SURRENDERS ARE BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. The first step is to complete our surrender form.
Click Here to complete a surrender inquiry. Please note- form must be COMPLETE in order to be added to our waitlist.
We are currently accepting surrenders ONLY from the Greater Lowell Area, within a 10 mile radius of Lowell, unless previously adopted out from our shelter. These towns include – Lowell, Billerica, Westford, Tyngsboro, Tewksbury, Dracut, Chelmsford, Groton, Townsend, Littleton, Acton, Ayer, Pepperell, Bedford, Burlington, Wilmington, Hudson, Dunstable. If you are located in NH, we ask that you try to find a local shelter before contacting us.
If you need pet food or other resources to help keep your pet- reach out. We can help you determine if there are alternatives to surrendering your animal. We may be able to connect you with services that would allow your pet to stay right in your home, so please contact us for details.
You may also consider listing your pet on your own via a Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.
Having trouble financially keeping up with feeding your pet? Check out our pet food pantry: CLICK HERE FOR PET FOOD PANTRY DETAILS
- If you are no longer able to care for or keep your animal, you can bring your pet to Lowell Humane Society- our shelter takes in owned animals as well as stray cats and small mammals
- If you find a stray dog please contact the animal control officer in the town in which the dog was found
- Animals can be surrendered Tuesday- Friday between 12:00 pm- 4:00 pm BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. We ask that you please call ahead to ensure there is space to take in your pet and to fill out the appropriate paperwork ahead of time
- If we do not currently have space for the animal you are looking to surrender, we will place you on a waiting list and provide you with alternative placement options to reach out to in the meantime
- If you adopted your animal from a different shelter/rescue, please contact that organization to see if they will take back the animal before contacting us
- The Lowell Humane Society is an open admission shelter. We will not turn away an animal based on their health, age, or behavior. There is no time limit on the length of the animal’s stay and we do not euthanize what we consider to be adoptable animals based on time or space. Because we also take in terminally ill or behaviorally unsound animals, euthanasia decisions are made based on the best interest of the animal and the community
- Our shelter is committed to saving every animal in our care who can be saved. We do not end the life of healthy or treatable pets even at an owner’s request. We only euthanize a pet if:
• A veterinarian has assessed that there is no chance of recovering an acceptable quality of life, or
• It would be clearly inhumane or unsafe not to do so immediately, or
• In cases of irremediable canine aggression when a veterinarian has eliminated medical treatment as a solution; and staff and public safety cannot be reasonably assured, or other management protocols seriously compromise quality of life. - Please understand the owner of the animal must be present during the time of the surrender. The owner is able to give us the most accurate information regarding the animal and this will help us to determine the best home or situation for your pet. If the owner is not able to be present, please contact the shelter to make other arrangements at (978)452-7781. Please have your veterinarian fax all records to us in advance of surrender, they may fax to 978-454-9664
- While a fee is not required, a donation of $25 is suggested to help us provide quality care for your pet
Questions? Please contact us at info@lowellhumanesociety.org
Click here to view our full surrender policy.
