Your Government » Departments & Offices » Animal Care & Services » Services

Owner Surrender

Surrendering Pets

Our kennels are over capacity. Considering surrendering your pet? Please make every effort to rehome within your network. Check our resources below.

At this time, we can only accept sick, injured, or pregnant stray cats and kittens, and sick, injured, or pregnant stray pets. 

rehoming resources

If you are considering surrendering a pet, we recommend that YOU choose a new owner for your pet by featuring them on-line along with our available shelter pets. https://rehome.adoptapet.com/r/74730.

For other local surrender options, check out Humane Society Silicon Valley's resource pages.

Surrendering Pets for Euthanasia

If your pet is either unhealthy or unfriendly, you may surrender your pet for euthanasia. Please go to our Euthanasia Services page for information about surrendering pets for euthanasia.

Common Pet Problems

Please consider every alternative available to you before giving up your pet. Listed below are the most common reasons people turn in their animals as well as possible solutions. 

Reason Remedy
Allergies

Allergy sufferers also have access to many new products such as air purifiers and medications that were not previously available. The inconvenience of using these products is arguably worth the many rewards of having a loyal pet friend.
Behavior

This includes chewing, barking, etc. While you may not currently possess the knowledge or skill needed to correct these types of behaviors once they have developed, there are training guidebooks as well as many dog trainers available to help you correct these problems. To find certified training classes, trainers, and behaviorists log onto the following site:
Housing

It is difficult to find a place to lease or rent when you have a pet but with some leg work and persistence you can find them!
Soiling or Scratching (Cats)

Cats are sensitive to changes that often occur in a household. It is very frustrating to deal with a cat who suddenly stops using his or her litter box. Here are some useful resources about cat behavior:

 

FOUND A PET?

  • Our kennels are over capacity. Currently, we can only accept sick or injured found pets and pregnant cats.
  • If you found a stray dog in the incorporated cities of San José, Cupertino, Milpitas, or Saratoga please bring it to the shelter between 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • If you are unable to transport the animal or feel that to do so may endanger your safety -call us at 408-794-7297 to pick up the animal from you.
  • In order to give the pet you found the best chance of being reunited with its owner all stray animals will be photographed, recorded in our database, featured on our website and scanned for a microchip.
  • If after bringing the stray pet you found to the shelter for processing- you can elect to properly care for the animal at your home. It might also be helpful to post flyers around your neighborhood and/or in the area you found the animal.

After-Hours Animal Emergency Information

If you encounter an animal emergency outside of regular business hours, you may:

  • Call San José Police Non-Emergency line: 408-277-8900 or 911 if there is a public safety risk.
  • OR take the animal to any of the local 24/7 emergency veterinary clinics listed below.

Please note: The City of San José is not responsible for any charges incurred if you choose to take the animal to an emergency clinic.

Local 24/7 Emergency Veterinary Clinics in San José:

MedVet Santa Teresa

7090 Santa Teresa Blvd.
Phone: 408-649-7070

MedVet Dell

905 Dell Ave, Campbell
Phone: 408-371-6252

SAGE

907 Dell Ave, Campbell
Phone: 408-343-7243

VEG (Veterinary Emergency Group)

725 Ridder Park
Phone: 408-317-1626