What Does It Mean to Surrender a Pit Bull?

 If you can no longer keep your pet, you might be wondering: What does it mean to surrender a pit bull? Surrendering your dog means you’re giving up all your rights as the pit bull’s owner and transferring them to a rescue or shelter. Once surrendered, you no longer have a say in what happens to your dog, whether he is put down or adopted, or who adopts him. This can be difficult for anyone who loves their pet, so surrendering your pit bull should be a last resort.

Things to Keep in Mind

While animal welfare organizations do their best to provide the best care for the pets that come their way, your pet may not receive as much attention as you would like. Before you surrender your pit bull to any shelter or rescue group, do some rehome_research and be aware of the limitations some organizations face.

Here are some things to keep in mind when looking for a place to surrender your pet:

  • Does the organization euthanize: Some shelters have very high intake rates and low resources, which can cause them to run out of kennel space quickly. When organizations run out of space, sometimes even healthy adoptable dogs are put to sleep. Euthanasia rates are often available to the rehome_legacy. Be aware of an organization’s policies before you decide to drop off your pet.
  • Your Pet’s Personality: Even if you have the friendliest dog in the world, your pit bull may not feel like himself in a shelter. The loud and crowded shelter environment can make your dog become anxious or aggressive and he may be labeled unadoptable. Consider how you pit bull might react to this type of situation before surrendering.

Other Options

If you find that your local shelter may not be a safe place to surrender your pit bull consider other solutions:

Keeping Your Dog

Are you giving up your pet because of behavior issues? In many cases, these are easy to solve with the help of a vet or trainer. Many behavioral issues stem from a medical need that can be addressed by a veterinarian. Others can be remedied with the support of a qualified animal behaviorist. Give your dog every chance to stay in your family by trying to work through his issues.

Private Rescues

Reputable, privately run rescues are a wonderful option—if you can find one with a spot for your dog. This can be difficult, but excellent rescues will usually work hard to locate a perfect home, so it’s worth the trouble.

Rehoming Your Dog Yourself

This option will probably take the most effort, but it also lets you decide what happens to your pit bull. Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com provides valuable advice and tools to make the process easier and to ensure you find the best possible home for your dog. You can even post your adoptable pet for free to be seen by millions of pet adopters on Adopt-a-Pet.com.

]Knowing what it means to surrender your dog might make you change your mind about going through with it. If so, it’s good to know there are other options and resources to help you. 

How Can I Find a Home for My Mastiff?

You can find a home for your Mastiff by talking with people you know and using adoption sites on the Internet. Of course, before you choose a home for your dog, you need to be sure it’s a suitable home and the owner can provide her with all of the attention and care that she needs.

When you’re looking for a home for your Mastiff, write down a list of the things that she needs. This could be a medication that she has to take, for example. Maybe she doesn’t do well when she’s left on her own or maybe she chases cats. Think about all of the things that your dog does or needs that a new owner will need to know so they don’t have an unwelcome surprise after bringing her home. Once you know what your dog needs, it becomes easier to know whether someone will be a good match for her or not.

Finding a Home with People You Know 

Let people in your life know that you have to give up your dog. It can be hard to bring up this conversation with people because you never imagined that one day, you’d have to give her up. However, you want to be sure that she finds a great new home, so you need to be honest. You may find a friend or a family member that would like to adopt her from you. If they already know her and have bonded with her, this can be a good and easy way to rehome your Mastiff.

Of course, you still need to be sure that the new owner, even though you know them, will be capable of providing for her properly. Mastiffs are large dogs, and they’ll need to have more space than other dogs because of their size, for example.

Rehoming Using an Online Service

The Internet has helped to make it easier to find people who are willing to adopt your dog. However, if you’re advertising online, you need to be sure that the people who want to adopt have your dog’s best interests in mind.

A good way to do this is by charging a rehoming fee. It not only ensures they’re willing to invest in your dog, but it helps to reduce risk to your dog. Some people look for free dogs online that they then use for fighting or to sell to labs. They don’t want to pay, so the rehoming fee acts as a preventative measure.

You could also use a site like Rehome, which is a service geared toward helping owners and adopters come together. The site is free for owners to use and they only charge a small rehoming fee to the adopter. You’ll set up a profile for your Mastiff on the site that can include photos, videos, and a detailed bio. The adopters can choose to apply to become her new owner. You will review the applications and then determine who will be the best fit for your dog. It’s a safe and easy way to find a home for your dog.

Photo Credit: Marcia O’Connor

What Does It Mean to Surrender a Rottweiler?

When you surrender your rottweiler, you’re giving up your legal rights to her and handing her over to a shelter or a rescue. Of course, there’s a lot more to it than just bringing the dog to the shelter. You’ll have to understand what to expect and what you’ll need to bring.

The Shelters and Rescues

Keep in mind that all shelters and rescues will have their own set of rules and policies that you’ll need to follow. You can’t simply walk up to the door with your dog and drop her off. First, it’s always a good idea to explore their website. This is true whether it’s a shelter or a rescue. These sites will typically provide you with a good idea of how the facility operates, what it looks like, etc. They will often have at least some of their policies listed on the site, too.

You’ll then want to get in touch with the facility by phone. They’ll let you know about the process of bringing in your dog, along with the surrender fees. These fees are used to care for the animals in the facility, and you’ll find that all facilities charge something. The cost can vary, though. In some cases, it might be as low as $50. Other times, it could be as high as $150 or more.

When you speak with the personnel at the organization, they’ll want to know more about your dog. What’s her personality like? How old is she? Does she have health problems?

They’ll also want to know why you have to get rid of her. They aren’t trying to pry into your life. Instead, they’re looking for potential means for you to keep your dog. For example, they might be able to put you in touch with trainers if your dog has some behavioral problems.

If you still have to give up your rottweiler, they’ll then make an appointment for you to drop her off at the facility.

Other Options to Consider for Your Dog

You might find that you don’t like the idea of bringing your dog to one of these organizations. If that’s the case, you can always opt for rehoming instead. There are multiple ways that you can do this. One of the easiest is talking with people you already know to see if they might be interested in adopting. You might have a friend that knows and loves your dog and would love to be her new owner.

You can also find pet adoption sites on the Internet, such as Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com. This platform from Adopt-a-Pet.com will provide you with an easy way to find a new home for your rottweiler. This site is free for owners like you to use, and the adopters will only have to pay a small adoption fee. This money goes right back into helping other animals get adopted.

When you fill out your dog’s profile for the potential adopters to see, be sure you’re honest about her and that you don’t only talk about her good qualities. Adopters need to know they’re getting the right dog for their family, even if she isn’t always perfectly behaved.

Why Is My Cat Attacking My Other Cat?

There are many possible reasons why your cat might be attacking your other cat including lack of space, social maturity, a medical issue, or environmental changes. Fortunately, solutions can usually be found that allow the cats to continue to live together and to overcome their aggression.

Since you can’t just ask your cats what’s wrong, pinpointing the reason for aggression will usually be a process of elimination that involves simply trying various solutions. Note that if the behavior started after the cats had been together some time, a medical issue may be to blame. When a cat is in pain or uncomfortable, he/she may show signs of aggression, even if he is typically docile.

Once medical issues have been ruled out, there are other things to try to reduce cat to cat aggression.

Give Cats Their Own Space 

Cats like to have their own space and can be quite territorial. Having to share a small space, food bowls, and litter boxes is a common reason for aggression. While you probably can’t expand your home, you can add space for the cats by providing additional perches, kitty condos, or even investing in an outdoor cat enclosure that allows cats to safely spend time outdoors.

Also, place food and water bowls and litter boxes (one litter box per cat plus one additional litter box works best!) for each pet, so the cats won’t have to share. 

Provide an Escape 

If one cat tends to be passive, install a collar-controlled cat door that leads to a quiet room. Only place the collar on the cat that gets bullied. This will allow him a way to get away from the aggressor and give the bully cat a cooling off period. 

Pheromones 

Many cat owners have had great success by using pheromones to stop one cat from attacking the other cat. These products, which come in spray and diffuser form, calm cats and are, in some cases, a very effective way to eliminate fighting.

Time Apart 

Absence makes the heart grow fonder? Maybe not, but it will give you a chance to properly and slowly reintroduce the cats. Check out our blog article Introducing a New Cat or Kitten to Your Cats for more guidance. 

If the methods above are unsuccessful, enlist the help of an animal behaviorist. The good news is that in the majority of cases, with time and patience, the issue can be resolved to the point that the cats will be able to live together peacefully—even if they aren’t the best of friends. 

How Do I Find a Good Home for My Mastiff?

You can find a good home for your Mastiff by spending the time needed to locate a responsible owner who can provide him with proper care. It takes some time and work to find a great new place for your dog to live, but you’ll find that it’s well worth the effort that you put into it. Knowing that he has a wonderful new owner and home will let you rest easier.

What Needs Does Your Mastiff Have? 

You know your dog better than anyone else, so you understand what he needs to live a healthy and happy life. Perhaps he had bad experiences with children when he was younger and doesn’t like to be around them now. This is an important piece of information that any new owner will need to know. Maybe he has a dietary restriction that the owner will need to know about. Think about all of the elements that make your Mastiff unique and use that information when you’re making your choice about who gets to become his new owner

Rehoming Online with Rehome

The Internet has helped to make it easier for owners to find people who want to adopt their dogs. However, this doesn’t mean that all of these online services are created equal. You don’t want to use a site like Facebook Marketplace that’s not dedicated to pets. There’s a chance that someone who wasn’t even thinking about adopting could see a picture of your dog and decide to adopt. They haven’t put in the time to think about what bringing home a new pet really means.

Instead, you should choose a site like Rehome that’s specifically used for pet adoption. People who’re on the site are there to find a new dog and have more than likely done their rehome_research. The site is also free for owners to use. Those who adopt will only have to pay a small rehoming fee. This fee is about the same as what they’d pay to a shelter or a rescue.

Rehome lets owners build a profile for their dog. You can add photos, videos, and a bio. The bio should have all of the most important information regarding your dog, so the potential adopters can see it. This lets them have a better idea of whether he’s the right dog for their family or not.

You can then review the applications that come to you from these adopters. Rehome can help you better understand what you should be looking for in the applications, as well. Once you have made your selection, you can then allow the adopter to take your dog home. Having this amount of control over who adopts helps to ensure that you find a good home for your Mastiff.

There’s also the option of rehoming your Mastiff with someone you know personally. This might be a relative or a friend that wants to adopt a dog. If you already know the person and feel that they’ll be a good fit, it can be a fast way to find a new home for your dog.

Photo Credit: Marcia O’Connor

Where Can I Put a Shih Tzu Up for Adoption?

You can put your Shih Tzu up for adoption in many locations online and offline. The important thing to keep in mind is that you’ll always want to ensure that your dog goes to the best home possible, and this can take some work on your part. However, you’ll feel much better about the situation when you do.

No one imagines a scenario where they might have to give up their dog, but it happens. Perhaps you have to move to a location that won’t allow dogs– even a small, sweet dog like your Shih Tzu. Maybe you feel that you can’t take care of him properly any longer because of your health reasons or other issues. Regardless of the reason, you have no choice but to give up your dog for adoption. What’s the best way to go?

What Are Your Options?

The first option you’ll want to consider is family and friends. You may know someone in your family who has been talking about adopting a dog. Maybe they would like to adopt your Shih Tzu. This would be a great scenario since you already know whether they would be a good fit for your dog. It helps to provide you with some additional peace of mind.

You may not have anyone in your family or group of friends that can adopt your dog, of course, so you’ll want to find other options. The Internet can help to make this easier thanks to pet adoption sites. Be sure you’re using reputable sites and not classified ad sites like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.

Instead, choose Rehome. This is a platform from the largest pet adoption site in North America, Adopt-a-Pet.com. It’s a peer-to-peer pet adoption services that’s easy to use and that provides some features to ensure your dog gets the right new owner. On the site, you’ll fill out a detailed profile of your dog, which is then seen by potential adopters along with any photos or videos you add.

You must take the time to create a detailed profile that highlights all of the wonderful things about your Shih Tzu, as well as some of his “not so great” quirks and behaviors. For example, if he doesn’t get along with other small pets, this is something you’ll want to note. After all, you won’t want him in a home where he won’t feel comfortable and where the family might have to turn around and give him up.

Can Dogs Be Adopted from Shelters and Rescues?

Dogs are often adopted from shelters and rescues, but it’s never a guarantee. When you take your dog to a rescue, as long as they have available space for your dog, they’ll house him until he’s been adopted. However, there are not always enough people looking to adopt. With shelters, they’ll hold your dog for a certain period. After the period has passed, they may need to euthanize. Shelters try their best to find people to adopt, but it doesn’t always happen.
Always take the time to consider what’s best for your dog and help find him the perfect new home. 

What does it mean to rehome a Yorkie?

When you rehome a Yorkie, you find them a new, loving home where they’ll be safe and cared for by someone who loves them. Plenty of options exist when rehoming your dog. Rehoming is different from surrendering your dog to a rescue or shelter since you’ll have a direct hand in ensuring your Yorkie goes to a good new home.

The process of rehoming will take more time and effort on your part, but most owners still feel that it’s a better option than surrendering their dog. There are a few ways to rehome.

Rehoming with Someone You Know

If you have to give up your dog, who better to become her new owner than someone that you already know and trust? Talk with your family and friends to see if anyone might be interested in adopting. You might find someone who would love to become her new owner. This is one of the best possible scenarios. Of course, we realize that not everyone will know someone who can adopt.

Additionally, if you would still like to keep your dog, but you’re going through some problems currently, you might want to temporarily rehome your dog with family. For example, If you come home from surgery or are ill and need to recover, you may want to have family and friends keep the dog for a few weeks. This will give you time to heal, and then you can take your dog back. The same might be true if you have to travel for a month or so for work. Rather than rehoming the dog, simply hire family or friends to watch your dog while you’re away.

Rehoming to a Stranger

It’s also possible to rehome your Yorkie with a stranger, and this is the route that many people have to take. Online sites specifically for pet adoption are available to connect owners with people who are looking to adopt.

You must choose a quality, reputable site when you’re rehoming. Stay away from the “want ad” sites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. When you post on these types of sites, you might find some people who decide on a whim that they want your Yorkie. This often means they haven’t thought through what it means to care for a dog.

Also, when using these sites, be sure that you’re charging a rehoming fee. This helps to ensure the people who contact you’re serious about your dog and they’re more likely to take good care of her. Giving away a dog often brings out people who have bad intentions, but charging a fee helps to keep them at bay.

A quality site that’s simple to use and free for owners is called Rehome. It’s from Adopt-a-Pet.com, and it allows you to create a profile for your Yorkie to let potential adopters know all about her quirks and personality traits. Providing detailed information guarantees potential adopters are certain that she’s the right dog for them. You can then check the applications from adopters and determine who should get your dog. It’s a safe and easy to use option for rehoming.

How Can I Stop My Dogs From Fighting?

You can stop your dogs from fighting by eliminating the stressors that lead to the aggressions, by better managing the dogs’ environment, or by getting professional help from a qualified animal behaviorist. Whether or not you know what starts squabbles between your dogs, it’s important to find a way to stop them. Even if no serious injuries have occurred (yet), fighting between dogs can leave one or both dogs feeling stressed and afraid. The good news is the behavior can usually be brought under control—but in the meantime, avoid injury to your pets by closely monitoring them and keeping them physically separated while you work on a safe re-introduction protocol with the help of a professional dog trainer.

Steps to Preventing Fights Between Your Dogs 

Sometimes, two dogs just don’t like each other, but sometimes there is a more concrete reason for dogs fighting such as:

  • Maintaining a hierarchy
  • Redirected aggression
  • Friendly play escalates
  • Protecting food or other possessions 

If you can pinpoint the cause, you can remove the stimulus. For example, some dogs are food aggressive. In this case, you can simply feed the dogs in separate rooms.

While you’ll find all kinds of advice about how to stop fighting, the best course of action is to involve a professional right from the start. This will give you the best chance of success, and you won’t have to wade through the information online to separate the good from the bad.

An animal trainer or behaviorist with a proven track record of success in fixing dog aggression will give you solid advice and work with you to develop a plan that will help you protect your dogs and enjoy peace of mind. 

How Do I Stop My Dog From Eating Poop?

You can stop a dog from eating poop by finding the reason your pup is doing this – it could be a medical or environmental issue. The good news is that this behavior can be curbed in most dogs. Whether through treating the feces in a way that makes it unappealing or identifying and correcting the medical problem or environmental trigger, it is possible to find a solution to this disgusting habit.

Why Dogs Eat Poop 

To humans, the idea of eating feces is disgusting, but dogs are much less picky about what goes in their mouths. Your purebred pooch or adorable mutt’s ancestors were scavengers that were willing to eat just about anything to survive—including feces. Some dogs eat only their own poop while others eat the poop of others dogs. The former, while gross, isn’t dangerous. The latter, however, can pose a health risk to your dog if parasites or bacteria are present in the feces.

Reasons dogs eat feces include: 

Medical Issues

  • Parasites
  • Insufficient Diets
  • Diabetes
  • Cushing’s
  • Certain Drugs 

Environmental Issues

  • Isolation
  • Anxiety
  • Confinement 

Whatever the cause, you just want to the behavior to stop. Some of things you can try include:

  • Visit a vet to rule out medical issues.
  • Supplement your dog’s diet with appropriate vitamins.
  • Work on training, especially commands like “leave it!”
  • Clean up after your dog immediately.
  • Apply products that make the feces taste bad to dogs. (Options are available that can be added to the food or directly to the feces.) 

Note that in puppies this behavior is quite common and will usually correct itself as the dog grows. If it continues into adulthood, you’ll need to intervene.

If your dog eats poop, don’t panic and think it’s time to rehome your pet. This is an issue that, when properly addressed, can be corrected. 

How Do I Surrender My Labrador Retriever?

 A common question from pet owners who have decided they cannot keep their pet is, “how do I surrender my Labrador Retriever?” The exact process of surrendering your dog to a local shelter will vary by location, but generally it will involve meeting with an intake officer, paying a fee, and giving up all rights to your pet. From there, shelters will try to find homes for the dogs in their care, but this isn’t always possible.

What Happens to my Labrador Retriever if I Surrender Him to a Shelter?

When you find a shelter that will accept your Labrador retriever, they may ask you to pay a surrender fee. The fee is typically between $50 to $150. An intake coordinator will ask about your dog’s history and your reasons for surrendering him. In some cases, they will offer assistance to help you work through the issues that led to your decision to give up your dog. If you decide to move forward, they’ll take custody of your dog and have you sign him over to the organization.

Unfortunately, once you surrender your dog, you no longer have a say in his fate. Your Labrador retriever’s outcome depends on several factors such as age, health, temperament, space in the shelter, and the shelter policies. Most shelters want to find homes for all their dogs—and they work hard towards that end—but the sad reality is that it’s just not always possible.

The more people who surrender their pets to the shelters, the more overtaxed they become, and even the very best shelters can only do so much with the space and resources they have.

Is There Another Option?

If the idea of surrendering your pet to a shelter doesn’t sit well with you, there is another way: rehoming your dog yourself. This gives you control over where your dog ends up rather than surrendering that ability to a shelter. It also means you’ll be able handpick the adopters and find the very best fit for your pet.

If you love this idea but aren’t sure where to start, take a look at Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com. You’ll get advice that walks you through the process of rehoming your pet, find tools to help you find the perfect adopters, and more.

You’ll even find tips on overcoming the most common issues that cause people to give up their pets. If you find you still have to give him up, surrender your pet into the arms of a loving new family instead of an uncertain future. You’ll feel better knowing you did the very best for your dog.