Surrender a Pet
To ensure we have a safe and appropriate place to house your pet, we admit animals by appointment. Though we take in your pet as soon as possible, there may be a waiting list due to the population currently in the shelter.
As a part of this community’s safety net for homeless animals, we depend on YOU—our community members—not only for our financial support, but also to partner with us in planning for our admissions so that we can find homes for as many animals as possible.
At the Animal Rescue League of NH, we understand that surrendering a pet is a very difficult decision. There often are many factors involved: change in financial circumstances, challenging behavioral issues, or other unforeseen circumstances. We are here to help.
We do everything possible to help each owner determine what the best course of action is for them and their pet. When an owner surrenders a pet, they are signing over ownership of the pet to ARLNH, so we can legally begin the process of finding the pet a new home.
We are able to provide pets the time they need to find a new home that suits them best—be it weeks or months—because we are a “limited admission” type of animal shelter. We limit the number of animals admitted to our shelter to only the amount we can house and have time to care for. This prevents us from having to make euthanasia decisions based on overcrowding or lack of resources. We actively serve the towns of Amherst, Auburn, Bedford, Brookline, Candia, Dunbarton, Francestown, Goffstown, Hollis, Hooksett, Litchfield, Londonderry, Lyndeborough, Manchester, Merrimack, Milford, Mont Vernon, New Boston, Peterborough, Wilton, and Windham.
To start the process of surrendering your pet, please click the appropriate link below. Please note: each link will give you the option to add multiple animals. If you need to surrender more than one dog/cat/rabbit please follow the link for each one. You will have to wait for the review of the first form before being able to fill out an additional one (please reference that you are needing to surrender more than one pet in the comments section of the form).
Once we have received and reviewed the form, a member of our team will reach out to discuss your pet further and plan for the next steps. In the meantime, we recommend calling your pet’s veterinarian to request that your pet's medical records be faxed to us at 603-471-9036 or emailed nstevens@rescueleague.org.
Thank you for entrusting your pet into our care.
We will do our very best to assist you and give your pet the best chance possible for a bright future.
End of Life Assistance
If your pet is in need of euthanasia—due to a terminal illness/end-of-life or a severe and unsafe behavioral conditions—and you do not have an established relationship with a local veterinarian or the service is cost-prohibitive, please email our Chief Operating Officer, Naomi Stevens at nstevens@rescueleague.org or call 603-472-3647 and Press 2 to discuss the situation.