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Rehoming Your Animal

Thank you for reaching out to BrightSide Animal Center regarding surrendering your animal. The priority focus of BrightSide is handling stray animals. Keeping these animals safe and getting them off the streets protects public safety in our communities. As a result, owner surrendered animals are by appointment only and based on capacity.
We understand that making the decision to re-home a family animal is a difficult one. Please read through the following information for resources that may help you find a solution. If there are no resources that fit your need, please fill out our surrender form below and our intake team will be in contact.

Surrender Fees: 
Surrender fees help offset the cost of vaccinations and medical care for each pet.
• Cat: $50
• Dog: $100
• Litters: $200
 
* If you are experiencing financial hardship, please let us know. Our goal is to work with pet owners whenever possible.
Dog Surrender Form
Cat Surrender Form

Solutions Checklist

  •  Have you tried finding your pet a new home on your own?
  •  Have you checked with family/friends/neighbors/co-workers to see if they can take your pet?
  • Are you struggling with training issues? Have you contacted local dog trainers or looked online for virtual classes or free training videos?
  • Have you tried re-homing your dog or cat using the Adopt-A-Pet portal or the Home-to-Home portal?
  • Have you tried re-homing your rabbit or guinea pig using, Rescue Me! or Guinea Pig Finder ?
  • Have you listed your pet on NextDoor.com, Craigslist, or Facebook?
  • Have you tried short-term boarding as a temporary solution?
  • Have you talked with your doctor about obtaining a prescription for Emotional Support Animal; that will allow you to keep a pet even if a landlord/property manager directs you otherwise?
  •  Have you tried setting up a GoFundMe to raise funds for a vet procedure or pet deposit?
  •  Have you contacted Dogs on Deployment regarding the safe keeping of your pet while you are on active duty?
  •  If you are looking at surrendering your pet due to medical concerns, please consult with a veterinarian. We understand the cost of medical care can be frightening but there are programs aimed at keeping pets and their families together while ensuring the pet stays healthy. Ask your veterinarian about Care Credit options.
  •  If you are looking at surrendering your pet due to landlord concerns or moving please remember that your pet is a part of your family and would be happiest with you. Often obtaining renters insurance will help property owners feel more at ease with allowing an animal. We suggest you contact an insurance company prior to giving up hope.
  • Have you tried adding enrichment for your cat? More information below from our friends at Cat Topia. 

Transforming Indoor Life: Essential Enrichment for Healthier, Happier Cats

A gray tabby cat stands on a wooden deck enclosed with wire mesh, looking alertly to the right.

Imagine spending your entire life within the same four walls, day in and day out, with limited freedom to explore or engage with the world around you. For many indoor-only cats, this is their reality, and without proper enrichment, it can lead to boredom, stress, and even health issues. Enrichment is essential to their well-being, as it provides the mental and physical stimulation they need for a fulfilling life. To support their mental and physical well-being, it’s important to provide indoor cats with enriching experiences that mimic the stimulation they would encounter in the wild.

What is Enrichment for Cats?

Cat enrichment involves providing activities and items that allow cats to express their natural behaviors, like hunting, climbing, and scratching. This can include interactive toys, puzzle feeders, cat trees, or even window perches that let them watch birds and outdoor activity. By creating an engaging environment, enrichment helps keep cats physically active and mentally stimulated, offering them a more fulfilling indoor life.

A white cat is walking down a wooden ramp attached to a brick wall, with several wall-mounted cat shelves and platforms visible.

Dangers of a Lack of Enrichment

Mental Impacts:

A lack of enrichment can lead to significant mental health issues for cats, impacting their mood and overall behavior. Without proper stimulation, cats may experience problems like:

  • Depression: Marked by a loss of interest in play and social interaction.
  • Anxiety: Often seen through excessive grooming, hiding, or clingy behavior.
  • Boredom: Leads to restless behavior, such as pacing or vocalizing more than usual.
  • Aggression: Frustration from lack of activity can cause irritability and aggression toward people or other pets.

To recognize if your cat is under-stimulated, watch for signs like excessive sleeping, lethargy, or destructive behaviors such as scratching furniture or knocking things over. These behaviors often indicate they need more mental and physical engagement in their environment.

Infographic detailing the dangers of boredom in indoor cats, including destructive behavior, depression, obesity, excessive grooming, and aggression.

Physical Impacts:

Without sufficient activity, cats are at risk for physical health issues that can significantly impact their quality of life, including:

  • Obesity: Often a result of inactivity and overeating, leading to joint stress and other health concerns.
  • Diabetes: Reduced activity and weight gain can increase the risk of insulin resistance.
  • Muscle Weakness: Lack of exercise can cause muscle loss and reduced mobility.

To spot signs of physical decline, watch for noticeable weight gain, reduced movement, or a lack of energy during playtime. As an owner, it’s essential to monitor these signs closely to ensure your cat maintains a healthy, active lifestyle.

Ways to Add Enrichment for Indoor Cats

  1. Interactive playtime: Toys that mimic prey, such as feather wands, or motorized toys, help engage your cat’s hunting instincts. Regular play sessions not only provide exercise but also help reduce stress.
  2. Vertical spaces: Cats love to climb and perch. Adding cat trees, shelves, or window perches gives them places to observe their environment from new angles, fulfilling their climbing instincts.
  3. Puzzle feeders and treat dispensers: These are great for stimulating your cat’s mind while rewarding them with food. They encourage problem-solving and slow down mealtime, making eating more interactive.
  4. Rotating toys and creating hiding spots: Switching out toys regularly and offering new spaces for your cat to explore can prevent boredom and keep things fresh. Even simple changes like moving furniture can give your cat a new perspective on their home.
  5. Create Sensory Experiences: Cats thrive on sensory stimulation. Simple additions, such as cat-safe plants (like cat grass or catnip), crinkly paper, or different textured mats, can add intrigue to their environment. Rotating these items keeps things fresh, encouraging your cat to explore and enjoy the novelty. Even playing calming music specifically made for cats or using calming pheromones can help create a more relaxing environment.
Infographic showing four ways to enrich a cat's life: interactive toys, bird feeder by window, scheduled playtime, and leash walks.

Why a Catio is the Perfect Solution for Indoor Cats

A catio, or “cat patio,” is an enclosed outdoor space that allows indoor cats to safely experience the outdoors. It provides them with a secure area to observe, explore, and interact with the sights, sounds, and smells of nature. Catios come in a range of sizes and designs, offering cats a stimulating environment while keeping them protected from the dangers of free roaming.

A wooden and wire enclosure with a green metal roof is attached to the side of a house, featuring shelves, ramps, and a hanging basket inside.

Mental Health Benefits:

  • Natural Stimulation: Provides cats with enriching views of birds, plants, and outdoor activity, which keeps them mentally engaged.
  • Reduced Stress: Fresh air and new sensory experiences help reduce anxiety and prevent boredom.
  • Curiosity Fulfillment: Allows cats to safely explore and satisfy their natural curiosity without leaving the protection of their home.

Physical Health Benefits:

  • Increased Exercise: Encourages movement as they climb, stretch, and navigate different levels within the catio.
  • Weight Management: Physical activity in a catio helps prevent obesity and related health issues.
  • Better Muscle Tone: Opportunities for climbing and stretching promote muscle development and physical agility.

Enrichment’s Role in Helping Cats Adjust to New Homes

Moving into a new home is a major adjustment for any cat, especially if they’re shy or have had limited socialization. Enrichment can make this process easier by offering consistent routines, safe spaces, and mental engagement that reduce stress and anxiety. When a cat has positive outlets for their energy, they’re more likely to feel confident and secure in their new environment.

Catios can be especially beneficial in this adjustment phase. Having access to a quiet, enclosed outdoor space can offer a shy or anxious cat a chance to observe their new surroundings without feeling overstimulated or overwhelmed. With time, they may start associating the catio with relaxation and comfort, which can help make the rest of the home feel safe and familiar as well.

A black cat with wide eyes lounges on a wooden ledge in an enclosed outdoor catio, with a cat tree and pet door visible in the background.

The Path to a Happier, Healthier Indoor Cat

Adding enrichment to your indoor cat’s life is one of the most impactful ways to support their happiness, health, and overall well-being. From interactive toys to a safe outdoor catio, each element of enrichment allows your cat to express natural instincts, stay mentally engaged, and maintain physical fitness. By providing a variety of stimulating experiences, you’re helping them lead a fulfilling, contented life within the safety of your home. At the end of the day, your cat’s quality of life is in your hands—giving them a rich environment ensures they live their best life possible.

Cat Topia