Rehoming Your Pet

Please note that due to our limited capacity, there is currently a 6-8 week wait for all surrendered animals, depending on the species and whether we have open kennels available.

Please read the information below for additional options and resources that may help you rehome your pet more quickly.

We urge you to take charge of rehoming your pet before surrendering them to a shelter.

You know your pet better than anyone else and can give potential new owners the best understanding of their needs and personality.

While the APCSM works hard to ensure the comfort of every animal under our care, our facility accommodates over 1,000 animals every year.

Shelters can be stressful for animals, no matter how well they are run. Being in a kennel with other animals around can be difficult for your pet; it might make your pet anxious, aggressive, or sick, despite the care our staff and volunteers provide.

Please see the resources below for help on keeping your pet, finding them a new home, or surrendering them to a shelter.

  • Schedule a Behavior Help Line appointment through DFL for Dogs and Cats

    See Certified Dog Trainers in Massachusetts

    More Recommendations:

  • Low Cost Clinics:

    Sylvan Animal Clinic (Fall River) 508-679-6122

    Come Together Animal Clinic (Boston) 857-496-1508.

    Animal Rescue League Spay Waggin 877-590-7729

    Care Credit (Offers payment option for veterinary expenses)866-782-7864

    Brockton residents: you may qualify for a $25 spay/neuter surgery for your cat. Click here to learn more.

  • The APCSM offers free pet food to those in need on the second Satuday of each month between 12-2PM.

    See more local pet food pantries here.

  • RedRover is an animal welfare nonprofit whose mission is to bring animals out of crisis and strengthen the bond between people and animals through emergency sheltering, disaster-relief services, financial assistance, and education.

Rehome by Adopt a Pet provides a reliable solution for finding new homes for pets without resorting to shelters. We highly recommend utilizing this platform to increase the likelihood of successfully rehoming your pet.

Adopt-a-Pet.com offers a user-friendly program designed to facilitate the direct transition of your pet from your home to another loving household.

*Use the coupon code RCXHAQTL2U8AD8Z to waive the listing fee for Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.

Surrender your Pet to APCSM

Please note that due to our limited capacity, there is currently a 6-8 week wait for all surrendered animals, depending on the species and whether we have open kennels available.

The Animal Protection Center is a managed-admission adoption facility that accepts cats, dogs, and small animals for surrender (guinea pigs, bunnies, ferrets, birds, chinchillas, hedgehogs, etc).   

We ask for a $50 surrender donation at the time of surrender in order to help us offset the cost of care for the animal during their stay.

To surrender an animal:

  1. Submit a form below.

  2. Staff will contact you when an opening becomes available for your pet.

  3. You are welcome to follow up if you have not received a call within a week of submitting the form.



Surrender a Dog

Surrender a Cat

Surrender a Bird

Surrender a Rabbit


Surrender a Small Mammal (Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, Ferrets, etc.)

To see other rescues & shelters in Massachusetts, click here.