The cost to save your dog…
We usually spend anywhere from $200 to $1000 on every dog we take into rescue, depending on how healthy (or unhealthy) they are at the time, and that does not include the food provided by our foster homes. Our adoption fees do not begin to cover our medical expenses, so we rely on donations to keep saving dogs. If you wish to relinquish your dog to us, and we are able to take him or her, we will require a donation to cover vetting and transport.

Before you give up your pet…can we ask why?
When there are so many animals without homes (we find homes for hundreds of dogs each year), giving up a companion animal is not a decision to be taken lightly.
If you are trying to rehome your pet due to a behavior problem, please speak with your veterinarian first. Perhaps the issue is related to a medical problem. For example, if your housetrained dog suddenly begins urinating inside, he or she may have a urinary tract infection, easily cured with antibiotics. Illness in dogs can cause sudden and unexpected behaviors. Dogs are like people and aren’t always nice when they’re sick.

We can also recommend animal trainers and behaviorists that you can speak with. Many of them are happy to talk with you on the phone and suggest ways that you can work with your dog on behavior issues that disrupt your household (e.g. chewing, barking).

Does someone in your home have pet allergies? Before you make this assumption, confirm with your doctor. There are many allergens in most homes that can be irritants. Pet dander is not always the culprit. Read this information from the Humane Society of the United States on how to alleviate allergy problems when living with pets.

Are you moving to a place that won’t allow pets? First of all, why? Do you have to move? If you do have to relocate, please think of your pet as a family member. If you absolutely cannot take your pet, look very closely at the resources in your community for homeless animals. If you are reading this, you are on the right track by contacting a rescue organization. Usually your local shelter will do everything they can to see your pet adopted, but they are often overwhelmed with homeless animals, and it is very possible that your pet may not make it out of the shelter.

Are you losing your home? We know that families who are moving for financial reasons are not always able to take their dogs with them. We will help those dogs when we can, but our first commitment is to dogs in shelters.

Still want to find a new home for your dog?
Maybe you are able to keep your dog temporarily and we can do a courtesy listing for you on our website. That means your dog will be viewable on www.petfinder.org, and maybe he or she can find a home through that network. We highly discourage posting your pet “free to a good home” online via craigslist or other ad services. To guarantee that your pet goes to a good home, we recommend that you ask for personal references, a reference from a veterinarian, and even visit the home of the person who wants to take your dog. That’s what we do.

If anyone refuses to allow you to visit their home, do not place your pet with them. There are people who look for free dogs online to sell to animal dealers. Dogfighters have also been known to obtain animals for baiting through “free to good home” ads.

Another good place to start is at the office of your veterinarian. Ask if they you put a post on their bulletin board. Also talk to your neighbors, or other people you trust. If you know someone personally who can give your dog a home, that is the best solution.

If you are convinced that your dog must find a new home, and you have exhausted other options, please contact us via email.
We will need the following information before we can consider taking your dog into rescue:

Age or approximate age
Temperament (behavior related to children, cats, other dogs)
Sex
Spay/neuter status
Vaccination status
Health issues or other special needs
We also need to see a recent picture to confirm that your dog is a basset hound. And, you will be required to sign a relinquishment form, giving us ownership of the dog.