Surrender
Surrendering or Giving Up a Pet
We are a limited-intake, non-profit, Volunteer based, no-kill rescue whose mission is to rescue abandoned and abused animals. We visit other shelters in the area looking for pets suitable for re-homing that have run out of time or need medical care that they would not otherwise receive (heartworm treatment as an example). Animal surrenders are accepted on a case-by-case basis. We keep all healthy, adoptable pets as long as it takes to find them a home.
Giving up an animal should not be taken lightly; animals bond very strongly to humans, and the longer a pet has lived with a human, the stronger the bond and the greater the pain of abandonment. Adopting a pet in the first place means taking responsibility for a life – for a pet’s WHOLE life, not just for as long as it is convenient or cute. Please make sure you have explored all of your options for keeping your pet with you or a family member, before you make this difficult decision. It is a decision that is likely not only to disrupt the pet’s emotional stability and routine, but also members of your family unit, especially children who may not be able to comprehend why a loved family member must leave.
Ask yourself if there is anything about your pet behaviorally or medically that could be worked on in order for you to keep him / her. If you decide you must surrender: PLEASE fill out the form on this page. If we believe we will be able to help you, we will reach out to you directly. Remember we are a limited-intake rescue and take in approved animals only, as we have LIMITED KENNEL space and limited resources. In all cases, you will need proof of identification as proof of ownership of the pet you are surrendering. Your pet must be surrendered with a medical record, leash, collar, and a bag of food. You must fill out a surrender form before being considered.
We cannot adopt out pets that we believe to be a safety risk to others or is aggressive towards other dogs. Vaccinations must be up-to-date at time of surrender, or we will need to ask you to pay for them before surrendering the pet.
We are a private nonprofit organization that receives no city, state or federal funding. We rely on revenue that we generate to care for pets while they are in our care. Admission Fees help us to offset the costs to house your pet, provide medical care, and make sure your pet finds a new forever home. The surrender donation, if accepted, is a minimum of $100 depending on the medical conditions, overall health, and if your pet needs to be spayed/neutered. The payment must be made via cash or card, no checks will be accepted. If there is a reason the fee cannot be paid, that will be discussed in person at the time of evaluation and admittance.
Why A Pet Surrender Fee?
The average cost to care for each animal in our facility during their stay at Life Beyond Kennels is $500. This includes: age appropriate vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, flea/tick control, food, shelter, and medical care. Some pets require more extensive care.
Life Beyond Kennels is a private, not-for-profit charity organization that meets a specialized need in our community.
Life Beyond Kennels relies on donations and fees to care for at risk animals each year. Life Beyond Kennels does not receive any government funding or tax revenue.
Adoption fees do not offset the cost for care and comprise only a small revenue each year.
There are no length of stay time limits for animals in our shelter.
Once you have surrendered your pet, they become the property of Life Beyond Kennels. We realize that surrendering your pet is an emotional decision which you have made and it would not be responsible of us to return an animal to someone who has told us that they are unable or unwilling to provide care for their pet.
Printable Version of Dog Surrender Form: Please fill out completely and email back