Rehome an Animal

The decision to rehome your pet is a difficult one. You are uniquely suited to finding your pet the best new home. We've provided some tips to help you on your rehoming journey.

Tips on rehoming your pet:

  • Be patient! Finding the best home for your pet can take weeks to months. Remember, the right home is worth the wait!
  • Take chard by spreading the word about your pet. Network your pet with friends, family, and coworkers. Harness the power of social media and neighborhood apps to share this information far and wide.
  • Increase your pet's adoptability by spaying or neutering, grooming, and making sure vaccines are up to date. This not only improves your pet's health, but also increases the chance your pet will find a great home!
  • List your pet on a rehoming website. Remember, you are your pet's best advocate! Animals posted to Rehome by Adopt a Pet will be featured on the MCASAC website as courtesy listings. Please use the code RCXHAQTL2U8AD8Z to post to Adopt a Pet for free. Animals posted on Home to Home are also featured on MCASAC's website. Another site to try is Rescue Me! 
    • If you have an interested adopter, it's up to you to ensure your pet's safety (you don't need to be an adoption agency to do this!). Ask detailed questions to make sure it is a suitable home (do they have other pets? Are their pets spayed/neutered and up to date on vaccines?). Make sure the home will match and always be honest about your pet. Share your expectations for what you are looking for with your pet's new family. If you wish to stay in touch with your pet's new family, make that clear up front.
    • Hold the initial meeting in a public place.

If you are struggling with your pet's behavior, please email our Behavior Team for support! We're here to help you keep your pet by walking you through common behavior issues and offering solutions for management. This resource is free! Don't give up hope, help is here!

Browse through our Behavior Resources  or Financial Resources  sections to find ways to address specific behavior issues or for helpful information regarding pet food assistance, medical care assistance, housing, insurance, and more.

If you adopted your pet from another shelter or rescue, please contact them and make arrangements to return your animal.

Surrendering your pet to MCASAC should be a last resort. Never abandon your animal. MCASAC is an open-admissions organization, and we will accept any animal belonging to a Montgomery County resident for any reason. Still, we require owners to make an appointment with the shelter to ensure available space.

If you are facing a crisis such as eviction, homelessness, or domestic violence, you may be eligible for our Safekeep Program which provides temporary assistance for pets.

Appointments are required to surrender animals.

To schedule an appointment, please call 240.773.5666.
 
The Montgomery County Animal Services & Adoption Center is an open-admission organization. Despite our best efforts, some animals cannot be placed due to behavior and/or medical issues. Because of this, euthanasia may be the most humane outcome for certain animals.