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 Do I Give Up My Maltese?

You can give up your Maltese by rehoming or by taking him to a shelter or rescue. However, before you decide on just how you’ll be giving up your dog, it’s important to understand the differences between these options. Ultimately, your goal shouldn’t be just to give up your dog, but to ensure that you find him the best possible home. Below are things to keep in mind.

Consider Ways You May Keep Your Dog

Before you give up your dog, you should make sure that you’ve exhausted every other possibility. Sometimes, you might feel that you don’t have any other choice, but that may not be the case.

If you have a dog with some behavioral issues, such as barking too much or going to the bathroom in the house, training could be a solution. Consider working with a local trainer or behaviorist. If you can’t spend time with your dog during the day, consider doggy daycare. Maybe you can’t afford to have your dog spayed or neutered. Look for low-cost and free options in your area.

Of course, there are situations that won’t allow you to keep your dog no matter how much you might want to. In those cases, there are resources to help you find him a new home.

Allowing Someone You Know to Adopt

A simple and effective solution when you need to give up your Maltese might be to let someone you know adopt. Maybe you have a relative who needs a companion dog or a friend who wants a dog for the family that’s hypoallergenic. There could be plenty of people in your life right now that would love to adopt your dog. You just need to talk with them about it.

However, this doesn’t mean that you should let just anyone you know adopt your dog. You still need to be sure they’re the right fit for him, and that they’ll be capable of providing him with all the care and attention he needs.

Rescues and Shelters

There’s also the possibility of using shelters or rescues when you need to give up your Maltese. Rescues are often full, though, because they have no-kill policies. This means that you might not find a local rescue that can take your dog. Still, they are worth trying when you find yourself limited on choices.

Shelters could work, as well. These facilities only have a limited amount of space, though, and to ensure there’s room for incoming animals, they may euthanize. It’s not something they want to do, but they don’t have a choice.
Whether you choose a shelter or rescue, be aware that you’ll have to pay a surrender fee when you drop off your dog. This fee can vary, so contact the organization to check their prices and policies. 

Use Pet Adoption Sites

Pet adoption sites like Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com are another excellent solution. Rehome allows you to create a detailed profile for your dog that is then put in front of the millions of potential adopters that visit Adopt-a-Pet.com every month. They can learn more about your dog and submit applications to adopt. You’ll then review the applications to find the best new home for your Maltese. The site is also full of resources to help you pick the best new home for your dog. It’s an easy and safe option.

How Do I Rehome My Pit Bull?

 When giving up a dog, many pet owners ask, how do I rehome my pit bull? In order to do it in a way that is responsible and ensures your dog’s safety, you’ll need to screen potential adopters, charge a rehoming fee, and follow a few other guidelines to make sure your dog’s new owners are capable of properly caring for the dog. The Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com website has valuable resources to walk you through the process as well as tools to find potential adopters.

Steps You Should Take When Rehoming Your Pit Bull and Why They Are Important

What NOT To Do When Rehoming A Pet

If you’ve ever scrolled through an online classified page, you’ve seen the ads: Pit Bull Free to a Good Home. Sadly, many dogs in “free to a good home” ads end up getting picked up by predators looking for free dogs to use for dog fighting, to sell to labs, and for other illicit activities.

  • These people go to great lengths to convince the dog owner they are looking for a family pet. Some even bring along a child to make it look good. It’s horrifying to think about it, and that’s why you should avoid listing your dog in this manner.
  • Do not rush the process. Whatever the issue that makes you want to rehome the pet, you can likely find resources to help that would allow you to keep your dog. Rehoming should be a last resort after all other options are exhausted. And, if you’ve deciding rehoming is the best course, take your time evaluating potential adopters.

What You SHOULD Do When Rehoming A Pet

Now that you know what you shouldn’t do; here are some things you should do to keep your pet safe.

  • Charge a Rehoming Fee: When you charge a rehoming fee, it reduces the risk of adopting your dog to people looking for dogs for nefarious purposes. Plus, if someone is unwilling or unable to pay $50-$150 or so to adopt the dog, they may not be able or willing to care for the dog properly.
  • Screen Potential Adopters: Screening is a crucial step in making sure you dog ends up in a safe home. There are several questions you can ask to weed out people who are unable to properly care for your dog. For example, if they have had dogs in the past, ask who their vet was and then call for a reference. With Rehome, you’ll find advice on a wide range of screening tools. People will say anything they think you want to hear. That’s why screening them is so important.
  • Sign a Contract: Once you find your pit bull the perfect new home, Rehome will help you finalize a contract with the new adopter. The contract will outline exactly how ownership will be transferred and the experts at Rehome can guide you through the entire contract and rehoming process.

It might seem like a lot, but taking the appropriate steps gives your pit bull the best chance of ending up in a happy home!  

How Do I Surrender My Catahoula Leopard Dog?

If you surrender your Catahoula Leopard Dog, it means that you’re giving him up to a shelter or a rescue. The process for surrendering your dog to one of these facilities can vary from one place to the next. You need to understand the policies of the organization you’re considering before you give up your dog.

Check the Site

The first thing you should do is to check the shelter or rescue’s website to learn more about them. Does the shelter have a specific policy on how long they hold dogs before euthanizing them? Does the rescue specialize in certain breeds? Does the shelter offer sales and adoptions? Check out the site to learn as much as you can about the organization and to get their contact information.

Get in Touch

Once you have learned about the facility, it’s time to call them. During the phone call, they’ll want to know about your dog. They’ll need to know things like his health condition, age, temperament, and the like. This will give them a better idea of what to expect with your dog, and they may get a sense of how easy or difficult it will be for someone to adopt him.

Additionally, they may ask you why you need to give up your dog. They want the best for the animal, and sometimes that means keeping your dog with you. For example, if your dog has behavior issues, they may know some trainers in the area that could help. Often, shelters and rescues will have a list of resources that they can provide.

Of course, we know that it’s not always possible to keep your dog no matter how much you love him. Maybe you have to move and the new place won’t allow dogs of his size. There are countless reasons that you might need to give up your dog. In those cases, the shelter can make an appointment for you to drop him off. They’ll also let you know the cost of the surrender fee.

These fees are generally $50 and up. However, just like the policies, they can vary from one organization and location to the next.

Consider Other Options

While surrendering your dog to a shelter or a rescue is a possibility if you don’t have another choice, take some time to think about your other options. For example, you might have people in your inner circle, such as a friend from work or a cousin across town that’s been thinking about adopting a dog. See if they might be interested in your Catahoula Leopard Dog.

Also, you can find online pet adoption sites that help to make finding a great new owner easier. Rehome is part of Adopt-a-Pet.com and could be a great choice. You can create a profile with images, videos, and a bio of your dog. Interested people can then submit adoption applications that you can review. This gives you the ability to choose a great new owner for your dog that will match his needs.

Photo credit: Krystal Hamlin