What to Do If You Can’t Keep Your Dog
Sometimes, due to unforeseen life circumstances such as moving, finances, health, or behavior challenges, dog owners find themselves unable to continue caring for their pet. It's a difficult and emotional situation, but there are compassionate and responsible steps you can take to ensure your dog’s safety and well-being.
Explore Support Resources Before Surrender
Before considering surrendering your dog, check out local support options. Many shelters and humane organizations offer programs that might help you keep your pet.
- Pet food assistance: Community food pantries or pet-specific aid may help feed your dog during financial hardship.
- Low-cost veterinary care: Access affordable medical services provided by nonprofits or clinics.
- Behavioral training support: Consult professional trainers or shelter-run programs to address behavioral issues.
- Temporary foster care: Transitional fostering allows time to stabilize your situation while keeping your pet safe.
Attempt to Rehome Your Dog Personally
Rehoming your dog yourself helps reduce shelter overcrowding and allows you to choose the right new home.
- Ask friends and family: Share your situation and seek trusted individuals who may adopt the dog.
- Use social media and online adoption sites: Platforms like Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com or local Facebook pet groups are effective.
- Contact breed-specific rescues: These organizations focus on particular breeds and often assist with adoption placement.
Contact Local Shelters or Rescues If Rehoming Fails
If rehoming proves unfeasible, shelters and rescue groups remain a last-resort option. It’s vital to approach them respectfully and be open to their processes.
- Schedule an appointment: Most shelters require pre-arranged visits and don’t accept walk-ins.
- Prepare necessary documentation: Bring veterinary records, proof of ownership, and complete all required forms.
- Bring comforting items: Blankets, toys, or familiar objects ease your dog’s transition into unfamiliar surroundings.
- Understand surrender fees: Fees, which vary by facility, help cover the pet’s care costs, with higher fees for multiple pets or out-of-area intakes.
- Be aware of space limitations: Priority may be given to injured, stray, or at-risk animals; residency requirements may apply.
What Happens After a Dog Is Surrendered?
Once surrendered, the dog becomes the legal property of the shelter or organization. The outcomes for surrendered pets can differ depending on the facility’s policies and resources.
- Adoption: Healthy, social dogs are often adopted by families.
- Transfer to rescue partners: Some dogs are moved to specialized rescue organizations.
- Humane euthanasia: As a last resort, dogs may be euthanized if they’re severely ill, unsafe, or unadoptable—though many shelters avoid this for healthy animals.
- No time limit policies: Some institutions offer lifelong care without deadlines for adoption, especially no-kill shelters.
Your Rights and Responsibilities
When you surrender your dog, you relinquish all legal rights and ownership. However, it’s worth asking the shelter about their policies and your options if problems arise.
- Follow up if permitted: Some shelters may allow limited updates on the dog, though adopters' information remains private.
- Counseling support: Staff may advise you before surrender and help with the emotional weight of the decision.
Steps Summary Before Surrendering
- Review financial, medical, and training support options.
- Try rehoming through personal networks, breed-specific groups, or online services.
- Contact local shelters for guidance on fees and requirements.
- Prepare all documents and bring animal comfort items.
- Understand the legal and emotional gravity of surrendering a pet.
Surrender should only be considered after exhausting all other possibilities. Your dog deserves the best outcome possible, and with planning and compassion, you can help make that happen.
