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If your pet was
adopted from the Hillside SPCA and you find you must surrender
the animal, it MUST be returned to the Hillside SPCA - no
exceptions.
At this time, due to extreme over-crowding in the cat
quarters, we are only accepting cat surrenders from Schuylkill
County - no out-of-the-area surrenders (unless previously
adopted from the Hillside SPCA).
REASONS FOR SURRENDER - "VALID" OR "POOR"?...
There are circumstances when an animal must leave its
life-long home: when an owner becomes physically unable to
care for it or the owner is terminally ill; when a dog has
shown true unprovoked aggression. These are "valid" reasons
(although owners need to be aware that true un-provoked
aggression may indicate a dog is un-adoptable).
"Poor" reasons are: the dog won't listen; we can't
house-train the dog; the cat "marks"; the dog chews; we're
moving; no one takes care of the dog/cat but me; we don't have
time for the dog/cat; the dog growled/snapped at my child/me.
If this sounds like your situation there is usually a solution
that will allow you and your pet to stay together. We
encourage you to call or visit us and ask for advice or read
our information on crate training for dogs and dealing with
problem pets before choosing to leave you pet at an already
over-crowded shelter. We can offer help that may allow you to
keep your pet or can refer you to qualified trainers who can
assist you.
The Hillside SPCA is what is known as a "no-kill" shelter
meaning that we do not automatically put a time limit on how
long an animal may stay here while awaiting adoption. This
leads some people to form the mistaken belief that we can
adopt out *every* animal surrendered to us or that we are a
"retirement home" where every surrendered animal will live out
it's remaining life. We wish it could be like that, and we try
as hard as we can to make it that way, but the reality is that
we cannot guarantee that your pet will find a "forever" home
at the Hillside.
Unfortunately, "no-kill" does not mean "never kill" and
sometimes euthanasia is necessary for various reasons;
in-correctible temperament problems like un-provoked
aggression, certain serious illnesses or health problems and -
perhaps worst of all - the times when we are so horrendously
over-crowded that we have no other choice but to make some
heart-wrenching decisions on performing euthanasia.
There is a surrender fee. Please contact the shelter
for the current amount at (570) 622-7769. The shelter incurs many costs in
caring for surrendered animals, including food, quality
medical care, maintenance costs for the buildings, heating,
and more. The surrender fee helps us to be able to keep
our doors open to continue to help the homeless, unwanted
animals that need us. Additional donations of money or
supplies are always needed and deeply appreciated.
If you cannot keep your pet due to financial difficulties
and cannot afford a surrender fee, please DO NOT just place a
"Free Ad" for the animal or abandon it to fend for itself.
We may be able to waive or reduce the surrender fee for a true
financial hardship case
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