Before You Surrender
Before surrendering a pet, please consider whether there are resources that may help you keep your pet or safely place your pet directly into another home.
Surrenders are scheduled based on the shelter’s current capacity for care. This helps ensure animals receive appropriate housing, attention, and medical care. Because the Flathead County Animal Shelter works as the only facility available to house stray dogs or animals held for Animal Control, surrender intakes are managed by a waiting list and depend on the shelter's current capacity numbers.
Bite history or rabies quarantine: If you need to surrender a dog with a bite history or an animal currently involved in an active bite quarantine, please call the shelter before completing any surrender paperwork. Staff may need to review additional information and may refer you to the Rabies Control Program .
Rehoming Options
Consider direct home placement
In some situations, direct home placement may be a better option than bringing a pet to the shelter. These services can help pet owners connect with potential adopters while the pet remains in their current home.
Home to Home Opens in a new tab. Rehome by Adopt a Pet Opens in a new tab.
Surrender Prevention
Before surrendering a pet, please consider whether there are resources that may help you keep your pet.
- Flathead County Animal Shelter and the Humane Society of Northwest Montana both offer pet food pantries to help keep pets fed during a financial crisis.
- The Humane Society of Western Montana, located in Missoula, MT, offers a FREE behavior consultation service (in person or over the phone) for anyone with mild or moderate concerns and is considering a behavioral surrender.
- Matt Wildman, a nationally known feline behaviorist, offers FREE behavior assistance through the National Cat Behavior Hotline.
- The Humane World for Animals offers multiple surrender prevention support systems, including loss-of-housing toolkits and proactive behavior support.
Ready to move forward? Contact the shelter below to schedule an appointment.
Surrenders are handled by appointment only. Please call the shelter to discuss your situation, review options, and check availability.
(406) 752-1310Staff will guide you through next steps and let you know what to bring.
- Confirm you are a Flathead County resident
- Be ready to describe your pet’s behavior and history
- Ask about current wait times and availability
Matchmaking Services
Flathead County Animal Shelter offers a matchmaking service designed to keep animals out of the shelter by facilitating direct home placements. FCAS recommends that both potential adopters and rehoming families use their best judgment while utilizing this service.
Animals rehomed through this service have not been evaluated for behavior or medical issues by the shelter.
Surrender Forms
Please complete the waitlist form and email it to fcas(at)flatheadcounty.gov. Include a clear, well-lit photo of your pet. If you wish to surrender multiple animals, please complete one form per animal.
Shelter staff will follow up to confirm your placement on the surrender waitlist.
Waitlist FormComplete the appropriate surrender form before your appointment. Include as much detail as possible about your pet’s behavior, medical history, and care needs.
Opens in a new tab.We are also exploring options for online surrender forms to make this process easier for pet owners and shelter staff.
What Happens Next
- Call the shelter.
Staff will discuss your situation, confirm residency requirements, and explain whether an appointment can be scheduled. - Complete the correct surrender form.
Use the dog or cat surrender form and include as much detail as possible. - Attend your scheduled appointment.
Bring the completed form, proof of Flathead County residency, and any available veterinary records, medications, or other important information. - Staff will review your pet’s information.
This helps the shelter plan for care and determine the best next steps.
Contact Info
+1 (406) 752-1310
Email Us
+1 (406) 752-1546