Surrendering an animal should never be taken lightly and should be treated as a last resort. However, the Montreal SPCA understands that due to special and sometimes heartbreaking circumstances, you can no longer keep or care for your companion. The SPCA withholds judgment and offers advice and recommendations to families, so they can keep their animal with them whenever possible.
Some people decide to leave their animals with us only to later regret their decision. Before you decide to give up your companion, take the time to consider all available options and do everything you can to keep them, especially since some of the reasons families give for abandoning their animals are not necessarily irrevocable. There are solutions that can allow you to keep your companion, but you may not be aware of them.
For every reason for abandonment, there is a solution:
If you still want or need to part with your companion, here are the steps to take:
- Reach out to others: Have you checked to see if anyone in your family, circle of friends or workplace would like to foster your animal? Don’t hesitate to spread the word on your social media accounts. Some groups, like Animaux à donner Québec, can help you find a new family for your animal. However, it’s important that your animal be sterilized beforehand and that you visit where the home of the people to whom you will be entrusting your companion to ensure their well-being.
- Areas the Montreal SPCA serves: If you have not found a new home for your animal, check to see whether the Montreal SPCA serves your municipality or borough. If not, you can contact your local city hall to get the contact information for your local animal control service, municipal pound or shelter. Please note that it is up to each borough or municipality to decide which organization they want to work with and not the other way around. Therefore, and unfortunately, the Montreal SPCA cannot accept animals from boroughs or municipalities with which it does not have a contractual agreement.
Animal Surrender Form
Surrendering an animal to the Montreal SPCA is done by appointment only. Please fill out the form below. However, if the situation is urgent (e.g., the animal or a person is in immediate danger or distress), contact us at 514 735-2711, extension 0.
Requests are handled on a priority basis, depending on the situation. Our team will contact you to set up an appointment. Please note that abandoning an animal at the Montreal SPCA is a last resort. You will be required to sign an abandonment contract, which stipulates that you waive all rights to the animal.
Please note that an abandonment fee applies. Once we have confirmed your animal’s eligibility, we will inform you of the amount due, the time slots available and any other terms and conditions, if applicable. The abandonment fee will go toward the cost of housing and caring for your animal.
