Surrender a Pet

Surrendering a pet is never an easy decision and we hope that the following information will be helpful to you. Please know that if you find you are no longer able to keep your pet, you have options.  

Surrendering a Pet

Schedule Your Appointment

You must have an appointment to surrender your pet. Only Loudoun residents may surrender a pet to Loudoun County Animal Services (LCAS). Pet owners must be 18 years or older to surrender a pet. To surrender your pet please take the following steps:

  1. Fill out the online surrender form.
  2. List your pet on Home-to-Home - Home To Home is a platform that connects people looking to rehome their pets with interested adopters. Placing your pet directly into a new home is much less stressful than staying in the shelter environment. 
  3. Complete a personality profile 

After you have completed the online forms, a staff member will be in touch with you within 24 hours to discuss surrender and retention options and to set up a surrender appointment. 

At Your Appointment

Please be ready to bring proof of ownership to your scheduled surrender appointment. 

  • Bill of sale or a written transfer of ownership
  • County license
  • Microchip registration
  • Veterinary records or a rabies vaccination certificate
  • Breed registry

Alternatives to Surrendering
If you are thinking about surrendering your pet, please first consider using the following resources:

  • Notify friends, family members, neighbors and coworkers that you need to find a new home for your pet. More often than not, this type of networking can have very positive results. Plus, you may even get to visit on occasion if you find your pet a new home within your social network.
  • Contact a rescue group about taking your pet. 
  • If your pet is having behavioral challenges, speak with your veterinarian to ensure the problem is not due to an unknown medical condition. Alternatively, pet behaviorists (different than a trainer) can also assist you. Our team includes a pet behavior specialist and we are also happy to help you access behavior and training resources.
  • If you rent and need assistance with pet friendly housing, there are many options! Use websites tailored to the needs of pet owners, such as PeoplewithPets.com. There you will be able to search for "pet friendly" apartments in various communities, in your target price range, and with the amenities you specify.
  • If you have allergies, have a conversation with your doctor. Pet allergies are a common problem. The good news is that  your allergist or veterinarian may be able to recommend many helpful products and tips to "lose" the allergies, rather than your pet.

Behavior Assistance

Need assistance with behavioral challenges? Contact us at 703-777-0406. 

After Surrendering a Pet

LCAS is an open admission shelter, which means we accept every pet regardless of health, age, breed or temperament. We are also committed to reducing euthanasia through innovative approaches to animal sheltering and community-supported initiatives such as fostering and transfer partnership programs. 

All pets are assessed for their health and behavior before they can be adopted. Although we strive to help every pet find a new home, LCAS is committed to balancing the welfare of pets with our responsibility to the public. We recognize that not all pets are suitable for placement and will make every effort to find alternative outcomes. Humane euthanasia is always a last resort once all other options have been exhausted. Once a pet is placed for adoption, there is no time limit on their stay.