Rehoming Your Pet

Kitsap Humane Society realizes that the decision to rehome your pet can be difficult. We believe strongly in serving as a resource and not shaming our community’s pet owners when this decision has to be made.
If you are considering rehoming your pet, please review the below resources and alternatives.

Resources to Keep Your Pet

Life happens and while having a companion animal can bring us so much joy, rehoming can sometimes feel like our only option. Please consider checking out these resources for common rehoming issues:

If you are considering rehoming your pet due to behavior issues, we recommend that the shelter be a last resort, since those issues can sometimes be a barrier to adoption. Many unwanted behaviors can be corrected, enabling pets to remain with their families. Bathroom issues, “mouthiness,” certain types of food and toy guarding, and many other troublesome behaviors are relatively easy to treat or manage with the right resources! If you would like information about training or other solutions for keeping your dog, please contact dogbehavior@kitsap-humane.org, and for cat owners, please contact catbehavior@kitsap-humane.org.

Make an Appointment

To request an appointment, please fill out our Admissions Appointment Request Form.
This form will be used to schedule the following appointment types:
  • Adoption return
  • Animal rehoming
  • Cross-posting and private rehoming information requests
  • Last litter appointments
  • Community cat trapping/surrender
If you are in need of assistance with filling out the Appointment Request form, please email admissions@kitsap-humane.org and we will schedule a phone call to assist you.

Private Rehoming Options & Support

Since 2018, Kitsap Humane Society has been proud to provide a “Cross Posting” private rehoming support service to our community.  Pet owners who are needing to rehome their pet and want to be interested in the process are able to write a bio for their pet, the pet is added to our “Available Pets” page, and the adoption is coordinated by the pet parent. This gives pet parents the opportunity to get to know the family that will be adopting their pet, do home visits if they wish, and to stay updated on how their pet is doing or maybe even get to visit them if both parties are comfortable staying in touch. If you want to learn more about this program, please contact admissions@kitsap-humane.org.

For additional rehoming tips, please visit Best Friends Animal Society.

Admissions Counseling Process

KHS accepts dogs, cats, and most types of household pets for rehoming by appointment only. All owner rehoming require an appointment.

If you have recently adopted a pet and need to return it to the shelter, please note that we are now requiring appointments for all returns, regardless of the timeframe from adoption or reason for return. Please email our Admissions department at admissions@kitsap-humane.org.

If you are in need of behavior support for your dog, please contact dogbehavior@kitsap-humane.org, and if you are in need of behavior support for your cat, please contact catbehavior@kitsap-humane.org.

If you are looking to rehome your pet due to the inability to afford pet food or pet supplies, please come to the shelter to visit our Pet Food Pantry. We can provide you with support during times of financial crisis. You can visit the shelter any day between noon and 4 p.m. Check in at Admissions for assistance.

If you need assistance transporting your pet to KHS, please email admissions@kitsap-humane.org.

  1. To discuss rehoming options for your pet, please email admissions@kitsap-humane.org.
  2. To expedite your visit, you can complete some of the required paperwork (linked above) ahead of time and bring it with you to the shelter. Please provide as much detailed information about your pet’s personality and history – this information is very helpful for finding your pet a new home.
  3. Arrive for your appointment on time with your pet safely contained, either on a leash or in a carrier. Please come prepared to your appointment with any/all medical records for your pet and your photo ID. Pets with medical conditions that arrive without vet records may be asked to reschedule their appointment.
  4.  All pets being rehomed are given a short behavior and medical assessment. Occasionally, pets are brought in for rehoming that shelter staff determines to have too significant of safety or quality of life concerns to adopt out into our community. If your pet does not meet the medical and behavior qualifications for the adoption program, staff will discuss other options.
  5. KHS charges a per-animal rehoming fee in order to cover the costs of caring for your pet until it is adopted, including food, cleaning, vaccinations, and medical care. Payment types accepted are cash and major credit cards only.

Rehoming Prices

Adult Animals $60
Individual Kitten/Puppy $10
Litter of 3 or More* $50
*Free if you participate in Last Litter program
Please ask regarding fees for other animals

Last Litter Program

Has your pet had a new litter of puppies or kittens? Let’s work together to make it their last litter!

Kitsap Humane Society works to reduce pet overpopulation, help prevent unplanned litters, and ensure that every animal in our community has a home. Through the Last Litter program, KHS offers FREE spay surgery for any female dog or cat whose offspring (puppies or kittens) is surrendered to the shelter for our adoption program! How it works:

  • Work with our Admissions staff to schedule a rehoming appointment for your pet’s offspring.
  • Puppies and kittens must be weaned.
  • There is no rehoming fee for puppies or kittens.
  • When you bring the babies in for surrender, you will be provided with a voucher for free spay surgery for your pet through our Low-Cost Spay/Neuter program.
  • Schedule your pet for free spay surgery through our online Spay/Neuter scheduling website (and provide the voucher at the time of payment).
  • KHS will get your pet’s babies vaccinated, treated for worms and fleas, spay/neutered, microchipped, and will find them great homes!
  • The Last Litter program is open to residents of Kitsap and Mason Counties.

For more information, or to sign up for the Last Litter program, contact admissions@kitsap-humane.org.