Surrender application

[Heart_Song]

Hmm, I started thinking about this and wondered what you guys thought. Let me explain a bit. I've often thought about having a rescue many, many years in the future and thought about different aspects. One thing I would hate to do is have to turn people/ animals away because of space, but I also know that I could never take in an infinite number of pets.

So I was thinking about trying to develop a surrender application much like an adoption application. That way I would be able to take in animals that people are really serious about finding a good home for instead of just dumping them with me because I'm closer than the shelter or something.

I'm not sure exactly what I would ask, but questions along the lines of "how long have you had this pet? Why are you surrendering them here instead of another rescue? What will you do if we refuse to accept this pet? Why are you surrendering and what have you done to find a solution other than bringing them here?" I know the questions might be probing and offend some people, but that's kinda the point. If someone cares more about the pet than their own feelings, then they will go ahead and answer the questions.

What do you guys think? Good idea or not? If so what kinds of questions would you like to see on an application like this?

[rutylr]

sounds good but,
You would be leaving out the dogs of people who don't want to fill out a surrender application,and could cause people to just dump their dogs.

[fairlight]

Heart...if this could happen are you prepared financially to make sure all these dogs have medical attention? Many surrender because they cannot afford to keep the dog anymore because of financial reasons whihc means they would have to have shots, checked for heart worm, have heart worm meds. Not to mention is their dog has some type of physical disability. I think it is a wonderful and noble idea...but can you financially swing it?

[Heart_Song]

I know people will just dump their dogs, but they would do that if I ran out of room too so there's really no difference there. What I want is to have an option that is solely for people who care too much about their pet to dump them. Those who would dump their dog can take them to another rescue or shelter, it's not like I'm removing any choices, I would just be adding a new one.

Financially, notice how I said many, many years in the future, lol. People have rescues all the time, so why not me? Can only independently wealthy people have rescues? I don't think so. I would also be very willing to sacrifice having a nice car or big house in order to put that money to a more noble cause.

Medical attention, eh, I'll be able to do most of that myself. Who knows, I might even live near a friend who owns a vet clinic and will allow me to borrow their facilities and just pay for whatever material I use. I'd be able to buy medication in bulk directly from the manufacturer and therefore it would be quite a bit cheaper.

I'd also be able to do my own behavior analysis on all the pets that enter and train them before adopting them out. I expect that within a few years I'll have quite a broad network of associates in the pet world and probably wouldn't have much trouble finding people who would want to help by fostering.

All in all, I can't think of a much better canidate to run a rescue shelter.

[fairlight]

Then keep your dream alive!! If this is for you then go for it. It may also help if you spend a dollar a week on a lottery ticket....you never know!

[Moo]

The BC SPCA has Surrender Intake forms that were supposed to be filled out upon intake. It wasn't an application, because it couldn't be rejected, but it gave the shelter and the future owner a better feel for the pet's background.

It asked where it came from breed/store/rescue, age of the animal, how long they've had the animal, behavior, favourite foods, etc.

[Dignity]

I know they pyr rescue has people fill out a surrender form. They also take pyrs from shelters too though.

[borzoimom]

A few suggestions to add. In helping with shepherd rescue on and off for several years, we had a form that was also notorized that the person surrendering the dog understands the dog will be placed at the discretion of the "agent" ( you), and the adoptee has the right to privacy of their address and contact information.
And add " If applicatable- ( near the reason for surrendar..) ARe there any forms or steps the person has taken to remedy the situation... This would be like if they consulted a behaviorist, trainer, etc.. This becomes useful to you in determining if training etc has been involved before the surrendar.

[Dignity]

Here are questions I would ask (and most should be optional)
General Info:
Dog's Name
Dog's Breed(s)
Dog's Age
Female/Male - Spayed/Neutered
Medical Needs

Description:
General Temperament:
Does the dog get along with: other dogs, children, cats, other small animals (for each one have 'yes/no/unsure')
Does the dog know commands/tricks
Is the dog house trained

Reason for surrender (make sure that this field is optional - many people don't want to disclose or will lie about the reason)


I'm tired, so this is mostly what I can think of.

[Moo]

Ours had options for reason for surrender: Move, new baby, allergy, too many pets, new pet, monetary issues, and "other" with an optional fill in line.