Re-homing

Adoption Returns and Public Guardian Surrenders

The San Francisco SPCA will accept the return of any animal adopted from our facility, regardless of the reason. Adoption Returns are scheduled daily between 12:00 noon and 5:00 p.m. based on appointment and staff availability. Guardians who wish to return their adopted cat or dog should call 415-522-3541 to schedule an appointment. The SF SPCA will accommodate walk-ins if the animal needs to be returned immediately due to an emergency.

The San Francisco SPCA also offers Public Guardian Surrenders, a service for those who are unable to keep their dog or cat over the age of eight weeks, regardless of where the cat or dog came from. All Public Guardian Surrenders are by appointment-only and require a completed Dog History Form or Cat History Form. Again, owners can call 415-522-3541 to schedule an appointment.

*A non-refundable appointment fee is required in order to secure a Public Surrender appointment.
Fee Rate:
San Francisco Residents $25.00
Out of County Residents $40.00

**We are currently unable to schedule public surrender appointments for cats 6 months of age or older.

The SF SPCA is a limited-admission shelter. We accept guardian surrendered animals depending on their suitability for our adoption program and the space we have available. If it is determined that an animal is not a candidate for the SF SPCA’s adoption program due to health or behavior issues, the guardian will be referred to their local Animal Care & Control, a professional dog trainer, their veterinarian, or a rescue resource listing.

Seasonal Re-homing Program for Underage Kittens
The SF SPCA offers a re-homing program for the following underage kittens born in San Francisco:

  • Kittens (over 4 weeks old but weighing under 2 pounds)
  • Found stray or owned
  • Without moms; must be eating on their own (not nursing)
  • Owned friendly mom cat and underage kittens (2 weeks old, ears up/eyes open)

Underage kittens are eligible for behavior and medical assessment daily between the hours of 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., no appointment necessary. Underage kittens and mothers (if present) will be evaluated for age, health, and behavior for intake at our Spay / Neuter Clinic. Admittance to the SF SPCA Adoption program is based on health, behavior, and space.

Leanne B. Roberts Animal Care Center
201 Alabama Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
415-522-3541
re-homing@sfspca.org