Surrendering Your Pet
Please understand that HSNEGA cannot accept every animal brought to our shelter immediately. We respect the difficult decision of owners to relinquish their pets, but will not euthanize to control the number of animals at our facility. Therefore, we will accept the surrender of owned pets as space allows.
Surrender hours are Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please plan on spending at least 30 minutes at the shelter and allow additional time if bringing multiple animals. Admission of any animal into HSNEGA is based on the animal’s health, behavior, and adoptability. HSNEGA's intake guidelines for both owned animals and rescue animals include, but are not limited to, the following:
- All animals must be weaned, eating solid food, and at least 7-8 weeks old and 2-3 pounds
- All canines 6+ months must undergo a heartworm test and may be declined due to a positive test
- All felines 2+ months must undergo a feline combo test and may be declined due to a positive test
- All felines and canines must be free of any visible skin issues such as ringworm or mange
- All felines and canines cannot exhibit any aggressive behaviors toward other animals or humans
Because HSNEGA does not euthanize based on space or durataion of stay, our intake guidelines ensure the animals in our care are as mentally and physically healthy as possible so that they can find a life-long home quickly. While we make no guarantee of being able to accept any animal, when you bring your pet, please have:
- Any veterinary records
- Your pet’s medications
- Any special food or treats that your pet needs
- Your pet’s bed, toys, leash and other belongings from home
HSNEGA also accepts small exotics/mammals such as ferrets, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters. etc. For more information on intake of these types of animals, please contact the shelter at 770-532-6617.
Why does HSNEGA ask for a donation when an animal is surrendered?
When we admit a pet to our shelter, we are committed to providing for his or her care until adoption, regardless of the length of stay. The average cost for the veterinary treatment and routine daily care we provide your pet is $325. A donation helps ease the shelter's costs for providing continued care while your pet is awaiting a new forever home. A donation is not required, but will greatly help us care for your pet.
Information for Stray Animals
The Humane Society of Northeast Georgia does not admit strays directly into its care for several reasons. First, owners who have lost a pet need a central location to find them, and the best location is their local municipal shelter.
Second, as a private agency, we must use our shelter space to save the largest number of lives possible, and strays must be held for a period of time during which they cannot be adopted.
Lastly, in many counties, stray animals are required by law to be taken in at their designated municipal shelter. This policy gives stray pets the best chance of being reunited with their families and controls zoonotic diseases, diseases spread from animals to humans, like rabies. In Hall County, county ordinances specify that all strays must be taken to Hall County Animal Control.
Please contact your local Animal Control Agency for information on their acceptance policies for stray animals. Below is a list of the animal control agencies for the surrounding counties of northeast Georgia.
Barrow County Animal Control: 770.307.3012
Forsyth County Animal Shelter: 770.888.2500
Gwinnett County Animal Control: 770.339.3200
Hall County Animal Services: 678.450.1587
Jackson County Animal Control: 706.367.5480
Lumpkin County Animal Control: 706.867.7297
Stephens County Animal Control: 706.282.3275
White County Animal Control: 706.219.2689