Surrendering Your Dog
Attention: LSBR is on Intake Hold
Please note - previous LSBR dogs whose families need to
surrender back to rescue are NOT part of this hold. PLEASE contact us
if this situation pertains to you.
LSBR has recently been inundated with calls regarding owner surrenders, strays, and those who have been abandoned. Additionally, many boxers are in high risk shelters that need our help as they only have days to live. Add to this a decline in adoptions, foster homes, and funding, and LSBR is on crisis mode.
Because of this, we can only accept animals into our program that meet any of the following conditions:
- Previous LSBR dogs whose families need to surrender back to rescue
- Animals who are suffering or are in critical situations
- The owner surrender/founder of a stray can foster and sponsor all vet expenses
As always, LSBR strives to help as many boxers as possible. A rescuers work is never done, but we hope that as the economy gains strength we will see improvements in the number of boxers that need to come into the program, as well as adoptions and volunteers on the rise.
In the meantime - how can you help?
- If you are surrendering a boxer, please give the dog a chance by fostering him and maintaining/treating his medical needs through adoption
- Become a foster parent
- Make a donation which enable us to help save more boxers
It is extremely traumatic for a dog to lose his/her family. Regardless of the reason, you should follow a few guidelines to ensure your dog is placed in a safe home. Please understand that if the dog goes into a shelter there's a good chance that he/she may never come out. Consider this decision carefully.
If you are considering surrendering your dog because of problem behavior:
Is the dog spayed or neutered? This simple procedure can have a dramatic impact on some behaviors. Please read this article for more information.
Consult with an animal behaviorist. LSBR can refer you to a reputable behaviorist:
- Dean Miller - (281) 380-8175 - www.thethinkingdog.com
- Chad Mackin - (281) 486-8435 - www.aplusdog.com
- Jack Richards - (281) 391-4343 - www.privilegedpets.com/dogtraining.htm
- Scott Holloway - (936) 441-DOGS - www.texasdogpro.com
Please keep in mind that if you don't want to deal with the problem, a stranger won't want to deal with it either -- and might even become abusive to the dog. You might also be liable for undesirable and/or undisclosed behavior. In the end, if you don't solve the problem, the dog might be considered unacceptable and euthanized.
If you are considering surrendering your dog for any other reason, or are considering placing your dog on your own:
- Be responsible enough to have your dog spayed/neutered before he/she leaves your care.
- Don't give a dog away for free. People collect free dogs and sell to research, dog fighting groups etc. Charging an adoption fee is like giving your dog an insurance policy. This article will give you more information.
- Do a home visit and check the vet reference of anyone who is considering adopting your dog. We do!
If you would like for LSBR to help you place your dog:
You must first forward the following information to intake@lsbr.org; please put "Surrender" in the subject line:
- Fill out the Owner/Stray Questionnaire.
- Fill out the Owner/Stray Release.
- Attach digital pictures of your dog.
- Have your vet fax all medical records to 1+(281) 251-6179.
Once we have received the requested information an LSBR Representative will contact you within 24 hours.
Note that it is extremely important to be completely honest when answering all questions regarding your dog. This will give your dog the best possible chance of a successful transition to his/her new home. A minimum amount of $50.00 is required to surrender your dog into our program. This is far less than the expenses LSBR will incur before the dog is adopted.
Please understand that rescue groups get many calls and emails every day from people wanting to surrender their dog who is "like their child" and must deal with good and bad reasons for surrendering of dogs. We must work together to help this dog. As a rescue group we can only do so much. We are regular working people with families of our own, just like you, who do rescue because we love dogs. Rescue is a volunteer activity and rescue people commit countless hours helping homeless dogs. WE DO NOT HAVE A SHELTER.
Remember, if you must re-home your dog, it is in the dog's best interest for you to keep the dog, if at all possible, until that home can be found. You know your dog best, and it is less traumatic than shuffling the dog from home to foster home/boarding kennel, etc.
If the dog is in need of emergency medical treatment, please call our volunteer line and press 2 for instructions.