Giving Up Your Pet

Proanima continues to offer services but only on appointments. Contact us for more information : 450-655-2525 #0 or info@proanima.com

Can I leave my pet with your shelter?

Giving up a pet is a decision that must be based on careful consideration and made only as a last resort.

Before giving up your pet, we strongly encourage you to read the section on alternatives to giving up your pet (below).

Only residents of Longueuil, Boucherville. Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Saint-Alexandre, Saint-Blaise-sur-Richelieu, Saint-Valentin, Venise-en-Québec may drop off pets at our shelter. Proof of residence will be requested when you arrive. If you do not live in one of these cities, please see our list of shelters.

You can visit our shelter during our business hours. Our team will want to collect as much information about your pet as possible.

  • Bring your pet’s health records.
  • You will be required to fill out a questionnaire to supply information about your pet.
  • We will ask you for a voluntary donation. Your donation will go towards covering the cost of the care and accommodations received by your pet. To help you calculate the amount of the donation, here is an example of the expenses the shelter incurs whenever it admits an animal:
  1st day adding  days
Dog $45 $18
Cat $17 $6

Afterwards:

Your pet’s health and behaviour will be assessed to help us find the best solution.

We do everything in our power to ensure that abandoned animals are adopted or sent to partner pet shops or other shelters. However, you should know that your pet may be euthanized due to health or behavioural problems or if the shelter does not have the ability to care for it. Due to the large number of animals in our care, we cannot provide updates on pets left with us.

Alternatives to Giving Up Your Pet

Giving up a pet is often a heartbreaking decision that can have significant repercussions on your life and that of your pet. 

We believe that there are many solutions that can enable you to keep your pet with you for years to come.

If you need help, do not hesitate to contact us.

The Most Common Reasons for Giving Up a Pet and Their Solutions

Sick Animal
  • Do not hesitate to contact a veterinary clinic. Many good clinics provide a telephone information service that can help you when you have concerns about your pet’s health.
  • Consult a veterinarian. Sometimes, just one consultation is all it takes to resolve a health or behavioural issue. Give your pet a chance to get better!
  • If you have financial problems, there are clinics that offer assistance to economically disadvantaged clients. Some clinics also accept payment in instalments.
Moving
  • Plan your move several months in advance to be sure to find an apartment that accepts pets.
  • Offer your landlord a deposit to cover the cost of any damage.
  • Write a document expressing your commitment to respect your neighbours (spaying/neutering and proper training of your pet, picking up feces outdoors, etc.)
Allergies
  • Vacuum regularly to eliminate pet hair.
  • Ask a family member to brush your pet frequently.
  • Run an air purifier in the room you use most often.
  • Do not let your pet sleep on your bed or clothes.
  • Wash your hands after touching your pet.
Lack of Time
  • Get your children and other family members to help out with your pet-related chores. It’s also a good for your kids to learn that having a pet comes with certain responsibilities.
  • Look for a dog walker or pet caretaker. Perhaps there’s a teen in your neighbourhood who can come and take care of your pet while you’re away.
  • There are several facilities that can board pets for one or several days. It’s a good option when you work long hours.
Housebreaking
  • Start by consulting a veterinarian. A lack of proper housebreaking may be related to an animal’s need to mark its territory (if it hasn’t been sterilized) or to a urinary problem. Spaying and neutering your pet or giving it a simple antibiotic treatment may be the solution.
  • If your pet’s health isn’t an issue, you should take a closer look at its environment. Check with a dog or cat trainer. For example, a litter box that is not stored in the right place may result in improper housebreaking.
Behavioural Problems
  • BE SURE TO ACT PROMPTLY before a behavioural problem escalates. Time will only make things worse, and the situation will be all the harder to resolve. However, many behavioural issues can be resolved with the right training tools and a little patience.
  • Some behavioural problems may be caused by a health issue. Pain can sometimes affect an animal’s personality. Do not hesitate to consult a veterinarian.
  • Consult with a trainer to get the basic information you need.
  • If you’re having problems with a cat, you can refer to the educhateur.com site, which provides a wealth of information and quick and simple solutions.

If, despite your best efforts, you are no longer in a position to keep your pet, do everything you can to find it a nice and stable new home. Maybe a family member, friend, colleague or neighbour would be happy to take it in!

You know your pet better than anyone else, and you are in the best position to know what type of environment is the best match.

Today, thanks to social media, it’s easy to share an ad describing your pet with hundreds of people. Make sure you include a good picture of your pet, with an honest but positive description. If somebody contacts you about it, ask whether you can visit their home and do not hesitate to ask any questions that come to mind. The first contact between your pet and the members of the household is a good opportunity to decide whether the adoption should proceed. Being there can reassure you that your pet is being adopted into a good family.

Read our article to help you find a new home to your animal.