Thinking Outside The Shelter

Each year, countless dogs find themselves abandoned or surrendered to shelters for various reasons. While shelters strive to provide care and find loving homes for these animals, there is an imbalance of dogs coming in at quicker rates than they are leaving. This leads to overcrowded shelters, limited resources, and heartbreaking decisions about which dogs can be saved.

At Big Dog Ranch Rescue, our mission is to prevent as many dogs as possible from entering shelters and ensure they remain with their loving families.

We understand that life can sometimes bring unexpected changes, which might make it difficult to take care of your furry friend.

But before making the heartbreaking decision to surrender them to a shelter, let’s identify the top reasons that people give away their pets, and explore some alternative options that could be beneficial for your beloved dog and avoid contributing to the overpopulation issue in U.S. shelters.

There are many reasons why people might consider giving away their companion. The most common reasons for surrendering a pet include: 

• Time 

  • Taking care of a pet takes time. But did you know a dog requires only 15 minutes of one-on-one time with their owner to be happy? This can be spent laying in bed together, playing outside, or going for a walk! Most dogs thrive best in the comfort of their familiar home environment, so make time for your furry friend instead of finding them a new home.

• Lack of Experience 

  • Numerous pet owners rush into getting a pet without fully understanding the responsibilities that follow. It may be overwhelming at first, which can lead to a decision to surrender. However, it’s important to remember that there are many online resources and tools to help you learn and understand the needs of your pet.

• Life Changes 

  • Whether you are facing financial challenges, adjusting to life with a new baby, or moving somewhere with housing restrictions, there are solutions to consider before giving away your dog:

    • If you’re struggling to afford veterinary bills and pet supplies but are committed to keeping your pet, consider reaching out to organizations like Red Rover Relief Grants, Humane Society, Angels 4 Animals, IMOM, and The Pet Fund for assistance.

    • If you can take care of a baby, you should have no issues taking care of a dog! Luckily, most dogs make fantastic family pets.

    • If you are moving and the HOA/landlord or property owner doesn’t allow dogs, register your dog as an ESA (emotional support animal). There are also plenty of apartments, townhouses, condos, and hotels that accept medium and large breeds of dog. Visit www.emotionaltherapypet.com to learn more!

• Pet Behavioral Issues 

  • If your dog is not getting along with other animals in the household or there are other behavioral issues going on, please consider training for your pet. Send an email to our trainers at training@bdrr.org and we can recommend a trainer in your area.
    
    

Remember, surrendering a pet should never be a hasty or impulsive decision. Do your research and consider alternative solutions before giving away your furry companion to a shelter.