OWNER SURRENDER REQUEST
PLEASE NOTE:
*This is a request only and not all requests are guaranteed. Your request will not be processed until all required documentation has been submitted.
While TLC will take in Owner Surrenders, we do not promote them and will do everything in our power to make you reconsider. Surrendering a pet is not like exchanging an article of clothing to a store. We do not easily accept surrenders and may require additional information throughout the process. This may include a meeting with you and the dog, more specific information from your vet or vet records and/or letters from trainers explaining the behaviors exhibited. Surrendering a pet is not an easy way out, and you must meet certain qualifications in order to surrender your pet to TLC.
Our Owner Surrender process is not an overnight decision. It may take weeks for a decision to be made and a foster home to be secured. We do not and cannot take in any dogs with aggressive behaviors. We are completely foster based and have families to think about.
TLC has professional dog trainers who are willing to help point you in the right direction, aide with behaviors, and offer training services. All of this will require time and energy from you as the owner of the dog.
YOU MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA IN ORDER TO SURRENDER YOUR DOG TO TLC:
1. COMPLETE THE OWNER SURRENDER REQUEST FORM BELOW
2. UP TO DATE AND COMPLETE VET RECORDS:
- We will require complete medical history from a veterinarian for the dog. All records can be emailed to Intake@TLCrescuePA.com.
- Your dog must be current on the following vaccines, with proof from a veterinarian.
Rabies
Distemper
Bordetella
- Your dog must have had a Heartworm or 4DX Test within the last 6 months, with proof from a veterinarian.
- Your dog must be spayed or neutered prior to surrendering, unless under 6 months of age.
***If the dog is not current on its routine veterinary care, you will be responsible for bringing the dog up to date on its exam, vaccinations (Rabies, Distemper, Bordetella) and Heartworm/4DX testing.***
3. PROOF OF TRAINING:
*If surrendering for behavioral reasons
- We expect that you have exhausted all options to keep your dog if you’re considering surrendering. For this reason, your dog must have had a consultation with a professional dog trainer.
The trainer consult must certify in writing that the dog is not aggressive. A letter is required by the trainer so that we may properly place the dog in the proper foster home. If you have not spoken with a professional dog trainer, we will advise you to do so. We have contact information for local trainers in our area.
4. ADDITIONAL REQUIRED INFORMATION:
- A current photo or photos of your dog must be provided. Any pictures can be emailed to Intake@TLCrescuePA.com.
THE PROCESS:
Once the form below has been completed & all of the information above has been submitted, our director team will review. We may have additional questions or may require additional information at this time to better understand a behavior, situation or otherwise. Please be patient while we review your owner surrender request.
- One of our volunteers will contact you via phone or email to discuss the information submitted.
- A meeting between the dog and members of TLC will be arranged prior to any decisions being made.
- Following the meeting upon TLC agreeing to re-home your dog, our volunteers will work tirelessly to find the best foster home for your dog, most of which may already have a current foster dog.
- At the time of surrendering your dog, you will be asked to complete and sign a one page surrender form. This form will officially relieve you of ownership of the dog being surrendered. Once surrendered, you will have no claims to the dog, and it becomes property of To Love a Canine Rescue, Inc.
If you are reconsidering surrendering your dog at any point throughout this process, please contact us immediately.