Giving Up a Pet
About Rehoming
Commit to Kindness
We know that some dog owners struggle with care, and sometimes a dog and a household are simply not the right fit. If you need assistance with giving up a pet, we can offer humane and thoughtful help.
In some cases, we may be able to welcome the dog into our own adoption program - if we are not able to, we will help you find another rescue organization who shares our values and dedication to compassionate care.
Before You Rehom
Explore Your Options
Fetching Tails only accepts surrendered dogs if all other options have been exhausted. We believe the best option for a dog is to stay with the family who has adopted them - and we urge households to explore ways to keep their dog before they decide to relinquish.
The following resources may help you manage issues common to pet owners.
Financial Resources
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If you need help paying for vet bills, RedRover.org has a comprehensive directory of national and state-specific financial aid resources.
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Chicago residents that need support in keeping their pet can visit the Chicagoland Rescue Intervention and Support Program’s website to see if they qualify for assistance.
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If you keep your pet, you may want to acquire veterinary insurance. Here’s why.
Behavior Resources
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Behavior Helpline: If your pet has a behavioral issue, we may be able to help. Our expert staff can answer questions and provide solutions to many common behavior problems.
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Training: Training your dog supports the human/animal bond with reward-based training. Please contact us for local referrals
Ideas to Try Before Bringing a Dog to a Rescue
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Give yourself time to re-home your pet. It can take weeks or months to find a good home. The more people that know your pet needs a home, the better your chances become of finding one. Tell friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors - and ask them to help.
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Ensure good health by having it spayed or neutered and up-to-date on vaccinations.
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Use social media to get the word out about your pet. Make sure you include attractive pictures and a video of your pet.
How We Can Help
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As a foster-based organization, we have limited space to take on unexpected animals.
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We cannot accept any dogs that have a history of aggression or biting.
Surrender Form
Tell Us About Your Pet
If you would like to discuss relinquishing your pet, please get started by filling out the form below. A member of our team will be in touch shortly to learn more and to discuss options.
Support Our Work
Fetching Tails enriches our community through a mix of rescue efforts and public programs. We are committed to saving animals from intake shelters, to helping dogs find families who will ensure they enjoy vibrant, full lives.