People surrender their pets to Longmont Humane Society for many reasons. They relocate, develop allergies, or there is a change in the family situation that does not allow proper care of the family pet. Whatever the reason, please first call us at 303-772-1232 ext. 1 and ask for advice before bringing your pet to the shelter. We will offer input, referrals, or helpful hints over the phone that may allow you to continue living with your pet.

Because LHS is an open-admissions shelter, we are almost always at capacity, so we ask that you put forth every possible effort to find a suitable home for your pet. If you believe that surrendering your pet is the only option, LHS will help you with the surrendering process. If we are at capacity we may not be able to take your pet right away and may ask you to keep the pet until space becomes available.

Surrender Process

  • Please make an appointment by calling 303-772-1232 ext. 1
  • The process takes time! Be prepared to talk with a staff member when surrendering your pet so that we may collect as much background information as possible – this is crucial in helping us rehome your pet.
  • Please bring your pet to the shelter yourself. Only the owner of record can surrender an animal. Owner information will also be very helpful in placing your animal in a home that matches your pet’s needs. You will be asked to fill out a profile about your pet.
  • Bring veterinary records. Your pet will be placed more successfully if we have full disclosure of all medical records. Also, this saves the expense and potential over-vaccination of your animal.
  • Please DO NOT leave your pet outside the shelter when the facility is closed. This can be VERY dangerous to your pet’s well-being to leave them unattended and with no protection.
  • You are welcome to donate your pet’s supplies and toys – we will make every effort to insure they are sent with your pet upon adoption.
  • Bring a form of payment. A fee is required to surrender your animal to help defray the considerable cost we incur in caring for him/her, and additional donations of money or supplies are always welcome. We can accept cash, Visa, Mastercard, or Discover – we do NOT accept checks. In rare cases we may be able to waive the fees.
  • Animals must pass a behavioral and medical evaluation to assess their suitability for adoption. We make every effort to assist each animal in becoming an adoption candidate. In the event your animal does not meet the criteria for adoption, he or she may be humanely euthanized if we have exhausted all resources available to us.

Fees for Surrender

The required surrender fees for surrender fees for dogs and cats from Longmont or Firestone are:

  • $50 per first animal
  • $40 per second animal
  • $30 per third animal, and an additional $30 for every additional animal

Surrender Fees for litters of puppies/kittens with or without the mother from within Longmont or Firestone city limits:

$40 per first animal (mother or puppy/kitten)
$30 per second animal
$20 per animal after the first two animals

Surrender fees for small mammals/birds from within Longmont or Firestone city limits:

  • $25 per rabbit, guinea pig, hamster, mouse or rat
  • $30 per bird (must be banded)

We do not generally accept reptiles or birds (unless banded). Please contact us if you need a resource for your pet reptile or bird.

Please note: Stray animals and owner surrenders from the city of Frederick are served by a private facility. Please contact the Frederick Police Department for information.

We do not generally accept birds or reptiles.  Please contact us if you need a resource for your pet bird or reptile.

We accept Visa, Master Card, Discover, Cash, or Money Order*
*We do not accept checks*
Fees subject to change at the shelter’s discretion.