Animal Surrendering

• Do you need some “pet-parenting” advice? Visit our Pet Resources page to view numerous handouts that were put together by the Humane Society of Missouri’s trained and certified behavior specialists. Get answers to common issues both cat and dog owners encounter like aggression, chewing, excessive energy, litter box issues and more.
• Moving? Finding “pet friendly” apartments can take a little more time, but today there are many options for people with pets. Try a web search to visit the many websites tailored to the needs of pet owners which save you time by allowing you to search for “pet friendly” apartments in various communities, in your target price range, with the amenities you specify.

There is NO FEE to surrender an individual animal or litters to the Humane Society of Missouri.

Since we receive no tax dollars, support from the United Way, HSUS or the ASPCA, please consider making a donation to help us care for the many animals in our shelters.

• If you find a stray, please make every effort to bring him or her to the local animal control for the area in which you found the animal before bringing it to HSMO. This will help ensure the best possible chance of the pet being reunited with his or her owner who may already be calling or visiting that shelter.
• Microchip scanning: You are welcome to bring any found animal to any HSMO location during regular business hours to have it scanned for a microchip.
• STL Lost Pets: You can browse a database of found animals, report a lost or found animal, and get tips for reuniting pets with their owners at stllostpets.org.
  STL Lost Pets is a collaboration of HSMO, the APA, St. Louis County Animal Control and St. Louis City Animal Control

The Humane Society of Missouri makes every effort to place healthy, friendly animals in new, loving homes. However, we cannot guarantee rehoming of your surrendered pet.

The placement of an individual dog, cat or other animal for adoption at our adoption centers is based on an evaluation of his or her health and temperament. Once we place an animal up for adoption, there is no time limit in which he or she can remain up for adoption.

Unsterilized pets are more likely to be surrendered due to related health or behavior (aggression, marking, roaming, etc.) reasons, or because they produce “unwanted” litters.

An estimated 3-4 million dogs and cats are euthanized each year in our country. Because there are more unwanted pets than available homes, each new litter of puppies, kittens, rabbits or other animals leads to the euthanasia of animals already waiting patiently for new homes.

Please spay or neuter your animals! Learn about our low-cost spay/neuter programs »