"Hamish is contracted for 2013," McDonald told kangaroos.com.au.
"However we acknowledge his request to look for opportunities elsewhere and will consider all options during the trade period in the coming weeks."
McIntosh's manager Tom Petroro is fully aware North is not under any obligation to do a deal.
"We've asked [North Melbourne] to be fair in their negotiations and, if possible, facilitate a trade if it suits both parties," Petroro said on AFL.com.au's AFL Trade Radio.
"There's interest across three or four clubs but I would say Geelong is the keenest and probably the one that we're prepared to go down the path with at this point.
"Some of the other clubs that have shown some interest … might have been interested in Quinten Lynch and I guess at this point Geelong are in the box seat."
McIntosh suffered a knee injury in round seven against the Western Bulldogs that ultimately kept him out for the rest of 2012.
He had Ligament Augmentation and Reconstruction System (LARS) surgery to replace the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in his right knee.
Petroro said McIntosh had recovered well from that surgery and was due to start running next Monday.
"His body is good," Petroro said.
"As of next week he should start running; he's been on the cross trainer.
"He had LARS surgery to his PCL. He was probably one of the first players in the AFL to do it, but it's recovered really well.
"I'm no medico but the surgeons tell me that the first two weeks are the most crucial in your rehab and he got through that period really well."
McIntosh is contracted at North until the end of next season and can only move to a new club through the AFL Trade Period, which starts next Monday.
