The number of surrender requests we've been getting in the last few months has been unprecedented -- and the shelters are all full and begging for rescue pulls, so something is going on.
We have a multi-pronged approach:
- If it's due to behavior, I give them names of affordable, good trainers who offer group classes that can problem-solve lots of issues.
- If it's due to vet issues, I give them the names of low-cost, no-frills vet clinics who charge less than half what the posh clinics charge.
- If it's due to moving, I give them names of apartment complexes that I know allow renters to owner our breed (which is often on breed-ban lists).
- If it's due to not being able to afford basic care like food, I try to get them a bag of food "right now" and then connect them with our city's fabulous Pets for Life coordinator who can get them connected with pet pantry and other resources.
I explain that public shelters are over-loaded and euthanasia risk is high and encourage them to problem-solve to try to keep the dog. This works about half the time -- we've had some over-joyed "thank you" emails from people who were very relieved to get to keep a beloved pet and just needed resources to help.
OTOH, if none of that helps, and they have to "get rid" of the dog, then I do two things:
First: Ask them to contact the breeder. Since we're dealing with purebred German Shepherds, I ask them to contact their breeder. ALL ethical breeders take back any dog they ever whelped for life and serve as the safety-net for the dogs they bring into the world. Their contracts usually require this -- they don't want their dogs going into the sheltering system. Of course, backyard breeders and puppymillers do not do this, but if the owner originally got the dog from a "good" breeder, then they should be able to rely on that breeder for rehoming support. That's part of why those breeders charge what they charge -- I've seen them move heaven and earth, driving across several states, to get back one of "theirs." One excellent breeder drove 1,000 miles to come and "adopt" a senior dog with mammary cancer from us, and keep her as a personal pet for the time she had left, when that dog she had brought into the world landed in a shelter. She fundraised for the medical care the dog needed so that it wouldn't burden the rescue. Ethical breeders are your best allies in these situations!
Second: Suggest that they use "Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet" to find a great home. https://rehome.adoptapet.com/
I explain that by using this resource, they can list their pet for FREE on a website where good adopters are looking, and their dog will appear right next to the rescue dogs, and the website will generate adoption applications for them to look through and eventually an adoption contract when they find a home they feel comfortable with. I recommend spay/neuter first to avoid attracting puppymillers (and give links to low-cost/voucher resources for that). I also recommend good, well-lit photos and telling people all about their dog's best personality traits, as well as honestly reporting any challenges. The owner will not get an adoption fee (no dog selling on this site!) -- the adoption fee charged by the Rehome program gets donated to charity. (You can get set up with a referral link that your organization can be that charity!)
FYI, I would be cautious about advertising "private rehoming" dogs on your organization's website or social media unless you have someone who goes to meet the dog and verify temperament -- that ad creates potential organizational liability if that dog bites someone who saw the dog advertised on your website.
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Maggie Thomas
President
Red Stick German Shepherd Rescue
LA
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-10-2023 07:39 AM
From: Michelle Dimaria
Subject: Owner Surrender Assistance
Does anyone have any experience with doing an owner adoption-assistance program, having your rescue assist owners in finding new homes for their pets before they surrender them to a shelter, while they foster the pet in the interim? We have been doing this for a while, as we do not have a lot of dog fosters, but are looking for ways to make it run more smoothly. Any advice would be appreciated!
#FosterPrograms
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Michelle Dimaria
President
Pet Adoption Alternative of Warren
MI
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