Intake Services

Need Help Caring for Your Pet?

Before surrendering, let us help. If financial challenges are making pet care difficult, our Pet Food Banks offer free pet food for dogs and cats to families in need. We also offer low-cost vaccine clinics every month.

CLICK HERE to learn more about our Pet Food Banks and Vaccine Clinics.

Animal Intake Appointments

Life happens—and sometimes, continuing to care for a pet isn’t possible. At SPCA Tampa Bay, we’re here to help. As a For-All Shelter, our goal is to provide compassionate support for people and pets.

To surrender your pet:

Start by clicking the link below for the species you are surrendering.
Complete the pet personality profile, providing as much detail as possible so we can learn more about your pet.
Once complete, click submit. Your submitted form will go directly to our Intake Team.
Our team will contact you within 48 hours of receiving your completed form.

We prioritize requests from Pinellas County residents.

Walk-ins are accepted for euthanasia and cremation services, rabbit and pocket pet surrenders, and litters under 6 months. Appointments are always recommended – wait times can be up to 2 hours.

If you have questions about the intake process, please contact us via email at intake@spcatampabay.org, or call 727-586-3591 ext. 150.

Intake Fees

Dog

$60

Cat

$40

Rabbits, Guinea Pigs and Other Small Pets

$15

To surrender multiple pets or a different species, email us at intake@spcatampabay.org or call 727-586-3591 ext. 150 for more information.

Found a Stray Animal?

In Pinellas County: contact Pinellas County Animal Services at (727) 582-2600.

Visit: Animal Services Department – Pinellas County

Outside of Pinellas County – Contact the animal services department or sheriff’s office for the county where the animal was found.

SPCA Tampa Bay will accept strays from within Pinellas County only, when Pinellas County Animal Services is closed.

Facing Financial Hardship?

Before surrendering, let us help. If financial challenges are making pet care difficult, our Pet Food Banks offer free pet food for dogs and cats to families in need.

CLICK HERE to learn more about our Pet Food Banks.

What to Expect When You Surrender a Pet

A pet personality profile must be submitted. Our intake team will review the profile and contact you within 48 hours.
A form of ID is required to surrender a pet.
Please bring your pet’s medical records with you.

If you have questions about the intake process, please contact us via email at intake@spcatampabay.org, or call 727-586-3591 ext. 150.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a fee to admit a pet?

Pet owners are asked to pay a fee when their pet is admitted to help SPCA Tampa Bay with continuing the care of their pet. This includes safe shelter, healthy meals, professional medical care, and behavior support, all provided while a new home is sought.

Intake Fees

Dog

$60

Cat

$40

Rabbits, Guinea Pigs and Other Small Pets

$15

To surrender multiple pets or a different species, email us at intake@spcatampabay.org or call 727-586-3591 ext. 150 for more information.

Do you admit all stray dogs and cats?

No. We ask that you take all stray cats and dogs to Pinellas County Animal Services ~ 12450 Ulmerton Rd., Largo, FL 33774 ~ 727-582-2600

Do you admit pets from areas outside of Pinellas County?

SPCA Tampa Bay will accept strays from within Pinellas County only, when Pinellas County Animal Services is closed.

In Pinellas County: contact Pinellas County Animal Services at (727) 582-2600.

Animal Services Department – Pinellas County

Outside of Pinellas County – Contact the animal services department or sheriff’s office for the county where the animal was found.

Do you admit pets from areas outside of Pinellas County?

Yes! We accept owner surrendered pets from all over the Tampa Bay region. We prioritize requests from Pinellas County residents first. If we are not able to schedule an intake appointment right away, we can add your pet to our waitlist and schedule an appointment when we are able to accept your pet.

Can I have a friend or family member bring my pet to the appointment?

Yes, but there are some requirements. Only the legal owner of an animal can surrender the pet to our facility. Family and friends who have been asked to surrender a pet for a legal owner who is unable to do so in person must provide written and signed approval from the owner to surrender the pet on their behalf. The person must also have a copy of the surrendering person’s valid ID or Driver’s License.

Pinellas County Animal Services (PCAS) defines an owner as any person possessing, harboring, keeping or having control or custody of an animal. If the animal is owned by a person under the age of 18 years, that person’s parent or guardian is the animal’s legal owner. Thirty (30) days is the PCAS guideline for the length of time that an animal must be in a person’s custody for the animal to be owned by that person.

Will you admit animals that have bitten or scratched a person?

If your pet has bitten a person within the past 10 days, or your cat has scratched a person within the past 10 days, Florida law requires that it be reported to the Department of Health and the pet must be quarantined. Contact Pinellas County Animal Services at (727) 582-2600, or the animal services department where the bite or scratch occurred to report it.

SPCA Tampa Bay cannot accept animals that have bitten, or cats that have scratched a person within the past 10 days.