Surrendering Your Pet

Attention: Frederick County Pet Owners Wishing to Surrender a Pet

Relinquishing a family pet to any shelter should be a last resort. 
We understand that making the decision to relinquish your pet is not an easy one.  What if there was a solution that allowed you to keep your pet in your loving home with the family your pet knows? 

We have resources in place that will help you resolve the most common reasons people surrender their furry, finned, and feathered members of their family.  If you are considering giving up your pet, you will be provided resources that will help you keep your pet part of your family—that’s a win-win for everyone!

The Frederick County Division of Animal Control takes in almost 3,000 animals each year.  We are doing our part to help keep pets with the people who love them by providing alternatives to surrender.  Please visit Project Hope to learn more about one of these alternatives.

Making the best decision for your pet and your family takes time and should include consideration of options and resources.  After considering alternatives to surrender, should you still want to relinquish your pet, you will need to make an appointment.

Making an appointment…

  • …SAVES ANIMAL LIVES by ensuring proper staffing and resources to care for your pet
  • …eliminates overcrowding of animals at the shelter, reducing the risk of disease and illness
  • …allows more personalized attention for animals exhibiting stress
  • …reduces euthanasia
  • …ensures adequate staffing to provide quality customer service at the point of intake for pet owners
  • …SAVES ANIMAL LIVES -- for all of the reasons listed above

Despite our best efforts, euthanasia may be the final outcome for your pet.  We don’t tell you this to upset you, but to be completely transparent and to allow you to make the best decision for your family and your pet.

If you have exhausted all options, you will need to bring the following to your appointment:

  • Photo identification showing proof of Frederick County residency
  • Any veterinary/vaccination records for your pet
  • A completed pet profile for each pet being surrendered
  • An understanding that we may not be able to rehome your pet

For the quickest response, please email us at intake@frederickcountymd.gov.  If you do not have access to email, please call 301-600-1855.