Owner Surrenders

Mostly Mutts mission:

To rescue dogs from animal control shelters who would otherwise be euthanized.

Unfortunately, we can’t rescue every dog in need but we would like to offer a few tips to help you find a new and  RESPONSIBLE home for your pet.

1.         VETTING:  Before you consider re-homing your pet, please make sure it’s in good health and is fully vetted.  This includes spay/neutered, up to date on shots, and heartworm/Felv tested.   NEVER put an animal in a home that is not spay/neutered.   This could be devastating to your pet if someone decides to breed him/her.  Please contact us if you would like to have your pet spay/neutered and we will send you a low cost spay/neuter listing. Email info@mostlymutts.org

2.         PROFILE:  Write a detailed profile on the dog’s personality.  It’s best to write it in the first person.  Write anything negative in a positive way.  Instead of “Not good with small children”, say “I’m looking for a home with older children who will play with me and not pull my tail, that really hurts.”  Add info concerning behaviors around other dogs, cats, and kids.  The more info you supply, the more interest you will attract.  Send your profile, with photo inserted, to all of your co-workers, friends, neighbors, etc.  Chances are you will find someone who is ready to adopt a new pet.  Hang it on bulletin boards too. 
 

3.         PHOTOS:  Take cute photos of your pet in living situations, such as sitting on the couch with kids, in the car, or on a bed.  Photos are MOST important to attract potential adopters.  

4.         APPLICATION:  Contact info@mostlymutts.org for a generic app. and require interested adopters to fill it out in its entirety.   Require and follow up with references.  Always call at least two non-family references as you don't want your dog to get into the wrong hands.   Ask how the references feels about the family as pet owners and why?

5.         ADOPTION FEE:  ALWAYS charge an adoption fee.  We recommend $100.00.   You can keep the fee to cover your vet bills, donate it to a rescue group, or ask the adopters to make a tax deductible donation to an animal rescue group.  Never give an animal away for free.   People have a way of not respecting things they get for free.

6.         NETWORK:  Send the profile to pad6124@comcast.net  .   If asked politely, she will send it to her email network.   Post on Craigslist.org and the AJC (under "Adopt a Pet", code #711 in the Classifieds).  Search for Yahoo Groups under GA dog rescue -- join groups and post there.  REMINDER: Require an application and charge a fee because many undesirables are looking for free dogs and cats.  You can also post your pets on www.petlostfound.com as a blog and you can add pictures.

7.         EXPOSURE:  Order an "Adopt Me" scarf and take the dog to the dog park, ball fields, etc.   Talk with rescue groups at your local Petsmart or Petco.  Some will allow you to join them during adoption hours.  Use that "Adopt Me" scarf and take copies of your profile to hand out to people who might be interested.   Get listed on Petfinder.com through a pet rescue organization or a blog posting on www.petlostfound.com  Offer a donation for their assistance.  Send also to jsprague98@yahoo.com