Giving Up Your Pet

How to Surrender a Pet

• Pets (living or deceased) can be surrendered by their owners.
• To schedule an appointment to surrender a pet, call 311 between 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. so that you can be transferred to the appropriate shelter.
• Animal shelters are open to the public by appointment only for emergencies, adoption, pet redemption, pet surrender and fostering.

The Surrender Process

• You can surrender an animal at any of our shelters, by making an appointment, regardless of where you live in Toronto.
• Owners should provide proof of ownership for the animal if possible (e.g. adoption papers, veterinary records) and proof that they live in Toronto (photo ID if possible).
• Owners will be required to sign documentation transferring ownership of the animal to the City. Owners may be required to fill out an Animal History Form at the time of their appointment.
• Bring all records (medical history, rabies and/or sterilization certificate, etc.) to scheduled appointment.
• Once ownership is signed over, the final outcome decision (adoption, transfer to rescue group or euthanasia) will be made by the City and you will not be advised of the outcome.

Surrender Fees

* Additional fee for non-resident: $50

* If you are a Toronto resident who can show proof of an annual household income of less than $50,000, fees may be reduced or waived.