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We understand making the decision to surrender your pet is difficult and we are here to offer guidance and support.
Our goal is to help you resolve the problems you are experiencing so that you can keep your pet, but we also understand that some problems are out of your control and may require you to relinquish your pet. Our Pet Support Specialists will walk you through the process to help try and set your pet up for success with KC Pet Project.
Our Keep ‘Em Together, KC program is designed to help you keep your pet instead of surrendering them to the shelter. Contact our Pet Support Center to discuss your needs and challenges to help you keep your pet instead of surrendering them to the shelter.
Our Pet Support Specialists can discuss the various programs and services we offer that may assist you in overcoming many of the challenges you may be facing with your companion.
We know how overwhelming life can be. Here are some human support service tools and resources for you to explore:
If you have exhausted alternative resources to relinquishment (such as attempting to overcome the challenges you are experiencing with your pet, or trying to Rehome your pet privately) then surrendering your pet may be the next option to explore.
Upon intake to the shelter, all animals are fully vaccinated and examined for any pressing medical issues. After their intake exam, animals are placed in a kennel as they await their next steps (medical evaluation, behavior evaluation, placement option, adoption, etc.).
KC Pet Project dogs are fed twice a day and it is the goal of the organization to ensure each dog gets a walk 2-3 times a day. However, due to high intake numbers, some dogs may only receive 1-2 walks a day. Dogs who benefit from social interactions with other dogs will also be on the list of dogs who attend Doggie Play Groups in the mornings when possible.
Dependent on the number of dogs at the shelter at any given time, dogs may spend the majority of their time at the shelter in their kennel. This can be especially difficult as dogs living in a kennel environment are exposed to many sounds, smells, and strangers (to them) throughout the day which can cause a high level of stress and affect their overall behavior and quality of life.
KC Pet Project cats are fed twice a day, and spend the majority of their time at our facility in their kennel. Staff and volunteers interact with cats every morning during morning cleaning, and work to make sure every cat’s emotional and physical needs are met during their time at our shelter through enrichment and socialization.
A shelter environment can be especially difficult for cats who tend to react strongly to changes in environment and the sounds and smells of other cats. Due to the high level of stress they experience at the shelter, some cats may attempt to hide during their stay which can make their stays longer as they aren’t seen by adopters who are walking through the adoption center.
An animal shelter is a stressful environment for any animal, but especially for owned pets. Our state-of-the-art shelter cannot compare to the love and care that a pet receives at home. We urge you to exhaust all other resources and alternatives before surrendering your pet to KC Pet Project.
KC Pet Project charges surrender fees for all owner surrendered animals (and also charges a fee for animals brought in as lost). This fee helps KC Pet Project cover a small portion of the costs associated with caring for the pet. KC Pet Project is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, collecting fees allows our shelter to continue to support over 15,000 animals annually.
KC Pet Project makes an investment in every animal that comes to our shelter. Upon arrival to the shelter, each animal is vaccinated and dewormed and any obvious medical conditions are addressed as much as possible. KC Pet Project employs full-time shelter veterinarians and veterinary technicians to help ensure the health and well-being of all the animals in our care.
As an open admissions municipal shelter, KC Pet Project cares for over 15,000 animals annually. We treat every animal’s life with the same level of care and importance. We work hard to save the lives of healthy, treatable animals that enter into our shelter. While we do not euthanize an animal for space, there are times where we have to euthanize an animal for medical concerns, public safety concerns, and concerns of quality-of-life.
Surrendering your pet to our shelter means you are giving up all rights to that animal. We are not required to notify you of any development regarding health or status. Nor, will we give the animal you surrendered special treatment over another animal. KC Pet Project is typically unable to accept same day surrenders. Appointments are scheduled based on appointment availability, available space within the shelter, and in consideration for KC Pet Project’s capacity to care for the pet. Appointments are required if you need to surrender your owned pet to the shelter. As an open admissions municipal shelter, KC Pet Project only accepts animals from Kansas City, Missouri.
While KC Pet Project is considered a “no-kill” shelter, that simply means that our shelter consistently reaches a lifesaving rate of 90% or higher. This rate is the industry benchmark that acknowledges the need to consider the best interests of the animals in our care, our community at large, and to avoid needless suffering. No-kill, however, does not mean that no animal is euthanized in our care. This is a common misconception. Euthanasia is a part of humane animal sheltering in all shelters. While we do not euthanize an animal for space, there are times when we must euthanize an animal for medical concerns, public safety concerns, and animals that may be suffering due to poor quality-of-life.
All animals under the care of KC Pet Project can become at risk of euthanasia if they develop and/or experience medical concerns, public safety concerns, or develop suffering due to poor quality-of-life. When possible, our team may contact a previous owner in an attempt to secure a live outcome for an at-risk animal.
(for litters of 2+ animals that are under 6 months of age).
If you are unable to submit a form online, you can contact our Pet Support Center team who will gather the information and triage the case over the phone. The phone assessment process could take up to thirty (30) minutes.
In order for our team to better assess each unique pet in need of our support, it is important that we gather as much information as possible about the pet’s history, including living conditions, behaviors, medical care, and socialization. This information is all KC Pet Project has to help set the pet up for success while in our care and in-depth information allows us to find the best outcome for the pet, including placement options and matchmaking for adoptions.