Please know that despite our best efforts, we are not able to find new homes for all animals turned in to our shelter each year. This is why we ask you, to please consider every alternative available to you before giving up your pet.
Wolfgang kept his first owner up all night and had energy to spare. He was returned to the shelter. Wolfie is now with a family who enjoys his kitten insanity.
Common Reasons for Surrender
Listed below are the most common reasons people turn in their animals as well as possible solutions.
Allergies
About 10% of the U.S. population has pet allergies and cats are among the most common culprits. But contrary to what you might think, it’s not the fur or hair that’s the real problem. People with cat allergies are really allergic to proteins in the cat’s saliva, urine, and dander (dried flakes of skin). Additionally outdoor cats can bring in pollen, mold or other allergens on their coats.
If you are worried about your child, recent studies point out that children raised in a house with two or more dogs or cats during the first year of life may be less likely to develop allergic diseases as compared with children raised without pets.
Try to lessen your symptoms, by trying these 10 common sense tips to reduce your cat allergy symptoms.
Before you surrender your pet, visit your doctor or allergist to confirm it is actually the source of your discomfort.
Behavior (including scratching, marking and inappropriate urination)
Cats are very sensitive to subtle 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 this cat behavior and ideas for addressing the issue.
Behavior Problems in Your Cat
Your pet does not know their habits are driving you cRazY. Most of what irks us, is natural behavior for our pet. These behaviors can be addressed— sometimes very simply. Be aware though, that some of these things may also be signs of illness.
Urine marking and Inappropriate Elimination: Did you know, urine marking is not the same as inappropriate elimination? You cat may have a medical problem rather than a behavior problem. Your first stop should be at your vet to determine the cause. Quick treatment may relieve your cat’s suffering and solve your problem without much anguish.
Best Friends Animal Society: Urine Marking in Cats
Best Friends Animal Society: Inappropriate Elimination in Cats
Destructive Scratching: A favorite chair is destroyed, but is that enough to get rid of your pet? Keep your cat and your furniture, here are some solutions:
http://pets.webmd.com/cats/guide/cat-scratching
Night Insanity: Will you ever get any sleep? Bouncy cats and kittens are hysterical during the day, but they can drive you into hysterics when they do it at night!
http://pets.webmd.com/cats/guide/nighttime-activity-cats
Here are some other tips to help you psych out your cat.
Best Friends Animal Society: Using Behavior Modification to Help Your Cat
Best Friends Animal Society: Preventing Behavior Problems
Housing
Sometimes it is difficult to locate housing, which allows you to move in with your pet. Before you give up, remember some landlords are open to discussion. Approach them with some ideas for how to make it work. Have a realtor keep an eye out for an appropriate place for you and your pet. They may be out there, you just aren’t looking in the right places.
Unwanted Litters
Because many owners are reluctant to spay or neuter their animal, unwanted litters are common place. Kitten season is from March to November. Shelters are the recipients of many of these small animals.
If your cat is older than 8 weeks, it should be spayed or neutered. If cost is an issue, check our Calendar for dates of local low-cost Spay/Neuter Clinics.
http://pets.webmd.com/cats/guide/spaying-or-neutering-your-cat-faq
Orphan Kittens
Many mother cats, hide their young. If you spot a nest of kittens in your area, don’t assume the mother is dead. Do not approach it but observe from a distance, the mother may return. Call us (or your local shelter).
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Cashmere and her sister Willow were surrendered to us because their elderly guardian, passed away.
Surrendering: What to Expect
If you have tried all your alternatives, or if you’re in a situation that there is no other solution but to surrender your pet, we are here for you.
If time allows, please call and make an appointment with our shelter manager or staff. We’d like to give you our full attention. We know this may not be easy for you or your pet.
If you could share some information about your pet, it would be helpful and may make it easier for us to find its new home.
Some information we’d like to know:
- The reason you need to surrender your animal
- Your pet’s personality
- Your pet’s medical or dietary needs (if any)
- Your veterinarian’s name and phone
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Surrender fees (per animal)
At this time, TARPS does not charge surrender fees. We’d appreciate if you would consider making a donation at the time of a surrender. Each animal we take in may cost us hundreds of dollars in food, medical and care. As an unaffiliated non-profit, our money comes from local and area community members. Your donation will keep us open and our services available to all.
Live vaccinated (licensed), spayed/neutered animal ………………..No Charge
Live non-vaccinated (licensed), not spayed/neutered animal……………….$00
Unweaned litter without mother …………………………………………………..$00
Unweaned litter with licensed mother * ………………………………………….$00
Unweaned litter with unlicensed mother*………………………………………..$00
Weaned letter under 4 months of age……………………………………..No Charge
*We strongly recommend the mother be surrendered with her litter. If you’d like, she will be returned once she’s weaned her litter and she is spayed.
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