You MUST fill out every box in the surrender questionnaire or else we will not see your submission. Write "N/A" if wished to be left blank.

Stray Cat Surrender Questionnaire

Kitten Surrender Questionnaire

Small Animal Surrender Questionnaire

Cat Surrender Questionnaire

Dog Surrender Questionnaire

Lake Humane Society Surrender Fees:

Pet	Cost
Cat	$35
Litter of Kittens	$75
Dog	$50
Litter of Puppies	$100
Rabbits	$25
Other Small Animals	$15

These fees cover only a fraction of the care we will provide for your pet. We spay/neuter, microchip and vaccinate every cat and dog prior to adoption. Running solely on donations, we rely on surrender and adoption fees to cover the costs associated with pet care.

Types of Animals We Admit

Please note that we only accept animals from Lake County.

Personal Pet
Surrendering a personal pet can be a difficult decision. To start the process, please complete the intake questionnaire at the bottom of this page. If you have questions, contact LHS at 440-951-6122 ext. 100 or email our Intake Coordinator at intake@lakehumane.org.

Abandoned Animal
If you believe you’ve found an abandoned animal, call 440-951-6122 ext. 105 or email agent@lakehumane.org. Be prepared to provide details, including the animal’s description, location, and whether it has access to food and water.

Injured Cat
If you find an injured cat, safely contain it and contact LHS at 440-951-6122 ext. 100. After hours, contact local authorities for assistance.

Healthy Stray Cat or Kitten
If you’ve found a healthy stray cat or kittens, safely contain them and contact LHS at 440-951-6122 ext. 100. If the kitten is younger than 5 weeks old, please bring in during our visiting hours.

For cats, remember that it’s common for a mother cat to move her kittens to a safer location, which can sometimes appear as abandonment. If a kitten has been alone for more than 4 hours, contact LHS for guidance.

Important Reminder: If you find a stray cat, posting a picture on social media platforms like Nextdoor or Lake County Lost Pets on Facebook can help reunite lost pets with their owners.

Types of Animals We Do Not Admit

Healthy or Injured Stray Dogs, or Aggressive Dogs
If you have found a stray dog or your dog is lost, please contact the Lake County Dog Shelter at 440-350-2640. If you are unable to reach them, contact the local Police Department, who can assist in transporting the dog to the Dog Warden’s facility if needed.

Studies show the most successful reunions happen when owners search their neighborhood and pets return home on their own. You can help by taking a picture of the dog and posting it on social media platforms like Nextdoor or Lake County Lost Pets on Facebook.

Stray vs. Feral Cats
If you encounter a stray cat, please note that stray and feral cats are different. To learn more about the distinction, visit Alley Cat Allies – Stray vs. Feral Cats for more information.

What We Do

LHS Surrender Process

Explore Alternatives to Surrender

How to Surrender Your Pet

Fill out a Surrender Questionaire

PLEASE NOTE: You MUST fill out every box in the surrender questionnaire or else we will not see your submission. Write "N/A" if wished to be left blank.

Lake Humane Society Surrender Fees:

Types of Animals We Admit

Please note that we only accept animals from Lake County.

Types of Animals We Do Not Admit

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Closing Early 12/11