Here are some things to try first
It's no secret that animal shelters are often overflowing with dogs and that shelters and animal control
agencies euthanize dogs that no one wants. Although the number of dogs dying for lack of a new
home has decreased dramatically in most areas of the country, there are still far too many dogs
entering shelters and pounds and not coming out alive.
Many dogs in shelters are strays picked up by dog wardens or turned in by citizens who find them
wandering through neighborhoods, but a large number of shelter residents are turned in by owners
who no longer want them or can no longer provide for them. The reasons range from family divorce,
allergies, illness, or relocation to “the kids are gone so we don't want Lady any more.” One recent
study shows that many dogs are abandoned by young families who have failed to build a bond with
the animal.
Many purebreds turned into shelters find their way to rescue groups, where they are kept until a new
home is found, but most dogs entering shelters die there. There's no doubt that the shelter offers a
convenient solution when owners no longer want a dog, but the number of dogs turned in by owners
increases shelter deaths and impacts shelter budgets. Here are a few tips to try before making that
fateful trip.
1. If "Fido" just doesn't fit your family or lifestyle, try to cope. Find a training club or
school, read a training book, change your expectations, and try to build a bond with the
animal that will keep it in your home.
2. If you bought "Fido" from a breeder, call him and tell him your plight. Many breeders
will take back a dog they produced or will have a list of people looking for an adult dog from
their breeding program.
3. If your dog is purebred, contact the breed rescue. Contact the Canadian
Kennel Club or the American Kennel Club for the list
of rescue contacts it publishes each year. Rescues
don't always
have room for another dog, but they may have suggestions for solving problems or may know
about someone who is looking for a dog like yours.
4. If life circumstances change and force you to find a new home for "Fido", use the
local pet network to help. Put posters at the veterinarian's office and the pet supply store;
ask the groomer and boarding kennel staffs to keep their ears open for a potential new home;
and advertise in the newspaper. Call the shelter and ask if they have a referral list for potential
adopters who are looking for particular pets.
5. Do not advertise “Free to a good home” even if you don't intend to charge an
adoption fee. Some people will take a free dog but may not take good care of it. Instead,
advertise a cost that will meet veterinary expenses incurred while getting Fido ready for a new
home. If you find a potential adopter who just can't afford the price, you can always decrease
it, but you can't charge someone if you advertise the dog as free.
6. Make sure "Fido" is up-to-date on vaccinations, is spayed or neutered, and is free
of parasites before placement in a new home. If the new owner will use a different
veterinarian, make sure to include a copy of his health records in an adoption packet.
