How to Decide When to Surrender an Animal to a Shelter
According to the Humane Society, as many as 6 to 8 million animals are taken into shelters each year, and 3 to 4 million of those are euthanized. Pets are a large responsibility, requiring much care over their lifespan, which is typically 12 to 15 years. Yet, sometimes circumstances can arise that make it difficult for a family to fulfill that responsibility. Circumstances might include the loss of a home or job, allergies to the pet or an inability to deal with the pet's behavioral problems. When you are deciding if your cat or dog should be surrendered to an animal shelter, there are several things to consider first.
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Instructions
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Evaluate your reason for wanting to give up the pet and research possible solutions. Many common reasons for giving up an animal have manageable remedies. For example, various behavior problems can be overcome by working with an animal behaviorist or trainer.
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Talk to friends, family, co-workers and neighbors. Many loving homes are found by simply asking the people you know.
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Talk with your veterinarian, who is sure to be a wealth of knowledge about individuals and local groups that rescue and find new homes for pets. Some veterinary offices even have their own adoption services.
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Check with your local pet supply stores. Large retailers, such as Petco and PetSmart, host adoption programs and events. These stores do not directly take in animals but work closely with many animal organizations that do.
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Look for animal rescue networks in your community and online. Many animal rescue groups are private and nonprofit, meaning they rely on grants and donations. They are generally smaller and have a limited budget but are usually preferable to crowded, noisy shelters. In general, they also are more successful at finding homes for pets. Purebred rescue organizations that specialize in a particular breed are also available.
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Contact all local animal shelters to learn of their policies and requirements. Municipal shelters are those that are tax-funded and must euthanize at their discretion. Many shelters have waiting lists, and most will charge some sort of fee to surrender an animal.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure to offer all pet supplies and food to the new home.
Have shot records available and share veterinary contact information with the home or shelter.
Check with your shelter if you choose to surrender a pet and cannot afford the fees. Many will accept donations of other items, such as old newspapers, food, blankets or dishes.
Pets that are spayed or neutered are a big incentive for any person or group that is considering your pet. Animal rescue groups and shelters spend large amounts of money to sterilize pets in their adoption programs as an effort to reduce the unwanted animal population. When the new owner or rescue group does not have to incur the expense, it makes the animal more appealing.
If listing a pet in the newspaper or on various online sources, make sure you list a fee for the pet. This is to discourage those individuals who search such listings for free animals to use in laboratory testing facilities or brutal dog-fighting organizations.
Do not dump or set an animal free. Domestic pets do not fair well on their own. They are at greater risk for illness, disease, starvation, being hunted by predators and being injured or killed. Additionally, when the pet has not been spayed or neutered, this only increases the excessive unwanted animal population.
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