Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Having to pay to surrender a dog to rescue?

89 replies

Httr · 21/02/2023 14:44

Firstly I understand there is alot of work that goes into rescue, a lot of money needed to take on and rehome a dog. I'm very aware of that.

I have a purebred dog I have to rehome. DEVASTATING circumstances I won't go into. But I'm heartbroken. She is only 1 years old and not neutered yet.

I paid alot of money for her.

But her being happy and safe in a loving home is way more important than getting my money back.

But money is part of the reason I am rehoming (not the main reason that is really out of my control) but I am in a bad way financially (all come about in last 3 months)

So I contact breed rescue. And they want £75 fee to surrender her.

Surely this must put people off?

I could go on gumtree now and sell her for £700 easily. I WON'T because I'm terrified she will be taken by someone horrible.

But why is there a surrender fee when to adopt a dog from this rescue is £675.

Surley the £675 adoption fee covers the costs?

I'm not trying to be bitch or dismiss the wonderful work they do.

But they are a rescue that soley works with an expensive breed that are easily sold, even as adults. So don't you think charging people to surrender their dogs just encourages people to sell them instead?

I don't have the money to give them so I don't know what to do now.

Is this normal now?

Obviously adoptions fees have always been a thing, but surrender fees?

OP posts:
MadeForThis · 21/02/2023 14:51

Not all rescues are reputable either. Do your research.

currantbee · 21/02/2023 14:51

Will the breeder not take her back?

Original poster
Httr · 21/02/2023 14:52

MadeForThis · 21/02/2023 14:51

Not all rescues are reputable either. Do your research.

No they are, they are highly recommended. Wonderful work but they just have a rehoming fee.

OP posts:
Isanyholeagoal · 21/02/2023 14:54

If your breeder was any good they will take the dog back

karmalama · 21/02/2023 14:54

Completely see your point and the issue
Might be worth speaking to your vets, they often know of someone looking for a particular breed and could vouch for good character etc.
Or find a local rescue with a good reputation, some will re home directly from you, thus avoiding kennels, but again going to a checked out home.

Original poster
Httr · 21/02/2023 14:56

currantbee · 21/02/2023 14:51

Will the breeder not take her back?

She is very sympathetic but she doesn't live in the UK right now so can't help. She won't be back for 8 months.

OP posts:
Starlitestarbright · 21/02/2023 14:59

Rescues have to provide food shelter, equipment,health care, staff. It costs a lot to care for these animals. Many aren't charity based.

SettingPrecedents · 21/02/2023 15:02

Have you explained your circumstances to them? I’ve been in a similar situation, the rescue had a suggested surrender fee but it wasn’t mandatory. I can see why they ask, but I’d be very unimpressed if they refused to take a dog if you couldn’t afford that fee.

R0ckets · 21/02/2023 15:05

£75 doesn't sound too unreasonable at all to be honest. If people want to sell their dogs on then they will do so regardless, not having to pay to surrender won't stop them selling their dog.

Even if finances are tight a responsible pet owner wouldn't quibble at the cost given that the rescue will have to feed, vaccinate, neuter and house the dog until its rehomed. All of which will likely not leave much change out of the cost of surrendering and the adoption fee the new owners pay.

Your breeder also doesn't sound that good to be honest, where are her dogs whilst she's out of the country for 8 bloody months?

Original poster
Httr · 21/02/2023 15:14

R0ckets · 21/02/2023 15:05

£75 doesn't sound too unreasonable at all to be honest. If people want to sell their dogs on then they will do so regardless, not having to pay to surrender won't stop them selling their dog.

Even if finances are tight a responsible pet owner wouldn't quibble at the cost given that the rescue will have to feed, vaccinate, neuter and house the dog until its rehomed. All of which will likely not leave much change out of the cost of surrendering and the adoption fee the new owners pay.

Your breeder also doesn't sound that good to be honest, where are her dogs whilst she's out of the country for 8 bloody months?

Her sister died.

So she is taking care of her sisters small children whilst they are grieving. She's taken her single doh (my dogs mum) with her.

OP posts:
Zodfa · 21/02/2023 15:16

I would guess the fee is there to discourage disreputable types from simply dumping their unwanted dogs, but it isn't an overwhelming burden for most loving owners.

IaminRome · 21/02/2023 15:17

I had to re-home my dog and I loved her. I would have paid happily to re-home her somewhere where I knew she would be guaranteed a good onwards life.
She was my best friend and I didn't want to give her up, but had to. I could never have dumped her, or sold her to anyone.
How can you think about even the idea of getting your money back?

Toddlerteaplease · 21/02/2023 15:19

It costs money to rehome and look after these dogs. And she needs spaying. It's not unreasonable to ask for a donation.

PepsiMaxCan · 21/02/2023 15:24

Try the Blue Cross- they may find you a home without her ever having to go into their kennels. They brokered a rescue for us- he came straight from his elderly owner to us (owner couldn't cope). Much less stressful for the dog.

SeriouslyLTB · 21/02/2023 15:27

OP - you can find her a great home yourself if you are willing to put the time in and filter people.

I help with rescue work and we use Pets4Homes to post dogs for adoption. Clearly post in the ADOPTION section (not pets for sale) and say adoption fee and home check apply, they will be asked to sign a neutering contract and will give regular updates. You can specify the areas you are willing to rehome to, that you will need to see proof of residency and/or a permission letter from. a landlord to have a pet. You can even say that you will write a contract for them to sign that says they will spay her - drafts of this can be found online if you search 'pet adoption contract'. You can filter out a lot of people very quickly and find her an excellent home. You don't have to be nice about it, and you can ask for any conditions you want. There are lots of genuine people using these sites who just want a rescue dog.

SeriouslyLTB · 21/02/2023 15:28

Alternatively - Many Tears Rescue in Wales rehome a lot of breeds and have a network of volunteers who may be able to collect the dog. I don't believe they charge a surrender fee.

PandasAreUseless · 21/02/2023 15:29

It's because there is now an epidemic of people giving up their dogs.
A lot of numpties got them through the lockdowns and now either can't be arsed, or realise that their circumstances are woefully inappropriate.
I'm not saying you are one of these numpties OP.
But everyone thinks they're the exception to the rule, with a really valid excuse, don't they 🤷🏼‍♀️

RelentlessForwardProgress · 21/02/2023 15:32

I once took a stray cat into Battersea.....and they were really hostile. eg when they asked what I had tried to find an owner, I told them I'd put up posters locally, contacted all the local vets, one of whom had scanned to check for a chip etc, they opened laughed and said, oh I doubt that very much Confused)

I asked a neighbour of mine who did some volunteering for them why they were so rude, and she told me that as it was the first week of the summer holidays, they would have had a lot of 'strays' handed in because people abandoned pets rather than pay a boarding fee when they were going on holiday!!! I wonder if the £75 is designed to encourage people who are doing this, maybe making it the same cost as a week in the kennels?

whatchaos · 21/02/2023 15:37

Why not sell her to a good home? Check it out, make sure the people seem nice. Refund them some money and get the dog neutered first, donate the rest to a rescue.

WhatsGoinOnMama · 21/02/2023 15:39

Surely what you’ll save on insurance, food, flea and worming treatment will cover it.

Rescues don’t have a never ending supply of money to prop up everyone who didn’t plan well enough to have a dog.

Poor dogs with feckless owners.

WhatsGoinOnMama · 21/02/2023 15:41

Httr · 21/02/2023 15:14

Her sister died.

So she is taking care of her sisters small children whilst they are grieving. She's taken her single doh (my dogs mum) with her.

Show quote history

I’ve heard that excuse and similar before when people have tried to return dogs to supposed ‘responsible’ breeders.

🚩 Puppy farm

2bazookas · 21/02/2023 15:44

And they want £75 fee to surrender her.Surely this must put people off?

Maybe it makes a dog owner think twice about their responsibility and obligation?

I could go on gumtree now and sell her for £700 easily. I WON'T because I'm terrified she will be taken by someone horrible.

Well you could TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for checking that the buyer was suitable? Visit the home, extensively question their circumstances and experience; all the stuff a reputable breeder should have done before selling to you.... so you know how it goes.

LynneBenfield · 21/02/2023 15:45

WhatsGoinOnMama · 21/02/2023 15:41

I’ve heard that excuse and similar before when people have tried to return dogs to supposed ‘responsible’ breeders.

🚩 Puppy farm

Show quote history

Indeed

Original poster
Httr · 21/02/2023 15:45

WhatsGoinOnMama · 21/02/2023 15:41

I’ve heard that excuse and similar before when people have tried to return dogs to supposed ‘responsible’ breeders.

🚩 Puppy farm

Show quote history

Um, it's very much true. I chose her as she is a FOAF and they whole family is devastated. This all only happened 6 weeks ago.

What a crass thing to say.

OP posts:
R0ckets · 21/02/2023 15:46

Her sister died.

So she is taking care of her sisters small children whilst they are grieving. She's taken her single doh (my dogs mum) with her.

I'm sorry if that's genuinely true although I don't know anyone who would be able to randomly take 8 months off to go live in another country with her sisters kids who presumably have a father however this sort of elaborate story for a dog not being able to be returned genuinely screams puppy farm.