Surrender &
Consultation
Dutchess County SPCA is here to serve our community and their pets and we prioritize keeping families together.
Frequently, pet surrenders can be avoided if pet parents can get the help they need. DCSPCA offers a variety of programs for the community, to help keep pets in their homes.
We also have many workshops and events to help educate the community. If you are thinking of giving up your pet to the shelter, first look at the programs offered here by DCSPCA, to see if there is a resource that might address your reason for surrendering. We want to do all we can to help keep pets and families together.
We offer solutions, whether your struggle is due to:
If you would like to participate in these programs, or if you don't see a program here that meets your needs, please call our Intake Manager at ext. (845) 452-7722 ext. 403 to see if there is something we can do for you.
Financial Challenges
If you are considering surrendering your pet because they are ill or injured or need other regular wellness procedures (like dental work) and you are unable to afford veterinary care, we will treat your pet (if it is within our capabilities) and help you finance their care.
Our fees are less than a traditional private practice and we accept a few different types of alternative financing options that can also be combined with each other.
🤗 Apply for Care Credit - Care Credit does run a hard credit check but also provides no interest payments if the fee is paid in full within the promotional period (6, 12, or 18 months).
✏️ Apply for ScratchPay - ScratchPay runs a soft credit check (it won’t ding your credit score) and offers bi-weekly, 12 and 24 month payment plan options.
👍 VETBILLING - utilize VETBILLING's Pay-in-Advance plans or Pet Savings account. Learn more here.
Pet Behavior
Our canine and feline experts are always ready
to help and advise with behavioral issues such
as not using the litter box, resource guarding,
hiding, or excessive barking.
We also can advise on where to find
additional help.
Pet Food Insecurity
Food Insecurity is an unfortunate reality that affects many of our community members in the Hudson Valley. You shouldn’t feel like surrendering your pet is your only option when you can’t afford to feed them. Instead, please visit one our food pantry partners:
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Dutchess County SPCA Food Pantry - The pantry will be open by appointment 7 days a week and will be available to people on public assistance, seniors on fixed income, or anyone who can demonstrate need in some way. People wishing to avail themselves of this service will be briefly interviewed to determine the appropriate amount and diet for their pets, and then be given new, unopened bags and cans of pet food free of charge.
Anyone wishing to make an appointment to receive food should contact Dan O’Connell by calling 845-452-7722 ext. 435 or by emailing dan@dcspca.org. -
Reach Out Church Food Pantry of Hyde Park - For information visit their website or call (845) 229-6080. Address: 241 Crum Elbow Rd, Hyde Park, NY 12538
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Community Action Partnership - Dover Plains Food Pantry - For information visit their website or call (845) 877-9272 ext. 152
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Fishkill Food Pantry - Please call to make an appointment (845) 896-4546 Address: 1153 Main Street, Fishkill, NY 12524
Human Illness
Sometimes surrendering a pet is the only option when a family member falls ill and a new permanent family for their pet needs to be found.
The Boyd Pets Adoption Project
The Boyd Pets Adoption Project provides Hudson Valley Hospice patients and their families with a free service, through DCSPCA, to ensure that their beloved pets are cared for, and adopted upon the death of the patient. The program is made possible through funds established by the Susanne P. Boyd and Darrel Boyd Foundation for Animal Welfare.