Resources
 Common Issues that Lead to Animal Surrender:
  • Animal Behavior 
  • Relocation and Housing
  • Personal and Family Health
  • Financial 

Alternate Options Available to Our Community

 Animal Behavior-training, behavior counseling and spay and neuter
If the reason for your possible surrender is a behavior issue we recommend you consider the following  information:
  • Spaying or neutering can have a dramatic impact on a pet’s behavior. Please check with your veterinarian to see if this is an option you may want to try before surrendering your animal.
  • There are many helpful hints online. The internet can be a convenient source of information in a wide range of subject matter. Look at several sites before deciding which method of training will fit your life and concerns. It may take time to change behavior. You know you are training well if you start to see behavior change.   
  • Consult with an animal behaviorist, dog trainer or obedience school. Many of these classes and consultations are very inexpensive and yet have produced amazing results by helping owners learn to manage, reinforce and correct behaviors in a way the pet understands what is wanted.
  • Discuss the problem with your vet. Your vet may be able to give training advice or even a medication to eliminate the problem.

Local information
Regional information  
Pet Training and Best Practices Videos produced by Lollipop Farm
    Cats: Litter Box Best Practices (to prevent house soiling)
    Cats: How to Pet a Kitty (to help families overcome interactions that may
       lead to scratching)
    Dogs: How to Live with an Energetic Dog (to prevent jumping, leash biting,
       etc.)
    Dogs: How to Housetrain your Puppy (to prevent house soiling)
    Pets: Using Positive Reinforcement to Address Problem Behaviors (to help
       prevent owners from using negative reinforcement with their animals)

Relocation and Housing
Finding housing that allows pets can sometimes be frustrating and costly. Try searching in local papers, online, or check with a local realtor. Asking for suggestions from a realtor does not mean you have to sign a contract. Most of these people live in the community and can be wonderful helpful neighbors.

Plan ahead and begin looking for housing that accepts pets as soon as you know you will be moving. Taking your time allows you more of a chance to consider your options. Your pet will thank you and you will find how easy it can be to move with your animal.

Local information
  • Project Sentinel, 888.324-7468, housing counseling agency serving Stanislaus and other counties.
  • Avalon Communities' WAG The Pet Program offers tenants various pet friendly events, the apartment buildings are often created with pet-friendly landscaping, and residents can save on veterinary visits and supplies from VCA Animal Hospitals.

  Personal and Family Health

Local information
  • Livingston Community Health  In various communities. Patterson 209.837.3990
  • Children's Crisis Center of Stanislaus County--24 hour hotline 209.577.4413
  • El Concilio mental health counseling and other services to under-served communities
  • Behavioral Health and Recovery Services  Support, assistance and information  209.558.4600
  • Haven Women Center, Modesto 24-hour hot line 209.577.5980. Serves survivors of domestic and gender violence, trafficking. Clients may be able to their bring dogs and cats
  • HOST House, homeless shelter for men, 405 S. 4th, Patterson

 Help for Seniors
  • PetMD article. Links and information about getting help for senior pet owners.
  • Meals on Wheels. Provides pet food for pets owned by seniors in the Meals on Wheels program

 Financial Assistance
​Surrendering Your Animal
When all else has been considered and you believe that surrendering your animal is the best option for you and your pet, there are some options, depending on its age and size, breed, health and behavior. It is not possible to list all the shelters and rescues that might consider taking your pet, but we have named a few most used in Stanislaus. Some shelters are "open-door". They willingly accept any dog or cat surrendered. However, some of these have limited space or take pets by appointment and will humanely euthanize if they run out of space or the animal is deemed unadoptable. Please search on line for the many rescues in the area; some are all breed and some are dedicated to one breed.


 Pet Surrender or Rehoming​
  • Humane Society of Stanislaus  Rehoming assistance
  • Stanislaus Animal Services Agency Public shelter with open-door acceptance for residents of Stanislaus, Patterson, Modesto, Ceres, Hughson and Waterford with small fee. They work with local rescue organizations to take adoptable dogs and cats. Will euthanize for space, health and behavior. May not always take owner relinquished pets; call for information.
  • Westside Animals for Adoption Limited sheltering for all breeds from West Side Stanislaus. Every reasonable effort will be made to find a suitable home or placement for each animal. By appointment and a small relinquish fee. Donations gladly accepted and are tax deductible. Call 209.892.3114 for information and availability
  • Newman Animal Services Open-door shelter for residents of the City of Newman. 
  • Oakdale and Riverside Animal Services Open-door shelter for residents of Oakdale and Riverside.
   ​

Help for Lost or Found Pets

Missing Pet Partnership is a nonprofit organization helping missing pets and their people.