Heartbreak as Majestic Dog Waits Day After Day at the Shelter Door Hoping His Family Will Come Back
When a dog is surrendered to a shelter, it’s like their whole world collapses. Take this gentle livestock guardian dog—she had no idea why her people vanished, leaving her behind in a noisy, unfamiliar place full of strange smells and stress. There’s no way to explain abandonment to a dog. So she waited. She planted herself by the door, day after day, clinging to the hope that the ones she loved might walk back through it.
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6.3 million pets enter the US shelter system annually, but only around 4.1 million find homes. Nearly 1 million dogs and cats are euthanized due to shelter overpopulation, so any opportunity to prevent an animal from entering the shelter system is one worth taking.
Sometimes, surrendering a pet is the right thing to do, but it’s not your only option. Let’s talk about what your options are, where to bring a dog you cannot keep, and how you can find resources to help you keep your dog rather than rehoming.
How To Surrender a Dog To An Animal Shelter or Rescue
“I can’t keep my dog anymore, what should I do?” That’s a sentence most pet owners hope to never say or even contemplate. Unfortunately, even the best-laid plans can go awry, and we are sometimes forced to give up dogs and cats when we can no longer care for them. Whether you need to surrender a pet because of financial struggles, behavioral issues, housing insecurity, or sudden life changes, you are not alone.
First and foremost, do not be embarrassed to surrender a pet to the shelter. Shelter intake staff are compassionate, trained to listen to your concerns and experience, and dedicated to making the experience as stress-free as possible for you and your pet. You will not be shamed or scolded because you need to surrender a pet, and if this is your only option, you are doing the right thing.
Even if you’re not concerned about embarrassment or shame, you might be wondering how much does it cost to surrender a dog? If you’re in a financial bind, the idea of paying a shelter to take your dog can be daunting. The good news is that many shelters, animal rescues, and humane societies do not have an intake or surrender fee. Some shelters may ask for a fee, but if you cannot afford to pay, there are always other options.
How To Surrender Your Pet To Local Animal Shelters
It is always preferable to surrender to an animal shelter or private rescue rather than animal control. If possible, choose a no-kill shelter or rescue that emphasizes welfare for the animals in their care.
Here’s a quick summary of how to surrender a dog to the humane society or an animal rescue:
- Appointment or walk-in? Take a moment to look up your local shelters online and explore their surrender process. Some shelters accept walk-in surrenders while others require you to make an appointment.
- Gather paperwork. Before you surrender your dog, it’s a good idea to assemble their vet records and any other paperwork—like breeder information.
- Bring a comfort item. Not all shelters will allow you to leave a blanket, bed, or toy with your dog, but some will. Even if your dog can’t keep the item, it’s a good idea to bring along something comforting to keep them calm during the surrender process.
- Expect a discussion. Be prepared to speak with shelter staff about your dog, their personality and needs, their behavior history, medical history, etc. You may also be asked to explain the circumstances around your choice to surrender your dog. You do not need to get into personal details, but a brief summary can help shelter staff understand your dog’s needs better.
How To Surrender a Dog To a Breed-Specific Rescue
If you have a purebred dog or a mix of a specific breed, you may be able to surrender them to the care of a breed-specific rescue. Breed-specific rescues are a wonderful option, particularly for dogs who might be adopted for the wrong reasons—for example, breed desirability, aesthetics, or social clout.
The process of surrendering a dog to a breed-specific rescue is lengthier and often more in-depth than surrendering to a shelter. However, you do get the peace of mind of knowing your former dog is in the care of people who understand its needs.
To find reputable breed-specific rescues, I recommend looking through the American Kennel Club Rescue Network.
Ethical Methods of Rehoming Your Pet
If you don’t want to surrender your dog to a shelter, humane society, or rescue, there are a few ethical ways to find a new home for your pet. You should never give your pet away to someone you don’t know simply because they are interested in your dog. You are responsible for finding a good home if you do not feel comfortable surrendering a pet to experienced rescuers, and part of that means taking precautions to choose the right placement for your pet.
Animal rescue and shelter staff are trained to identify behavior issues in dogs you might never have considered and describe the full spectrum of a dog’s needs to potential adopters. They are also adept at choosing the right homes for a dog’s individual needs, and assessing whether someone is actually the right fit to care for your pet. You can find a good home independent of a rescue organization, but you must take the responsibility of finding your dog’s new forever home seriously.
If you are pressed for time to rehome your dog, I recommend surrendering them to a trusted rescue.
Speak With a Veterinarian
Veterinarians typically have connections with local rescue and foster groups or may know trustworthy clients searching for a new dog. Veterinarians can also help point you to helpful resources if you want to keep the dog but are struggling financially.
Consider a Home For Your Pet With Family Members Or Friends
While you should not rehome a dog to a stranger or someone you don’t know well, friends and family can be a good resource for rehoming. Friends or family members who have spent time with your dog will already know its personality and have a clearer idea of whether they can handle the dog’s needs.
What NOT To Do When Surrendering a Pet
“Where can I take my dog that I can’t keep?” The shelter! The answer is always, the shelter. If you’re finding yourself thinking “I can’t keep my dog, what do I do?” there are plenty of options available to you.
There is no shame in safely surrendering or ethically rehoming a pet you can no longer care for. Sadly, some people let their fear of judgment or stigma stop them from surrendering their pets to experienced rescuers and choose to dump or abandon their dogs instead. You always have a better option than to abandon a pet, and there are plenty of resources available to help you and your pet.
However, there are also a few things you should not do if you can’t keep a dog.
DON’T Post Your Pet On Social Media
It is unethical to rehome your pet via social media or to a stranger. See above for ethical options to rehome your pet that doesn’t involve surrendering them to a shelter.
DON’T Sell Your Pet Online
Selling a dog on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or any other online selling forum is unethical. Like trying to rehome your dog through social media, selling your pet for a profit to a stranger online is wrong and unsafe.
DON’T Dump Or Abandon Your Pet Outside
Do not leave your dog in a remote location or outside a shelter/rescue. Shelter staff are compassionate and welcoming, and it takes just a few more moments of effort to do the right thing and surrender your dog to responsible rescuers.
I Can’t Afford To Keep My Dog—What Should I Do? Options Before Surrender
If you are considering surrendering a dog because of financial hardship, there may be resources in your area to temporarily alleviate the financial responsibility of pet ownership. Free or reduced-cost veterinary care is often available through local shelters and welfare programs, and many vet clinics operate mobile clinics to offer free and affordable vet care to their communities.
If you’ve been told by a veterinarian that your financial instability makes you incapable of being a dog owner, look for a new vet. But, can the vet keep my dog if I can’t pay? What happens if I don’t settle my invoice? Don’t worry—vets cannot keep or withhold possession of an animal simply because you owe them money.
Pet food pantries and some homeless shelters supply their communities with free and heavily-discounted food and other supplies like kitty litter, poop bags, toys, beds, etc.
To find low-cost and free veterinary care, pet food pantries, and other affordable pet resources near you, try using Pet Help Finder. You can also speak with your veterinarian and ask about local resources or affiliated programs that offer financial relief and supplies to pet owners in crisis.
