Please exhaust every available alternative before surrendering your pet to the shelter.
Take the following into consideration before making your decision:
The goal of the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri is to find loving homes for as many adoptable animals as possible.
Animals are evaluated for adoptability based on the Asilomar Accords and must meet our criteria for good health and good temperament.
If the animal meets our criteria and space is available, they will be placed in our adoption program.
Adoptable animals do not have a preset time limit. However, they must remain in good health, both physically and emotionally.
Make sure surrendering the animal is your final decision. By surrendering an animal to us, you are relinquishing all rights of ownership to the Humane Society and you will not be contacted in the future regarding the animal's disposition.
Please see the following common reasons for surrender below, and make sure you have tried the appropriate suggestions before making a final decision.
I'm moving and I can't take my pet with me.
Suggestions:
Locate a pet-friendly home
Find temporary housing or boarding until a pet-friendly home can be located
My pet is not housebroken.
Suggestions:
Check with a vet to rule out medical problems
Crate train your dog
Feed on a schedule instead of free feeding
Remove water at bedtime
Put a bell on your doorknob and train your dog to ring the bell to go outside
Use deterrent spray (found in pet stores)
Enlist the help of a trainer
My pet is having health issues.
Suggestions:
See a vet to determine the best course of action for your pet
If medical expenses are an issue, please visit projectpuppy.org (Killuminati Foundation)
What if my dog or cat just had a litter of puppies or kittens?
Suggestions:
The new puppies and kittens will need to be vaccinated. While we do not offer vaccinations every day, watch for our monthly low-cost vaccination and microchip clinic days. They will be announced on our website and our social media. We do offer vaccinations at the time of a spay or neuter - see next item below.
Please get your pet and their offspring spayed or neutered so they do not contribute to the pet overpopulation problem. Please make an appointment with our Intake office for this by calling 417-833-2526 ext. 205.
You may surrender the litter to us. We will give them proper medical care including vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, and microchipping and will work to find them loving adoptive homes.
