Admissions Policy

We are currently booking appointments for those individuals or families that need to surrender their pets. Please note that surrenders are only accepted with an appointment and that we cannot accept "feral" cats.

The Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes is a charity and relies on private donations to continue helping the thousands of animals we take in.

Admission Fees:

$30 for dog surrender ($40 if outside the City of Kawartha Lakes)

$20 for cat surrender ($30 if outside the City of Kawartha Lakes)

To inquire about surrendering your animal, please contact 705 878 4618 or shelter.hskl@cogeco.net

You will be required to:

• Bring photo identification
• Provide proof that the animal is yours and you have the right to surrender it
• Bring all veterinary records you have for the animal
• Fill out an in-depth behavioural assessment of the animal
• Read and understand the irrevocable surrender form

The HSKL should be your last resort for placing your animal. Before contacting us, you should attempt to place the animal in another home on your own. Ask friends and family if they are interested in the pet, ask neighbours, as well as put up flyers in your neighbourhood and at your local pet store and veterinary clinics. Placing your animal in a shelter will be stressful and difficult for your animal and we are eager to avoid this if possible. The HSKL has the right to refuse to accept your animals at our discretion and has limited space.

The HSKL is unable to accommodate wildlife animals at this time and we have partnerships with other organizations who are assisting us in this regard. In addition, the HSKL is working in partnership with the Toronto Animal Service to reunite stray animals with their correct owners.

The surrender appointment will take a total of approximately two hours for dogs and one hour for cats. You must remain at the shelter throughout that time until the process is completed.