FAQ > Owner Relinquishment
When an owner signs the surrender contract, they cannot return to reclaim that pet. Far more often than 9 times out of 10, the circumstances that brought an owner to the decision that they can no longer care for their pet have not significantly changed.
Before going up for adoption, we must assess every pet's health and temperament. If a pet's health is in decline with no hope of recovery or if a pet's temperament is beyond our means to rehabilitate and poses a potentially dangerous threat to our friends, families, and neighbors in our community, the staff may make the decision that euthanasia is in the best interest of the animal and the community at large. Check out the Pet Surrender FAQ for more on our standardized temperament assessments and the parameters for quality of life that we wish to preserve for the pets in our care.
That’s part of why we encourage owners to use the R-H SPCA as a last resort. That said, previous owners are welcome to call (540-434-5270) or email (info@rhspca.org) to inquire about a relinquished pet.
When an owner signs the surrender contract, they cannot return to reclaim that pet. Far more often than 9 times out of 10, the circumstances that brought an owner to the decision that they can no longer care for their pet have not significantly changed.
Before going up for adoption, we must assess every pet's health and temperament. If a pet's health is in decline with no hope of recovery or if a pet's temperament is beyond our means to rehabilitate and poses a potentially dangerous threat to our friends, families, and neighbors in our community, the staff may make the decision that euthanasia is in the best interest of the animal and the community at large. Check out the Pet Surrender FAQ for more on our standardized temperament assessments and the parameters for quality of life that we wish to preserve for the pets in our care.
That’s part of why we encourage owners to use the R-H SPCA as a last resort. That said, previous owners are welcome to call (540-434-5270) or email (info@rhspca.org) to inquire about a relinquished pet.
