Rehoming a Pet
Rehoming a Pet Through The Rescue Crew.
f you’re facing the difficult decision to rehome your pet, we’re here to offer guidance and support. While The Rescue Crew strives to help as many companion animals as possible, there are important limitations to our foster-based model that may affect our ability to bring an animal into rescue.
Before You Begin: What to Know
The Rescue Crew is a 100% volunteer-run, foster-based organization.
We do not have a physical shelter—every animal in our care lives in a private foster home. Because of this, placement depends on foster availability and the individual needs of your pet.
To determine whether we can assist, we rely on the information provided in your Surrender Request Form.
We were founded to help local animals at immediate risk of euthanasia in Minnesota shelters, and much of our foster capacity is reserved for those urgent cases. For this reason, we cannot guarantee placement for owner surrenders and strongly encourage you to explore multiple rescue options and review our Resources to Rehome Your Pet on Your Own.
Requirements for Owner Surrenders & Adoption Returns.
Medical Requirements
To be considered for intake, pets must meet the following:
Pets 3+ months: Up-to-date on core vaccinations
Dogs 6+ months: Spayed/neutered and heartworm tested
Cats 6+ months: Spayed/neutered and tested for FIV/FeLV
All pets: Full medical history and vaccination records must be provided
We Are Unable to Assist With
Temporary or short-term boarding
Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) needs
Terminally or chronically ill pets
Financial assistance for pet medical care
Stray animals (must complete legally required stray-hold process first)
If You Found a Stray Animal
Stray pets cannot be surrendered until legal requirements have been met. This includes:
Completing the mandatory 5–7 day stray hold (varies by jurisdiction)
Notifying local authorities, shelters, and veterinary clinics
Scanning for a microchip
Posting in public forums to locate an owner
After due diligence and once the stray-hold period has passed, you may be considered the pet’s legal owner and may then submit a Surrender Request.
Behavior Requirements
Because our foster homes include resident pets and often children, we are unable to accept pets with:
Animal aggression or a requirement to be an “only pet”
Any history or indication of aggression toward adults or children
A bite history
A municipal designation of Dangerous or Potentially Dangerous
Severe separation anxiety
Inappropriate litterbox use (cats)
Cats who are unsocial, semi-feral, feral, or require long-term rehabilitation
Transparency is essential. Full and accurate behavioral information ensures the safety of your pet and our foster caregivers.
How to Begin the Surrender Process
Step 1 — Complete the Surrender Request Form
Provide all required details, including medical records if available.
Step 2 — If You Cannot Upload Records
Email veterinary documentation and recent photos to Intake@RescueCrew.org, noting that you have already completed the online form.
Step 3 — Our Team Will Follow Up
A member of our intake team will reach out to discuss your request, timeline, and (if needed) a behavioral assessment before we can commit to placement.
Please check your junk/spam folder for our reply—emails occasionally land there. Allow up to 72 hours for a response.
