Owner surrenders & found dogs OR CATS

Remember, surrendering a pet is a difficult decision, and we are here to offer support and understanding throughout the process if we are in a position to do so. Our goal is to find the best possible outcome for your dog and ensure they receive the care and love they deserve. Thank you for considering our rescue organization as a safe haven for your furry friend. Please note that submitting an owner surrender form does not guarantee placement within our rescue. 

• Consult with a professional trainer and if possible, remove all triggers or issues the animal is having within their current environment. 

Be prepared to share important details about your dog/cat, including their age, breed, health status, behavior, any relevant background information, and pictures. The more we know, the better we can care for your pet.

If available, provide your dog's or cat's veterinary records, including vaccination history and any medical treatments received. This information helps us tailor our care to your pet's specific needs.

Openly discuss any behavioral or health concerns. Transparent communication ensures that we can offer the best possible care and find an appropriate home for your dog or cat.

Once initial details are discussed, we may schedule a meet-and-greet to assess the behavior and temperament of your dog or cat. This helps us determine the most suitable foster or adoptive home.

If both parties agree that surrendering your dog or cat to our rescue is the best course of action, you must sign our surrender agreement. This document outlines the terms and conditions of the surrender.

Reach out to our rescue organization through our designated contact channels. This could be via email or waiting until you hear from us after submitting the surrender form linked above.

While we don't require a surrender fee, donations to support the care of your dog or cat are greatly appreciated. These funds contribute to veterinary expenses, food, and other necessities.

If safe to do so, approach the animal slowly and calmly. Speak in a soothing voice to avoid frightening them. Be mindful of their body language and any signs of fear or aggression. It may be best to sit on the ground and let them come to you if they will.

Look for tags on the pet's collar that may contain the owner's contact information. If there is a collar with a tag, call and text the number on there to inform the owner about their pet's whereabouts. 

If the animal has no visible identification and appears to be in immediate danger (e.g., near a busy road), try to secure them safely. Use a leash, a piece of rope, or any other suitable item to create a makeshift lead.

If able to secure the pet safely and there Is no visible ID tag, bring the pet to be checked for a microchip. Many veterinary clinics, shelters, and even a local Petsmart will scan for a microchip for free to identify the owner. If there is a microchip, they will either give you the chip number and the maker of the chip or they will call the maker themselves to check for registration. In the case where they give you the information, you will want to call the chip company to notify them you found an animal and what the chip number is as they will try to contact the owners if it is registered. 

Even if you are unable to secure the pet, snap a photo of the animal then share the pet's photo and details on local community groups, social media platforms, and websites dedicated to lost and found pets (i.e. Pawboost). Many owners actively search these platforms. Make sure to note exactly where you last saw the pet, including the crossroads if you remember.

If someone claims to be the owner, make sure they provide proof and do not rehome the animal until the legal stray hold for the area you live in has passed & you've networked the pet as found all over social media. 

Inform nearby animal shelters about the found pet. Provide them with a description, picture, and your contact information. 

All shelters are busting at the seams, so if you could hold onto the animal until the owner may be found or you can find rescue placement, please do so! Preventing that pet from going to the shelter will save that pet's life and many others already inside the local shelters that are constantly having to euthanize for space.

If you have completed all steps above and still unable to locate the owners, then you can reach out to us to surrender the pet if we are able to find placement for the animal. All of the local shelters and rescues are completely full and busting at the seams, so please understand that we cannot guarantee placement of the animal within our rescue. 

We are far more likely to be able to intake the pet that you found if you are willing and committed to foster the pet until adoption. If so, please fill out a foster application after speaking with us, submitting a surrender form, and receiving approval by us to take the animal into the rescue.