Thursday, November 13, 2014

Owner Turn Ins

One of the most heartbreaking moments is when a family has to make a difficult decision to turn in their dog to a rescue.  There could be many reasons for the turn-in: financial difficulties, relocation, or perhaps they can physically no longer care for the animal they love so much.  In every case, GRCGLAR is ready to commit resources to finding a new home for an innocent golden retriever. We have dedicated scouts who visit the shelters in their communities and look for golden retrievers, many of whom are owner turn-ins. We also have an established program for owners coming directly to GRCGLAR.

How does the dog behave an event like an owner turn-in? In most cases, the dog is confused and unsure of what is happening. Because they have lived with a family for a long period of time, all their common references have disappeared, such as a kennel, dog bed, or the backyard.  Often, these turn-ins occur at a shelter, which is a substantial shock in itself.  Many dogs withdraw because their familiar surroundings have drastically changed. Some don't even raise their heads or wag their tails and become anxious or restless. Small medical conditions can become large issues because of the stress a dog receives during a turn-in.

As an owner, consider finding an experienced rescue organization if you are facing the possibility of turning in your dog. Municipal animal shelters are overburdened and may not have the resources needed to re-home your pet. You can surrender your golden to GRCGLAR here.

GRCGLAR uses established protocols to rescue dogs, whether they are owner turn-ins or not. With the experience of placing over 4000 dogs in 10+ years and spanning over 39,500 square miles over 6 counties, you can depend on our organization to finding a new renewed life for your golden retriever, complete with another family full of love and care.