HSLC Animal Intake Policy

Our animals come from various circumstances and places. We receive animals as transfers from overcrowded shelters and other rescues, strays, and through our Trap-Neuter-Return Program for Community Cats and kittens.

Rescues from Overcrowded Shelters

Our first priority for saving animals is always to save them from being euthanized in overcrowded shelters, usually from southern Virginia and West Virginia. We will always give the highest priority for animal intake to dogs, cats, and kittens that are about to be killed in shelters.

Strays

Many of our adult cats and older kittens are found as strays while doing TNR in Community Cat (feral) colonies. Sometimes they are lost,  dumped, or left behind when the family moves. We make every effort to find their owners, but when we can’t, we provide any needed medical care before putting them up for adoption.

Stray dogs should be handled by Loudoun County Animal Services, 703-777-0406.

Kittens

The majority of our kittens are found year round in Community Cat colonies. If we can trap them before they become too old to socialize (usually about 10-12 weeks old), we put them into foster homes. The foster will work with the kittens to socialize them and get them ready for adoption. Once they receive their first round of vaccinations they are usually ready for adoption.

Owner Surrenders

Animal Admission is at the discretion of HSLC

Due to our limited number of foster homes and our commitment to animals in danger at rural, overcrowded shelters we do not usually accept owner surrenders. We recommend contacting Loudoun County Animal Services, 703-777-0406, for assistance; they have a very high successful adoption rate and it is a safe place to surrender animals.

If we accept an animal as an owner surrender, the animal must be up-to-date on vaccinations and spayed or neutered. You are required to complete and sign an Owner Surrender Form. We also ask for a $50 donation for each animal surrendered.

Animal Return Policy

Animals previously adopted from HSLC will be admitted under any circumstances. There is no time limit on our return policy.

For information about surrendering a pet, or for help keeping the pet in the home, contact us at helpanimals@humaneloudoun.org