Dropping off Strays
We accept stray animals from Albany and Rensselaer counties. There is no fee for dropping off a stray animal. You will need a photo ID and we will ask for some information about when and where you found the pet. If you bring us a stray animal from another jurisdiction, we will ask you to bring it to the shelter that is responsible for strays in that area. Owners who have lost pets will look to their local shelter. Found pets should be at the shelter nearest where they were found. If you find or spot a dog running loose, call the local police department and/or animal control for assistance.
Please note that we cannot accept feral cats. Here are some tips for determining if a found cat is stray or feral:
Stray Cats: Stray cats have been socialized to humans at some point and have somehow lost their home. Stray cats typically (although not always) vocalize and approach for food and attention. A stray cat can be successfully handled in a shelter and placed in an adoptive home. A stray cat is considered owned by you if you have taken responsibility for feeding and sheltering it for a period of 14 days or more.
Feral Cats: Feral cats are not human-social, are fearful of people and prefer to live outdoors in the company of other cats. Feral cats cannot be handled in an animal shelter, as they are fearful of human contact and will injure themselves to avoid it. The stress of being in the shelter and being handled by humans also leads to increased risk of illness for feral cats, who are more difficult to treat and vaccinate. This is why shelters often do not accept feral cats. There are local groups that specialize in helping communities with feral cat colonies.
Surrendering Owned Pets
We accept healthy, adoptable pets as owner surrenders from all jurisdictions by appointment. Requests for appointments are made by phone and messages are returned within 48 hours. You will be asked to fill out an owner surrender questionnaire and to bring your pet in for an assessment at an agreed-upon date and time. Only the legal owner of the pet, or the owner's legal guardian or proxy, can surrender the pet. Typically, vet records in your name will be sufficient proof of ownership.
Animals that are deemed adoptable will be vaccinated, if necessary, and either taken in that day or given a specific date and time to return for surrender. Those who need food or litter to keep the animal until their surrender date can take advantage of our Pet Pantry. We do not charge a surrender fee, but we do ask for a donation to help offset the substantial cost of caring for the pet until adoption. We do not turn away those who cannot donate.
Pets We Cannot Place for Adoption
Pets with a history of attack/guard dog training, human aggression, significant animal aggression or lack of human socialization, or who demonstrate any such behaviors during assessment, cannot be accepted into our adoption program. Likewise, any pet with significant physical health issues cannot be accepted into our adoption program.
If we cannot take your pet into our adoption program: You can reach out to rescue groups who may be able to help you. There are rescues that specialize in particular breeds, health issues, behavioral issues, etc. We maintain a list of local organizations that may be able to assist you and will discuss the options with you. You can also advertise the pet yourself through social media, classified ads and word-of-mouth. Many people find success placing their pets themselves this way. If the pet is not safe to be placed due to significant behavioral issues, humane euthanasia through your veterinarian is an option.
Abandoned Animals
Animal abandonment is a misdemeanor offense under Agriculture & Markets Law 335. If you suspect an animal has been abandoned, please call us to schedule a tentative drop-off appointment. We can only accept the animal if you have followed the legally required steps to deem the animal abandoned and can provide documentation.
If the animal was to be in your care for a set period of time and the owner has not returned to claim the animal, you must send 10 days' notice of your intent to deem the animal abandoned to the owner at their last known address via registered mail. If there was no agreed-upon pick-up date, the notice time must be 20 days. We will schedule your intake as close to the date the notice expires as possible, so please provide us with as much lead time as possible. On the day of your intake appointment, you must send a letter, via registered mail, to the owner giving notice that you have brought the abandoned animal to MHHS. This process legally transfers the pet into our care.
Landlords: If the abandoned animal has been left behind during an eviction, the marshal or sheriff serving the eviction notice is legally required to make arrangements to either return the animal to the evicted owner or to transfer the animal to MHHS if the animal's owner cannot be located.
If you have reason to believe your tenant has abandoned their property, leaving behind uncared-for pets, call your local law enforcement agency and/or animal control officer for assistance under Agriculture & Markets Law 353, which outlines acts and omissions considered to be animal cruelty, such as failing to provide proper food and drink. Please do not attempt to bring the animal to us yourself, as this opens you up to liability. Work with local law enforcement to protect yourself and the abandoned pets.
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