Pet Surrender Process

HIGHLAND HUMANE SOCIETY
At The Highland Humane Society, we understand that sometimes circumstances change, and pet owners may need to find a new home for their beloved cats and dogs. While we do accept owner surrenders, it's important to note that we operate on a waitlist due to capacity constraints.
We understand that surrendering a pet is a difficult decision, and we're here to support you through this process. Our goal is to ensure the best possible outcome for both you and your pet.

Our Intake Policy

 

Please be aware that The Highland Humane Society is a managed intake facility. This means we assess our ability to take in surrendered animals on a case-by-case basis and cannot guarantee immediate acceptance of every animal.

 

For Cat or Kitten Surrenders:

 

  • Fill out the owner surrender form
  • Expect a response via email within 2 business days.
  • Keep in mind our operating hours: 12-5 PM, 
    Tuesday through Saturday.
  • Cats and kittens must undergo an in-person assessment for surrender approval into our adoption program, with a surrender fee.
  • Please contact us at 937-393-2110 or send us a message on Facebook to inquire about availability.

 

For Dog Surrenders:

 

  • Fill out the owner surrender form
  • Expect a response via email within 2 business days.
  • Keep in mind our operating hours: 12-5 PM,
       Tuesday through Saturday.
  • Dogs over 4 months old must undergo an in-person assessment for surrender approval, with a fee applicable. Stray dogs are managed by Dog Wardens.
  • To surrender cats or kittens, send a Facebook message or email to highcohumanesociety@gmail.com with photos and details. We prioritize indoor-owned cats and kittens due to their higher adoptability and difficulty surviving outdoors if abandoned. Kittens adapt easily to indoor living. Outdoor or found adult cats require assessment. Surrender fees apply.

How Does Rehome Work?

 

  • If we do not have availability, you may consider using Adopt a pet to rehome your animal on your own.
  • Create a Profile: Share details about your pet to attract the right adopter.
  • Screening Process: The platform guides you through selecting a responsible adopter, including what questions to ask and how to evaluate applications.
  • Adoption Fee: The adopter pays a fee, which you can choose to donate to a rescue organization, including ours.
Alternative Rehoming Solution
For immediate assistance in rehoming your pet, we recommend using the following resource: Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet. This service allows you to create a detailed profile for your pet, similar to those we use for our adoptable animals. Your pet's profile will be accessible to millions of potential adopters, significantly increasing the chances of finding a suitable new home.
Surrendering Stray and Community Cats

Community and stray cats are those that live free, without owners, within our neighborhoods. While some of these cats and kittens can transition into adoptable pets, many are not suited for the confines of a shelter environment.


Understanding the Needs of Community Cats

Cats who have lived outdoors and kittens born to outdoor parents often struggle with the transition to an indoor, caged environment. For these cats, the loss of their freedom to roam can lead to stress-related health issues, loss of appetite, or even aggressive behavior. Once a cat enters our care, we cannot simply release it back into the community if the transition proves too difficult.


Our Approach

To ensure the best outcomes for these animals:


  • We conduct in-person assessments to determine whether a cat or kitten is a good candidate for our adoption program.
  • For cats that are not well-suited for indoor living, we will work with you to explore alternative solutions, such as Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs or placement in safe outdoor environments like barn cat programs.

Supporting Our Efforts

We ask for a small donation when surrendering stray or community cats and kittens. This contribution helps cover the significant costs of fully vetting and preparing the animals we take in for adoption.


How We Help

Our goal is to support community cats in ways that are best for their health and happiness. While not all cats can thrive in our adoption program, we’re committed to working with you to find the best possible solutions for these deserving animals.


For Stray Cat and Kitten Surrenders: