The decision to surrender your dog is undoubtedly difficult. Sometimes, the process may even feel similar to grief and loss. Although there is a stigma around choosing to say farewell to your pet, sometimes life’s circumstances leave few options. The rising cost of pet care, for example, can leave some without alternative options. The most important thing to remember is to act with compassion and thoughtful consideration. Here are some essential things to remember when surrendering your dog.
Consider all options before surrendering your dog
Before you surrender your dog, consider all the options. Research alternatives to surrender. If your dog is experiencing behavioral problems, it may be worth the time and investment to look into training or behavioral counseling. If you are experiencing financial hardship and are unable to cover costs, many rescue organizations and non-profits offer care assistance or other low-cost resources. After weighing these options, you might still feel you are unable to provide for your pet. In this case, you may want to consider speaking to those in your close circle. A friend or relative may be willing to care for your pup.
If this is not an option, contact a rescue organization. Shelters are also an option, but should only be considered as a last resort. Many are overcrowded and the surrender intake queue can be very long. Never abandon your dog. Doing so can lead to illness, starvation, injury, abuse, or even death for your pet.
Prepare your pet
There are a number of preparations that should be made before surrendering your dog. Ensure your pet is up-to-date on all vaccinations and is spayed or neutered. Prepare copies of vet records and any additional pertinent information regarding your pet’s behavior, personality, or medical history.
The separation between pet and owner can be hard for everyone involved. To aid in the transition, pack a bag with your pet’s favorite toys, food, blankets, treats, and bedding. This may help your pet acclimate to their new surroundings and decrease stress in the process.
Be honest
It is important to provide the shelter or rescue organization with up-to-date, truthful information about your pet’s medical and behavioral history. Disclose any temperamental issues, including aggression and other behavioral difficulties, as well as medical history. Although this may feel like a deterrent from an organization deciding to take your dog, this will ultimately help staff members place your pup in a new home that is right for them.
Stay involved
There are multiple ways to stay involved, even after you surrender your dog. You can ask about your pup’s adoption status, for example. You may also want to donate to the organization that took in your pet. This helps makes it possible for the organization to continue its important efforts. Contemplate what you have learned from this experience. Reflecting on this process may help prevent surrendering a pet in the future.
The American Humane Society also suggests using the Adopt-a-Pet rehoming tool. The platform gives pet owners a way to stay involved in the process of rehoming their pets. The Adopt-a-Pet staff carefully reviews adopter profiles. This is a safer way of finding a home for your pup, rather than using online marketplaces such as Craiglist.
As heart-wrenching and difficult as the decision may be, sometimes pet surrender is unavoidable. If done for the right reasons and after careful consideration, it is not a failure in responsibility or morality. In fact, making the decision after considering what is best for you and your pet may be one of the most meaningful ways to say goodbye.
Before you return your dog to a shelter, read about some possible alternatives to surrender. If you decide surrender is the only option for you, do so humanely with these tips.
