SURRENDERING YOUR DOG TO KAAAWA K9 RESCUE
We believe that owning a dog is a lifelong commitment. However, we understand that sometimes re-homing your dog is the only option. The process can be heartbreaking and it's very stressful for the animal. Many dogs that are surrender suffer from depression and have a hard time adjusting to life in the shelter.
If circumstances require you to give up your pet, please first consider finding a new home for your pet on your own.
Re-homing your pet will take time, patience and effort. However, your pet will be happier during the transition, and you have the added benefit of choosing his new home. Kaaawa K9 Rescue suggests these steps to make the process easier:
Talk to your family and close friends
The best possible option is to keep the dog within the family. If you have family members or friends that can take care of your dog that will always be at least stressful and the best option.
Make a list of your pet’s traits
Brainstorm your pet’s appearance, personality, and behavior. Do include the good and the bad. This will help you develop a short biography for your pet to give to potential adopters. Be honest so the person giving a home to your animal will know what to expect.
Take photos of your dog
Use the photos to make fliers to post at pet supply stores, veterinary clinics, places of worship, work bulletin boards, online bulletin boards, e-mails, and newsletters. Be sure to alert family and friends so they can tell the people in their community about your pet needing a new home.
Use social media in finding a good home to your dog
There are a couple of Facebook pages like Oahu Rehoming Page, Oahu Pet Home Finder Group etc. that are dedicated to re-homing animals. We suggest that you join them and post the profile and photos of your dog.
When using social media or the internet, do not list the animal for free. Unfortunately, there are people who acquire animals to resell them to research laboratories or place them in illegal dog fighting rings or other abusive situations. By asking the adopter for an adoption fee (even if it is a small donation to your local shelter), you help to ensure that the person who is adopting your pet has his best interest at heart and can financially provide for your pet.
Interview potential adopters
You want to make sure that the people adopting your pet are a good fit. Ask them important questions like: Do they have a house or an apartment, How long your pet will be left alone, What is their philosophy on training, Do they have a Vet and how will they continue medical care for the dog.
Talk to your veterinarian
Some veterinary hospitals can help place owned animals or may have alternate solutions to medical or behavior issues.
Be patient and stay realistic
Older animals, sick animals, and those who have medical conditions or behavioral problems can be hard to place. Keep in mind that the very problem that is causing you to give up your pet may be the same reason someone else is reluctant to adopt her.
Military?
If you are in the military and going on deployment, consider contacting Dogs on Deployment. This non-profit provides an online network for service members to search for volunteers who are willing to board their pets during their owner’s service commitments.
Online posting service
Some guardians find it helpful to use an online posting service like Get Your Pet or Rehome, which includes helpful forms to transfer legal ownership of your pet to a new home.
Surrender to Kaaawa K9 Rescue
If it is absolutely necessary to re-home your dog, please contact Kaaawa K9 Rescue at info@kk9r.org or 808-2395-597 Kaaawa K9 Rescue accepts owned animals, including those adopted from us, by appointment only.
Animals with scheduled appointments should have a completed Dog Surrender form and available medical records with them at the time of their surrender.
All dogs surrendered to Kaaawa K9 Rescue will receive medical care. We are a (501)c Nonprofit organization and relies solely on donations to cover the cost of medical care for surrendered dogs. Donation of $50 will help vaccinate 5 dogs, a $100 donation will cover one spay/neuter appointment. Please consider donating for medical care of a surrendered dog: Paypal.me/KKRescueDogFund