http://www.americanboxerrescue.org/Surrenduring Your Boxer

So you want to surrender your Boxer…..

Before you finalize the surrender of your dog please take a moment to consider some important things.

I speak to you as an advocate for your pet because your Boxer has no say in this. If he could speak I am sure you would get an ear-full. Boxers love unconditionally, you are all they have. They are the most emotional of animals.

We see dogs extremely depressed, upset, whining howling, crying for days after surrender. They do not understand where their family went. My heart goes out to them. If we had enough foster homes it would be easier on them but we do not. Our dogs are in crates in a boarding facility, or in outdoor kennels. This is all the housing we have for rescue babies as they wait, sometimes many months, for a forever home. If your dog is older, has any issues such as over-weight, behavior-problems, or is not-full-blooded, their wait for a home can be 6 months to a year. This is not a pleasant experience for the poor sweet-spirited, people-loving Boxer, yet better than the alternative. We save their lives, and do the best we can, but Boxers do not do well in kennel situations for long periods of time.

Because of the overwhelming loss, surrender, abandonment and neglect of dogs in our throw-away society we now have about130 dogs in our system at all times. We try to get volunteers to visit the dogs, bring them toys, take them on walks while at the kennels but of course we need many more volunteers to give the daily attention the dogs crave.

So please, take a deep breath and re-consider why you are giving your Boxer up. Is it really necessary or are you over-reacting to some circumstances that could be resolved with training or a commitment on your part? If this were a human child that suddenly had some issues, would you immediately want to give her/him up for adoption? Of course not! We ask you to think of your family pet in the same way. Many times people really regret making a hasty decision. Many people after counseling with us regarding surrender, and calming down after the event that motivated them to call us, realize that there are other less drastic solutions to the problem.

Lack of training is the number one reason people think they need to give up a dog. People often want to surrender their dog because he is untrained. That is so easily resolved- just an investment in your time and the cost of the lessons. Groups in the Valley cost $40 or so for an 8-week class. And the class is really for you, not the dog. Your dog will respond quickly to consistent training. Do not expect him to be perfect without it!  We even have trainers that will evaluate your dog and your situation for FREE!

Also do not think dogs that fight with one another are suddenly going to attack your child. Do not assume because you are moving there are no ways to take the dog with you. Do not assume that puppy behavior is never going to end but will end immediately if you begin a training regiment. Please at least take the time to call and counsel with a Boxer Luv representative before making the decision to surrender your pet.

Some people do not crate because it is “cruel”. I say it is cruel to refuse to crate train your dog and then give him away because he got into trouble or destroyed something.  He would be better in a crate at your home with time out every few hours with people he loves, rather than alone in an outdoor kennel for months.  Keeping an untrained dog on a on a leash & collar even in the house and working the sit/stay commands can do wonders.

We will do our best if you turn him in, but the competition is fierce now with so many dogs in our system – I think 115 at last count. I do not mean to make you sad but I cannot sugar coat this decision. I weep daily as I see all the pampered babies once snoozing on their Mama’s bed now in a kennel scared to death. And I worry about the huge financial burden we in this rescue struggle with daily to support them in their crisis and try to find new, responsible loving homes.

At least with us it is a temporary situation and better than euthanasia. The county shelters and Humane Societies routinely are putting dogs down for space, and owner turn-ins come first as there are no laws to protect them. The strays at least get a few days to find a home before they are euthanized.

If you still feel you must turn your dog in we ask for your financial support. No shelter in the Valley takes dogs in for free in this day and age- there is a minimum turn-in fee.  Boxer boarding costs for us are between $8-$15 a day. Plus all Boxer Luv rescue dogs are neutered, which costs $70-$100 plus shots another $30. Our annual costs are over $250,000. We are running this rescue only on donations and we desperately need your support.

We will do the best for your Boxer. We carefully screen applicants and eventually will find the perfect match for your dog. We just ask you take a few days and completely evaluate the circumstances before putting your friend through this traumatic experience.

Sincerely,

Trish Spencer/President

Boxer Luv Rescue

If you still feel that it's absolutely necessary to surrender your boxer, download the

Surrender Form, fill it out completely, and fax it to 602-530-5672.

Surrender Form

(please take a minute and look at another approach)