Dog Shelters & Rescues in USA

Dogs are truly man' best friend but unfortunately, things don't always work out. It could be that your new fur baby isn't getting along with your other pets and either the new dog or older ones are at risk. Maybe you are moving and your new home is not pet-friendly.

In such cases and given the unfortunate circumstances, keeping a dog and caring for it no longer becomes a feasible option. You may have to consider rehoming your dog or surrendering them to a dog shelter near you.

If you are considering giving up your dog for adoption, it is important that you not only locate a safe, no-kill shelter near you but also that you understand the process of surrendering a pet to a shelter.

It is also crucial that you know all your options if you can no longer keep your dog. To help you out, we have answered 3 of the most commonly asked questions about the matter so that you know exactly what you are getting yourself into and how to do things right.

Can I Just Drop My Dog Off At A Shelter?

It depends on the specific policies of the shelter or dog rescue center you are considering dropping the dog off at. Some may agree to take the dog, no questions asked. Others may only take the dog under specific circumstances.

So, what are these circumstances? Let' find out.

You Found A Stray Dog

If you found a stray dog that you can't or don't want to take home with you, you could easily leave them at a shelter. Most of these centers will allow walk-ins in this case especially if the dog is in need of urgent veterinary care.

In the case of strays, you are also more likely to not have to pay anything to drop off the dog.

Your Dog Is Displaying Aggressive Behavior

No matter how much you love your dog, a violent pooch can be very hard to live with. When the dog becomes a danger to themselves, other pets around them, or to their human companions, you may find yourself forced to surrender them to a shelter.

Here, the most important thing to consider is whether or not you want to take them to a kill shelter. It is best to go with no-kill shelters as your dog will have a chance to get rehabilitated.

This is a particularly good move if your dog' main issue is that they don't get along with other pets in your home.

Moving Into A No-Pets-Allowed Apartment Or Neighborhood

If you are moving to a new home or even a new country and taking your dog with you is not an option, there are shelters and rescue centers that may take your dog off your hands.

More often than not, you will have to pay some form of rescue or rehoming fee to cater for your dog' stay at the shelter as a new home is found for them.

Financial, Social, Or Other Personal Constraints

There are also organizations and dog shelters that would take your dog if you can prove that you are no longer able to take care of the dog yourself. The most commonly acceptable reason is financial constraints.

However, health issues including psychological distress could be considered, in which case there are many shelters and rescue centers that would be willing to take care of your dog.

Where To Take My Dog If I Can't Keep Him?

If for one reason or another you are not able to continue offering the best care for your dog, you may have to consider surrendering them for good, in which case dog shelters are your best bet.

However, these shelters are not the only option available. If you are currently facing this situation, here are a few options you could consider.

Animal Shelter

Animal shelters will almost always take in dogs that for one reason or another can no longer live with their current owners. However, there are different circumstances, in terms of how easy it is to get the dog taken in and the fate of the dog once they are left there.

With the former, you have some animal shelters allowing walk-ins while others require prior warning and some form of application process. Something else to consider when it comes to the ease of having the dog taken is the fact that some shelters may charge a fee.

When it comes to the fate of the dog, some animal shelters have euthanasia policies where the dog will be put down if they are aggressive, terminally ill, or having a hard time getting rehomed. If you don't wish this for your dog, make sure you find a dog shelter with a no-kill policy.

Rescue Society Or Organization

You could also find a rescue organization like the Animal Humane Society and other similar groups near you to take your dog if you can no longer keep them. These ones are more often than not completely free of charge.

However, it may not be very easy to surrender a non-stray dog, as stray dogs are often given top priority.

Foster Care

Another option you should consider if you want or need to surrender your dog is finding foster parents. You can usually find these through social media platforms. They may be free or at a fee but at least you will have the peace of mind that your dog has a home, albeit temporarily.

How Much Is It To Surrender My Dog?

The cost of surrendering a dog depends on the specific policies at the shelter or rescue organization that you are considering working with.

For many of these centers, you may get to drop your dog off for free. However, this is a privilege often reserved for specific cases like the surrendering of stray dogs.

For shelters and rescue centers where you have to pay, the prices on average range from $50 to $150 or even more. Some may offer discounts on the price for situations including surrendering of entire litters or surrendering stray dogs.