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Owner Surrendered Pets
One of the largest challenges facing animal welfare organizations, including HSVC, is the number of animal owners needing assistance rehoming their animals. We’ve learned that there are a variety of challenging and unforeseen circumstances that can cause pets to lose their homes. Such conditions can include poverty, illness, lack of affordable vet care, and shortage of pet-friendly housing. Any of these situations can force even the most devoted pet owner to relinquish their beloved furry friend to a local shelter. Upon entering a rescue, these animals are referred to as owner-surrendered animals.
The Surrender Process:
At the HSVC, we know life can be unpredictable. If you find yourself falling into tough times, our shelter accepts animals surrendered by their owner as a last resort. See below to learn more about the steps in our surrendering process. Please note that completing this process does not guarantee we will intake your animal, and we do not accept walk-in owner-surrendered animals.
- Visit our Adoption Services page and click the orange Canine Surrender Form or Feline Surrender Form button.
- Complete the fillable form. Be sure to give as much detail as possible to help us better understand your situation.
- Save the completed form to your computer and email it to [email protected]. You will be contacted by a staff member within 2-3 business days after submitting the form.
- Animals eligible for surrender will be required to complete an intake exam at the shelter performed by a member of our animal care and/or veterinary staff.
- Surrendering your animal is a free service, however, donations are encouraged and appreciated!
Please note that this process DOES NOT apply to relinquishing horses. Our shelter accepts horses surrendered by their owners for a $200 surrender fee. Proof of ownership is required, and the animal must pass an intake evaluation.
Canine Surrender Form Feline Surrender Form
If you are looking to surrender your horse to HSVC, please reach out to our Equine Manager, Christina, at 805-364-1150 or visit our Adopt a Horse page for more information.
Resources to Avoid Surrendering Your Pet:
While the HSVC accepts owner-surrendered animals, we strive to first provide resources to help keep pets in their homes and out of shelters. Such resources range from education about animal behavior and training to free pet supplies. If you are considering surrendering your pet, please check out the resources HSVC offers and recommends before beginning the process of relinquishing your furry friend.
Free Pet Food: HSVC has several options for pet owners within Ventura County struggling to pay for pet food. 
- Our shelter, located at 402 Bryant St. in Ojai, has an onsite pet food pantry in which animal owners can receive free pet food. Supplies for the free pet pantry are generously donated by our community and can be accessed any time during business hours Monday through Saturday between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm.
- HSVC recently partnered with DoorDash to deliver free pet food to those living within a 10-mile radius of one of our satellite locations. Visit our website to learn more and to sign up for this program.
- Our Pantry 4 Paws program offers pet food directly from our remote pet food banks located across Ventura County. Visit our website to learn more.
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Free Vaccinations: Many pet owners struggle with expensive vet bills. Thanks to our friends at Petco Love, we can offer free DHPP for dogs and free FVRCP for cats to help keep pets safe and happy. HSVC also offers $5 Rabies vaccines to those inneed. Free and low-cost vaccines are available at our onsite and remote vaccination clinics. Visit our website to learn more.
Low-Cost Spay/Neuter: Our shelter helps combat pet overpopulation by offering low-cost spay/neuter services. Altering your pet will prevent unwanted litters from being surrendered to the shelter. Please visit our website for more information or call 805-656-5031 to schedule an appointment with our Clinic.
Training and Behavior: Many shelter dogs are returned or surrendered to the shelter for lack of training and unwanted behaviors.HSVC highly recommends exploring the resources below or working with a professional dog trainer before resorting to surrendering your animal to a rescue. Tracy Vail of The Canine Messenger is a highly recommended dog trainer for residents of Ventura County.
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- Blue Man Dog aims to support dog owners with any issue, from basic set-up questions to all types of training and behavioral needs. Visit their website to learn more!
- The Spruce Pets has a wide variety of information on health, nutrition, behavior, and, training for dogs, cats, and horses.
- Dogs Out Loud provides support for behavior and training specifically in shelter and rescue dogs.
- The Humane Society of the United States has links to all kinds of resources from medical and behavioral issues to trouble with your landlord.
