Surrendering a Pet
There are times surrendering your pet may be the only option you have due to circumstances beyond your control. If, however, your contemplating surrendering a pet due to the financial strain of affording food for the pet - FOOD4PAWS can help. They are a non-profit 501c3 organization based out of East Peoria whose motto is, "Keeping our pets in the home... not the shelter." For more information - contact them at PH: 309-573-7087,
Address: 314 Meadows Ave.
East Peoria, IL 61611
Website: www.food4pawsnfp.org
There are times when it becomes necessary to surrender your pet or a stray cat or dog that you have found, and TAPS may be able to help. However, before you make that difficult decision, please consider the following information.
First, if the problem causing you concern is potentially a medical or behavioral related issue we encourage you to have the pet examined by your veterinarian to see if the issue you are dealing with can be remedied. For example a cat who suddenly quits using the litter box may have a simple urinary tract infection – which is easily treated with a round of antibiotics. For behavioral concerns, we encourage you to seek help from a dog trainer or dog behaviorist – see our website under the “Owner Tips” section (click here to be routed to this page) or talk to you veterinarian for a reference.
Returning a TAPS Pet:
If you adopted your pet from TAPS, we require you return the pet to us and we will re-home the pet. When you call TAPS (309-353-8277) or e-mail us at tapsshelter2@yahoo.com with the request to surrender your pet, please mention that this was a TAPS pet, and give any identifying information so we can pull up the pets record (traceable by name and micro-ship) and make arrangements to bring them in as soon as possible. It is our goal to bring in return pets ASAP or within two weeks at the most per our contract.
- Please call to make arrangements – we must have a kennel open and cannot accommodate the pet if you show up at the door wanting to surrender on the spot.
Surrendering a Pet not adopted from TAPS or a stray animal:
For all pets NOT adopted from TAPS, we work off of a waiting list and cannot help you if you walk in attempting to surrender the pet without notice or being called in. Please call TAPS (309-353-8277) or e-mail us at tapsshelter2@yahoo.com to add your name and information about the cat or dog to our waiting list. Please specify if the dog is large (over 30#) or small (<30#) as the waiting list and kennels available for the different sizes vary. Should you need immediate placement, we can supply names of other organizations that may be able to help you sooner (click here) to print out a copy of our Animal Options list. We can also give you the names of breed rescues that may be able to help.
When you are called in from the waiting list:
- A temperament test lasting ~ 10-15 minutes will be set up and must be performed prior to intake. Should your pet or the stray pet you have found become aggressive during the temperament test, TAPS will not be able to take in the pet.
- For the safety of our staff, volunteers and other animals housed at our shelter, TAPS cannot take in a pet that has bitten and broken skin or one who will try to injure or kill another domestic animal.
- Please bring in any medications, veterinary records and personal effects of the pet you would like to surrender.
- TAPS requests a surrender donation of $25.00 / pet or more – while this is not a requirement, it helps to cover the cost of the medical needs and required vaccinations, food and care during their stay at TAPS.
- Please be prepared to fill out a surrender form and personality profile as these assist us in finding an appropriate home for the pet after they are surrendered.
Since we are a no-kill shelter, our intake ability and the time you will wait to bring in a stray or owned pet will depend on adoptions and kennel availability.
