We understand that surrendering a pet is a difficult and emotional decision. Before taking this step, please explore the information below. Many challenges can be solved with the right support, allowing you and your pet to stay together.
Before you decide to surrender
Many issues that lead people to consider surrendering a pet can improve with adjustments, support, or professional advice. The sections below outline common situations and practical solutions.
Common reasons and practical solutions
Allergies
If someone in your household shows allergy‑like symptoms, start by visiting your GP. They can confirm whether a pet is causing the reaction or if something else in the environment is responsible.
If pets do contribute to the symptoms, you can try several effective strategies:
- Clean and vacuum your home frequently
- Keep pets out of bedrooms and main sleeping areas
- Avoid allowing your pet to lick your skin and wash your hands after handling them
- Brush your pet outdoors to reduce loose hair inside the home
- Discuss allergy medication or long‑term treatment options with your doctor
These steps often make it possible to live comfortably with your pet
Travel or moving house
If you need to travel and cannot take your pet, ask trusted friends or relatives to pet‑sit. Boarding facilities and some veterinary clinics also offer short‑term stays.
If you are moving interstate or overseas, explore pet‑transport companies. Most pets cope well with travel, and short‑term stress from transport is usually far easier on them than losing their family and adjusting to a completely new home.
Consider delaying your move until you can afford safe transport or ask loved ones to help temporarily.
Rental restrictions
Before making any decisions, check your state’s pet‑rental legislation. Some states prohibit landlords from imposing blanket “no pets” rules or refusing pets without a valid reason. You may have rights that allow you to keep your companion animal.
Having a new baby
Pets often remain a valuable and loving part of the family when a baby arrives. With some planning, you can maintain safe routines while helping your child grow up with positive experiences around animals. Rehoming should not be the default when a new baby enters the home.
Vet bills
You may have more support than you realise. Options include:
- Vet Pay or other payment plans
- Asking rescue organisations for temporary support or helping run a fundraiser
- Reaching out to friends or family for short‑term assistance
These solutions can make urgent care more accessible and help you keep your pet
General bills (Food, Litter, Medication)
Some rescue groups offer temporary food supplies, litter, and essentials. This short‑term support can provide enough breathing room for you to stabilise your situation without giving up your pet.
Not enough time
You can keep your pet engaged and happy even during busy periods.
For dogs, try doggy daycare, dog walkers, puzzle toys, structured routines, and help from neighbours or family.
For cats, try automatic feeders, water fountains, window perches, climbing trees, and treat‑dispensing toys.
Dog‑specific issues
Barking
Dogs often bark because they feel bored, frustrated, or unstimulated. You can reduce barking by:
- Increasing daily exercise
- Adding mental enrichment (training games, puzzle feeders)
- Blocking visual triggers such as people walking past
- Scheduling more quality interaction
A vet or qualified trainer can also help identify underlying causes.
Escaping
Dogs usually escape because they feel anxious, bored, or under‑exercised. Strengthen your yard by checking fences, adding dig‑proof barriers, or installing a dog run. Daily exercise, toys, and training often reduce escape attempts. Desexing can also reduce roaming behaviour in entire dogs.
Toileting issues
Some dogs simply have not been taught where to go. Create a routine by taking your dog outside:
- First thing in the morning
- After meals
- After naps or play
- Before bedtime
Reward them immediately when they toilet in the correct place, supervise them indoors, and thoroughly clean accidents to remove lingering smells.
Unplanned or unwanted litters
Puppies need early socialisation and full veterinary care, including microchipping (a legal requirement), vaccinations, worming, flea treatment, and ideally desexing. Desex the mother two to three months after giving birth to prevent future unplanned litters.
Not Getting Along with Another Dog
You can improve household harmony by:
- Providing behaviour training
- Separating pets during meals
- Rotating access to different spaces
- Removing triggers such as toys or food bowls
- Considering desexing
A qualified behaviourist can help create a safe plan.
Aggressive behaviour
Aggression usually has a clear cause—fear, pain, frustration, or lack of socialisation. A professional trainer or behaviourist can help assess the situation and offer practical strategies.
If aggression presents serious safety risks and cannot be managed, rehoming may not be safe or ethical. In severe cases, euthanasia may be the most responsible and humane option to protect people and animals.
Cat‑Specific Issues
Toileting problems
Most toileting issues have an underlying cause. Check for medical issues such as bladder infections or UTIs. If your vet rules out medical causes, adjust the environment:
- Try different types of litter
- Move the tray to a quiet, accessible location
- Clean trays more often
- Add extra trays or switch to an automatic one
- Remove liners if your cat dislikes them
Biting
Some cats enjoy touch, while others prefer less physical contact. Watch how your cat communicates affection and respect their boundaries. If biting happens during play, redirect your cat to toys such as wand toys, cardboard boxes, or small rolling toys.
Scratching furniture
Scratching is natural and healthy. Provide scratching posts or mats and place them near the furniture your cat targets. Use catnip, treats, or play to encourage them to use the post. Avoid yelling or using spray bottles—these increase stress and do not solve the behaviour.
Not getting along with other cats
Slow introductions always produce better results. Provide each cat with separate resources and spaces. Offer vertical areas such as tall cat trees or shelves and consider calming products that help ease tension.
Unplanned litters
Kittens need daily gentle handling and exposure to normal household noises. Ensure they receive microchipping, vaccinations, and parasite treatment. Desex the mother as soon as safely possible to prevent future accidental litters.
Preparing to rehome your pet
If you still need to rehome your pet, taking a few extra steps can help you find a responsible and loving new home.
Step 1: Gather important information
- Vaccination history
- Medication and medical needs
- Desexing certificate
- Microchip number (registered to you before rehoming)
- Behaviour notes, routine, preferences, and care instructions
- Clear, high‑quality photos
- A short, honest bio explaining how your pet behaves with children, adults, and other animals.
Step 2: Ask people you know
Start with your trusted network. Friends, relatives, or colleagues may want to adopt or may know someone suitable.
Step 3: Contact a rescue organisation, breeder, or previous owner
Reputable rescue organisations and breeders usually accept animals back. If you purchased privately, it is worth asking if the seller can help.
Step 4: Advertise responsibly
If needed, use trusted rehoming services or community platforms. Include your pet’s best photos and honest information.
Step 5: Screen potential adopters
Ask questions such as:
- What is their experience with animals?
- Do they own or rent, and do they have permission for pets?
- What does their daily routine look like?
- Do they have other pets, and how will they manage introductions?
Arrange a meet‑and‑greet to see how they interact with your pet.
Step 6: Finalise the adoption
Provide:
- Microchip transfer
- Vet records
- Certificates
- Your pet’s bedding or favourite toys
Check in to support the settling‑in period if the adopter welcomes ongoing contact.
When to contact Council
If you have exhausted all other options, you may contact Council to discuss surrendering your pet.
Staff will assess the temperament and health of the animal to determine if it can be rehomed. They will also assess the capacity of the Animal Care Centre and team members to take on the animal. It is at the discretion of Council to accept a surrendered cat or dog.
If the Animal Care Centre decides to accept your cat or dog you must sign a form stating that you are the owner of the animal and that you are surrendering them to the council. Please provide proof of ownership, all medical history and veterinary paperwork, including vaccination history and any medication requirements. The voluntary surrender of a companion animal is subject to fees, which can be found in Council’s schedule of fees and charges.
AlburyCity Rangers
Council rangers may accept surrendered animals where there has been an alleged breach of the Companion Animals Act 1998. The Ranger will assess each case. It is at the discretion of Council to accept a surrendered cat or dog.
Note: Council cannot guarantee that a surrendered animal will be rehomed. Animals that cannot be rehomed may be euthanised. Please explore all other options before surrendering.
