Surrendering
Surrendering Your Dog to BTRC
If you are having difficulties with your Boston Terrier which are causing you to consider giving them up for adoption, we would first like to try and help you find solutions which allow you to keep your dog.
Often, people believe they must give up their dog because they do not know how to handle a particular issue. We aren’t experts, but have extensive first-hand experience with Bostons and can offer suggestions and alternatives to giving up your dog. We can also recommend professionals who can work with you and your dog to change problem behaviours.
We do realize that sometimes keeping your dog just isn’t possible for a number of reasons – illness, a move into a retirement residence, lifestyle changes such as divorce, job transfer or job loss, financial hardships and other overwhelming or unforeseen circumstances. We understand that giving up your pet is a difficult and often heart wrenching decision, but that in making this decision and contacting us you are thinking about your dog’s best interests.
If you have made the decision to surrender your dog to rescue:
- Fill out our Intake Information Form, telling us everything you can about your dog. Please be truthful and let us know everything – both good and bad! – as all information will help us make the best decisions for your dog.
- You will be asked to provide a picture of your Boston
- You will be required to sign an Owner Release Agreement, relinquishing ownership and all rights to your dog to our organization.
- You will be asked to have your vet forward your dog’s medical records to us.
- You may be expected to help with transport of your Boston Terrier to an available foster home whenever possible.
- You will be asked to bring along your dog’s possessions at time of surrender (crate, blankets, favourite toys, food, medications, etc.). These familiar items will help your Boston make a smoother transition into foster care.
We do not have a central shelter facility; instead, we volunteer from our private homes. Like you, we have jobs, families and our own pets to care for in addition to our rescue work. We try our best to respond to all inquiries within 48 hours.
As we have a limited number of foster homes, and not all foster homes will be appropriate for each surrendered dog, we may not be able to take in your dog immediately so we kindly ask for your patience while we make arrangements for your pet.
Why “Free to Good Home” ads are not recommended:
What could happen to an animal listed in a “Free To Good Home” ad, either on the Internet, a bulletin board or in the local newspaper?
- They could be abandoned to the streets when the owner tires of them; a “free” dog has no value
- They could be tortured or killed by animal abusers
- They could be sold to research labs for experimentation
- They could be used as bait for fighting dogs
- They could be used as breeding stock in puppy mills
Most people have the best of intentions when offering their pet in such an ad. They sincerely care about the animal, and aren’t concerned about making money. They wish to find a nice, responsible family that will give their pet a loving and caring home.
It’s a frightening fact, however, that there are dishonest and cruel people out there, who scan these ads to find free pets that they can then turn into a profit by whatever means necessary. These people will be very friendly, and very persuasive. Remember, they know all the “right” answers to your questions because they do this all the time! They will sometimes even use children as part of the ploy and present themselves as a “perfect” family.
PLEASE KEEP ANIMALS SAFE. DO NOT LIST YOUR BOSTON TERRIER – OR ANY PET – AS “FREE TO A GOOD HOME”.
Moreover, please contact your local newspaper and ask them to run a warning about placing “Free To Good Home” ads. More and more newspapers are refusing this type of advertisement for the reasons listed above.