Need to rehome or surrender your pet? There are options!
IMPORTANT: If you think you might need to surrender your pet, or would like to discuss other options please first call our Caregiving Department at 920.424.2128 (choose #2 then #1) to discuss your situation. We schedule all surrenders to ensure a staff person is available to best serve you and your animal.
Due to overwhelming demand and space constraints, you may be put on a waiting list. Please consider listing your pet on our Community Rehoming Page, local rehoming pages on social media such as Facebook, or local apps such as Nextdoor. Please scroll down for tips on how to rehome your pet successfully, and responsibly, on your own.
Are you unable to keep your animal?
We understand there are many reasons a person can no longer care for an animal – whether the situation is temporary or permanent. Before making the decision to rehome or surrender consider the following:
Surrendering Your Pet to OAHS
Oshkosh Area Humane Society (OAHS) understands there are sometimes circumstances preventing you from keeping your pet. OAHS is here to help you; whether it means surrendering your pet to us, offering advice, or referring you to other resources. If you adopted your pet from the Oshkosh Area Humane Society (OAHS) we do ask that you please return the pet to OAHS. Please call our Caregiving Department at 920.424.2128 option 2, then option 1 if you want to discuss surrender and/or alternatives.
Rehome, from your home!
List Your Pet on the OAHS Local Pet Rehoming Page
OAHS hosts a rehoming page on our website where you can post your pet for adoption. Nobody knows your pet better than you! You can provide the best description of their personality and pictures of them in a home setting. Additionally, you would be most knowledgeable when talking to a potential new owner about whether the animal would be a good fit for them.
Rehoming your pet this way allows them to stay at home in comfortable surroundings while you select the home that you think will be the best for them. This also leaves one more opening at OAHS for those animals without someone to advocate for them. OAHS does recommend pets be spayed or neutered and current on their rabies vaccination before rehoming them.
Complete the OAHS Rehome Your Pet Form to list your pet on our Community Pets page on our website
Tips for writing your pet’s rehoming listing
List Your Pet on a National Pet Rehoming Website and Social Media
Social media is also an option for posting your animal(s). There are many local Facebook groups dedicated to pet rehoming.
Rehoming Your Pet Responsibly
Breed-Specific Rescues
There are many breed-specific rescues in our state and region. If you have a specific breed of animal search online for “(Breed) rescue of Wisconsin” and you’ll get a list of rescues to contact. Many breed specific rescues are foster-based so your animal will not have to spend time in a shelter setting.