Have you ever been contacted by a person whose dog might be able to stay with their owner with a little support, but you just did not know what to tell them. Sometimes the owner wants to surrender their beloved pet, but only because they just do not know what else to do.

We have all had to make hard decisions. In rescue we always have a hard time when we are contacted by a pet owner who is emotional, demanding that we get their dog out of their house. The reasons are many. Our first response is sometimes not what a pet owner is expecting. However, there are some people that drive us crazy. Unless they have been around rescue organizations, many dog owners seem to think it is our responsibility to solve their dog problem, not theirs.  We are stunned with the attitude and stunned that they would demand we do anything. Clearly they do not know what we are about...  How do you handle this situation?

The Wow! Factor

Yes, we know it is better they contact us than just dump them somewhere to starve or freeze to death. But, what the Heck? Where is their responsibility?  Yes, we might be a nonprofit 501(c)3, maybe not. Where do these people get off thinking their bad decisions are someone else's problem not theirs?

 But what should you tell them?

"Regardless the reason, you should ensure your dog is placed in a safe home. And it's a reality that if the dog does go into a shelter, there's a good chance that he/she may never come out. Consider this decision carefully."

Do you remind them that:

"We highly suggest if the dog is a rescued dog or bought from someone, that is the first place an owner should go if there is really no way for them to continue to keep their dog."

Have we informed them:

"We have found that many people forget they have signed an adoption contract, and that you may be required to return the pet to that group or person. Most rescue organizations have you sign a contract when adopting, which has a clause requiring that the dog first be surrendered back to them.

If your pet is a purebred, find a breed rescue group in your area by searching the internet or checking the local phone book."

 Do we encourage them.

"Many problems are workable, or at least manageable. Contact a trainer or behavior counselor and see if its possible to work things out so you can keep your pet. We will try to help with finding a trainer or counselor."

Do we caution them that:

"Most organizations are not able to take in aggressive dogs. This means if the dog has ever bitten a person, has ever lunged and been pulled away from a person before a bite, or is unpredictable and growls at humans, or dogs that are aggressive towards other dogs, etc. If your pet is aggressive, or has nipped or bitten someone, EVER, then please consult a professional behaviorist to try to work through this problem. There is usually a valid reason with a solution that causes aggression (see above). Also, check with state and local laws, also, about liability in re-homing a pet with prior knowledge of aggression. Do not try to find a new home for an aggressive animal without professional help."

 What do you say to owners who can not afford to provide medical treatment?

"There are organizations that are set up to help, and ideas are available to help with raising funds to provide the money. Medical issues need to be treated. Sometimes that is all that is needed to keep the pet in your home. If your dog has medical issues, discuss the issues with your Vet.  Many dogs are surrendered to shelters that are terminally ill, and they are put down.  It’s not fair that your dog spends his final hours with total strangers in a concrete building and on a cold metal table.  Be a responsible pet owner, and follow the advice of your Vet.  Re-homing a terminally ill dog without full disclosure is wrong."

Sometimes we are just not able to help them. This is one of the most heartbreaking parts of being in rescue.

How do you deal with this?