Pet surrender

Domestic animals surrendered to Our center for care find forever homes through our adoption initiative.

At Carolina Waterfowl Rescue, we are committed to offering long-term housing and care to the pet varieties disproportionately left out of animal welfare systems. CWR is an option for responsible pet rehoming for domestic bird species, and occasionally reptiles and farm animals.

We act as a “shelter” for these pets, and through the work of our animal care team and our adoption program, we are able to provide ongoing care for animals until we secure permanent adoptive placement for them within the community.

We understand the decision to surrender is a weighted one. For more information on formally surrendering an animal to us, read our guidelines and expectations below. Our process is 100% transparent and always in the animals’ best interest.

Pet surrender should be pre-approved with us beforehand by texting our hotline at (704) 286-6330.

!

WE do not accept dogs or cats at any time.

  • You must be the legal owner of the animal or have express permission to surrender on the rightful owner's behalf.

  • We require the signature of the legal owner on the Owner Surrender Form, which can be printed out and completed prior to arriving to the rescue.

    • Click to download or print Owner Surrender Form.

  • There is no fee for surrendering; however, donations are always appreciated to help support surrendered and re-homed animals.

  • If you surrender an animal, you give up all rights, title, and interest in and to that animal. All future decisions regarding this animal, including placement, become privileged and confidential and will be made solely by Carolina Waterfowl Rescue.

  • At this time, we are unable to give e-mail or photo updates of surrendered animals.

  • Once you have formally surrendered a pet to us, you are unable to adopt an animal from or volunteer at Carolina Waterfowl Rescue at any point in the future.

  • You are no longer financially responsible for any services deemed necessary post-surrender. Animal care may include medical treatment, transfer to another facility, release, adoption, or euthanasia, and will be determined at the sole discretion of Carolina Waterfowl Rescue.

Guidelines

Related Info

What If I Found A Stray Animal?

If you have found an animal that you believe is a domestic stray, please text a photo of the animal and a description of the situation to our hotline at (704) 286-6330 for advice.

  • It helps us provide better service and prepare for an animal's arrival if you text us at least 2 days in advance to request an Owner Surrender Appointment. Our text-only hotline can be reached at (704) 286-6330 from 8 AM to 8 PM daily in the spring/summer and 8 AM to 6 PM daily in the fall/winter. For less urgent inquiries, you may also email us at hotline@cwrescue.org.

  • During the Owner Surrender Appointment, the animal exchanges hands, you complete and sign CWR's Owner Surrender Form, and you may also donate any care supplies/ monetary support at this time.

  • When filling out the Owner Surrender Form, be sure to list as much information about your animal's health as possible, including things like vaccination and deworming history.

  • Relinquishing a pet can be a stressful and emotional time for your family and the pet. Remember that we are here to help and can better assist you within an environment that remains respectful and courteous towards volunteers and staff.

Expectations

  • Domestic Waterfowl Geese, ducks, swans.

  • Domestic Landfowl Chickens, turkeys, guineas, quail, peafowl, and pheasants.

  • Indoor Birds Pigeons, doves, parrots, canaries, finches.

  • Other Domestic Birds Emus.

Animals We Can Accept

  • Domestic Mammals Dogs, cats, Pigs, horses.

  • Exotic Mammals Monkeys, lemurs, “pet” raccoons & other rabies-vector Mammal species.

View our domestic mammal referrals for help with pet placement.

Animals We CAnnOT Accept

Animals We Accept on a case-by-case Basis

In order to get approval for any of the below listed animals, you MUST text us first at (704) 286-6330 and communicate with our hotline team. Without prior approval, we reserve the right to turn you away due to spatial or financial constraints.

Domestic reptiles, Amphibians + Insects

  • Snakes

  • Lizards

  • Turtles

  • Tortoises

  • Frogs

  • Toads

  • Salamanders

  • Spiders

  • Roaches

  • Beetles

Domestic MAMMALS

  • Rabbits

  • Ferrets

  • Hamsters

  • Guinea Pigs

  • Chinchillas

  • Goats

  • Donkeys

  • Cows

Domestic Aquatics

  • Fish

  • Crabs

  • Shrimp

  • Snails

!

High Volume Notice

**Please note we are contacted daily by numerous individuals seeking to bring their animal or a stray animal to us. Our facility has limited space and funding. We receive a significant amount of owner surrender requests for chicks and ducklings in the Spring season. We accept them as space allows; however, we reserve the right to temporarily close our surrender acceptances for any animal if we are over capacity.

Provide A Care Donation

Donations are never required but are always appreciated. Many individuals wish to continue providing financially for the pet they are surrendering, as long as they are able. Donate now to contribute to an animal’s ongoing care post-surrender.