Our Services

Relinquishing Animals

The Kansas Humane Society of Wichita accepts unwanted and stray animals at our shelter at 4218 Southeast Boulevard. A small incoming fee is requested for animals relinquished; however, we will turn no animal away if the owner or finder cannot pay the fee.

Some people feel that bringing a stray or unwanted animal to the Humane Society is the worst thing possible. They feel the animal must face a certain death. They feel guilty. Some decide against using Humane Society services, deciding instead to run a "free to a good home" advertisement, or talk a friend or neighbor into taking on the pet. Sometimes these situations work out well for the animal. But many times they don't, and there are no guarantees that the animal will be in good hands. Eventually, the animal may suffer. And it may wind up at a shelter after all -- if it's lucky.

At the Kansas Humane Society, we've been in the business of helping unwanted and lost animals since 1888. It's true that we cannot find a home for every animal we shelter. The problem of pet overpopulation makes that impossible for any shelter. But we do think we're the right place for unwanted and lost animals, for several reasons...

• People searching for new pets know to come here. Motivated adopters usually make good adopters, and that means a happy ending for a shelter pet.
• Owners searching for a lost pet know to look here. They will have an easier time finding their lost pet at a shelter than in a neighbor's living room or back yard.
• The state requires that every pet adopted from a shelter be spayed or neutered (and we agree!). To enforce this law, we collect a deposit at the time of adoption, that's returned once the animal is altered. A private citizen trying to find a home for an animal simply does not have this power, and therefore cannot be sure that the animal they've cared for is not contributing new, unwanted litters.
• Local veterinarians offer free health check ups to animals adopted from the Kansas Humane Society. This and other benefits we offer, gets animals off to healthy beginnings in their new homes.

Even if the sad prospect of euthanasia (by definition, a painless, humane death) is the end result for an animal brought to our shelter, consider the alternatives....    

• animals abandoned or dumped, who live out their lives on the streets or in the country, threatened daily by cars, starvation, wild animals, and extreme weather;
• animals given away by a well-intentioned person, to a home where a neglectful new owner doesn't know, or care, to provide the basics, like food, fresh water, exercise, or veterinary care;
• an unneutered cat or dog, who goes on to produce litter after litter of unwanted animals, who also produce litter after litter;
• pets who are passed from home to home like rented videos, never knowing the security of a permanent, loving family;
• finally, consider the worst case news stories of loving but unwanted pets, sought out by cruel individuals with only one thing in mind -- the abuse, torture and destruction of innocent creatures.

Finding homes for animals is our greatest joy. Euthanizing healthy, lovable animals is our greatest sorrow. Ending pet overpopulation, cruelty and neglect is our greatest hope. The Kansas Humane Society is working hard to solve the many large problems facing our companion animals. And we're here every day, caring for the animals who need help now. Please call us if you need assistance.

< Back to Our Services