Need to Rehome Your Cat?

We know this isn't easy.

Making the decision to surrender a beloved cat can be one of the hardest choices a pet owner ever faces. Whether you're experiencing a move, financial hardship, health concerns, housing challenges, or another life change, our goal is to treat both you and your cat with compassion and respect.

Pet Haven is here to help guide you through the process and ensure every cat receives the best possible chance at finding a new home.

Current Wait Time: 2–4 weeks (may be longer during kitten season)

Owner Surrender Application

Before You Apply

Cats We Can Typically Accept

✔ Friendly, socialized cats
✔ Cats between 6 weeks and 10+ years old
✔ Senior cats over the age of 10 are admitted on a case by case basis
✔ Cats that can safely live in a shelter environment

Cats We May Not Be Able to Accept

✘ Feral or semi-feral cats
✘ Cats requiring extensive or ongoing medical treatment
✘ Cats whose needs exceed our current resources

All applications are reviewed individually.

The Owner Surrender Process

Step 1: Complete an Application

Tell us about your cat, their personality, medical history, and the circumstances leading to the surrender request. The more information you provide, the better we can assess how to help.

Owner Surrender Application

Step 3: Assessment Appointment

We'll meet your cat and evaluate:

  • Health

  • Behavior

  • Shelter suitability

  • Adoption potential

Please bring:

  • Veterinary records

  • Vaccine history

  • Medications

  • Any information about the cat's routines and preferences

Step 2: Staff Review

A staff member will review your application and contact you within 2 business days.

We may:

  • Schedule an assessment

  • Request additional information

  • Offer rehoming resources

  • Place your cat on our waiting list

Step 4: Wait for Space

Following your cat's assessment, admission to the shelter will occur once the following criteria have been met:

  • Any vaccines administered during the assessment have completed the required 14-day hold period outside of the shelter

  • The cat has been spayed or neutered

  • Appropriate kennel space becomes available

Step 5: Final Intake

Once space becomes available, we will schedule your cat's admission.

At this appointment we'll:

  • Finalize paperwork

  • Review medical history

  • Collect surrender fees

  • Gather information to help match your cat with the right adopter

Surrender Fees

All cats brought into the shelter with the intent to leave them in our care permanently constitutes a surrender.

Vaccinated surrender: $20
IMPORTANT! You must provide current proof of vaccine within the last year.

Unvaccinated surrender: $30

Multiple cat surrender: After the initial surrender fee of $30 will be due, additional kittens in a litter may be added for $10 with the approval of staff. This does not apply to adult cats.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Pet Haven accepts friendly, socialized cats that are comfortable around people and able to thrive in a shelter environment.

    In general, cats accepted into our program:

    • Are at least 6 weeks old

    • Are 10 years old or younger

    • Are socialized and comfortable around people

    • Do not require intensive or ongoing medical treatment beyond the scope of shelter care

    Acceptance is based on available space, shelter health, and staffing resources.

    If you have specific questions about if the cat you have may be eligible for intake, please give us a call: (208) 466-1298

  • Because ownership transfers to Pet Haven, we cannot guarantee ongoing updates. However, many former owners enjoy following our social media and adoption stories.

  • Pet Haven works hard to keep surrender fees as affordable as possible.

    As a nonprofit organization, we rely on donations and community support to provide food, shelter, medical care, and adoption services for thousands of cats each year.

    Surrender fees help us continue serving cats and families in our community while keeping costs low for everyone.

  • No.

    Pet Haven does not accept same-day surrenders under any circumstances.

    Every cat must first complete the assessment process and wait for available shelter space.

    This policy helps protect the health and safety of the cats already in our care.

  • ait times vary depending on:

    • Shelter capacity

    • Seasonal intake volume

    • Health concerns within the shelter

    • Staffing and foster availability

    Current wait times are approximately 2–3 weeks, but may exceed 12 weeks during kitten season.

    All wait times are estimates and cannot be guaranteed.

  • Please let us know. We may be able to remove your cat from the waiting list or discuss alternative options.

  • Cats over the age of 10 may be considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account their overall health, behavior, and ability to adapt to a shelter setting.

    Many senior cats struggle with the stress of entering a shelter environment and may experience decreased appetite, weight loss, or difficulty adjusting. Because Pet Haven does not have an on-site veterinarian or overnight medical staff, we are not able to provide the level of monitoring required for cats with serious or complex medical conditions.

    Admission decisions are based on the individual needs of the cat, available space, shelter health considerations, and staffing resources.

    If you have questions about whether a cat may be eligible for intake, please contact our team at (208) 466-1298. We're happy to discuss your cat's individual situation and explore available options.