November 17, 2025
By: Sarah A. Neikam, SPCA Albrecht Center Marketing Director

If you’re considering the heartbreaking decision of surrendering your pet to an animal shelter, you’re likely to discover bad news: animal shelters across our region are stretched to capacity with homeless, abandoned, and neglected animals, and very often do not have space to take in more. More importantly, shelters, despite the dedication of staff and volunteers, are inherently stressful environments for pets and should never be a first option for surrender.

The good news? Keeping families together is possible with the right support. Here are the resources available locally to help you through common challenges.

Financial hardship is one of the most common reasons people consider surrendering their pets. Sometimes all it takes is a bag of kibble to help someone keep their beloved companion during a tough month.

The SPCA Albrecht Center recently launched a Pet Food & Supply Pantry – a cabinet-style unit stocked with donated dog and cat food and supplies, available 24/7 for families facing financial hardship. Located at 199 Willow Run Road, this resource is accessible anytime you’re in need.

FOTAS (Friends of the Animal Shelter) also operates a pet food pantry to support local families. Residents of Aiken County can email them with information about their pets, and they will have food ready for pickup by appointment.

Community members who want to help can donate food and supplies at the SPCA Albrecht Center’s shelter location, the SPCA Thrift Store at 1589 Whiskey Road, or at any offsite adoption or event location. Check the Facebook page for upcoming event locations.

Medical expenses are another major concern for pet owners. But before you decide you can’t afford to keep your pet, explore the affordable veterinary care available locally. The SPCA Vet Care Center operates a walk-in wellness clinic Monday through Friday from 1-4 PM. This clinic provides essential care at reduced costs, making preventive medicine and basic treatments accessible to families on tight budgets.

But the support goes even deeper for those who’ve served our community and country. Through the Pets for the Elderly program, senior pet owners can access special financial aid for veterinary care. This partnership recognizes that our elderly community members on reduced incomes shouldn’t have to choose between their health and their pet’s well-being.

For military veterans, the Vets 4 Vets fund provides crucial assistance with veterinary costs. Veterans have made sacrifices to serve and protect our nation, and their pets often provide irreplaceable comfort, companionship, and emotional support. The Vets 4 Vets fund helps cover routine checkups, treatments for illnesses,  and other essential services for veterans who may struggle with the financial burden of pet ownership.

These programs exist because we believe that the bond between a pet and their owner should be valued and supported, and no pet should be separated from the family who loves them simply because of a financial hardship.

Behavioral problems are frequently cited as reasons for surrender, but many of these issues can be resolved with proper guidance. If your pet is exhibiting challenging behaviors, the SPCA Albrecht Center wants to help before you reach the point of surrender.

While there isn’t a dedicated behavior program, you can email [email protected] with details about your situation and staff will respond with options, advice, and resources tailored to your specific challenges. Often, your pet simply needs structure and guidance to correct their behavior, and sometimes underlying medical problems that cause pain or discomfort can result in behavior changes. A veterinary visit through the low-cost wellness clinic can rule out or address these medical causes.

But if you’ve exhausted every resource and keeping your pet truly isn’t feasible, consider rehoming before turning to a shelter. Rehoming allows your pet to transition directly from your home to another, bypassing the stress and uncertainty of shelter life.

Start with your personal network. Ask trusted family, friends and neighbors if they or someone they know can provide a loving home. Online platforms like Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet, Home to Home, and local community social media pages can help you reach a broader audience of potential adopters. Get engaging photos and videos of your pet, showcasing what makes them great.

When you find a potential match, take time to ensure it’s a good fit. Discuss your pet’s needs and your expectations, and consider conducting a home visit. Many rehoming experts recommend charging a reasonable rehoming fee to ensure the adopter is making a thoughtful, committed decision.

All of these programs exist because of community support, and you can help ensure families stay together by:

Every contribution, whether food, funds, or time, helps prevent unnecessary surrenders and keeps the shelter focused on animals who truly have nowhere else to go.

Surrendering a pet should be an absolute last resort, explored only after every alternative has been exhausted. Before you make an irreversible decision, reach out. Let your community help. Because keeping pets and their families together is good for everyone. 🐾

Sarah Neikam is the Marketing Director for the SPCA Albrecht Center in Aiken, SC. She has been with the organization since 2012, holding various roles including Volunteer Coordinator and Director of Operations & HR. A Certified Animal Welfare Administrator as of 2022, Sarah is a passionate advocate for animal welfare. She resides in Aiken with her husband, Tom, and several beloved cats.