Surrender Procedure

ANIMAL SURRENDER PROCEDURE

We understand that the decision to rehome your pet can be a complex and emotional decision, and we appreciate that you want the best for your dog. Our priority is to find a suitable, experienced home that understands Bulldog needs and can provide a stable, loving environment.

⚠️ Please note: We cannot predict precisely how long the rehoming process will take. The timeline depends on your dog’s needs, their temperament, and the availability of the right family. Our focus is on quality of placement, not speed - we aim to match your dog with the best possible home rather than the first available one.

Below is a detailed guide on how our Bulldog surrender and rehoming process works.

1️. Initial enquiry & rehoming log

When you first reach out to us, we will gather key details to start the Rehoming log for your Bulldog. This helps us understand your situation and your dog’s needs.

📌 Information we will ask for:

✅ Your details (name, contact info, location)

✅ Reason for rehoming (e.g., lifestyle changes, medical issues, financial difficulties, behavioural concerns, etc.)

✅ How urgently rehoming is needed (immediate / within a few months / no strict timeline)

✅ Can you keep the dog until a new home is found?

✅ Basic details of your Bulldog (name, age, breed, gender, spayed/neutered, vaccinations, temperament, medical history)

✅ Health history & microchip information

✅ Details on behaviour, personality, daily routine & care needs

✅ Photos & videos to assist with rehoming efforts

🔹 After collecting this information, our team will review your case and reply within 48 to 72 hours, depending on availability and case urgency.

2️. Discussion with the Paws of Hope Bulldog Rescue team & dog profiling

Once your enquiry is received, our rehoming volunteers will review the information and determine the following:

✔️ If we can accept your dog based on available foster space and resources

✔️ Whether a foster or direct adoption is the best route

✔️ Any medical or behavioural concerns that may need special attention

Bulldog-specific factors we consider:

🐾 Breathing issues (common in brachycephalic breeds)

🐾 Skin problems, allergies, or wrinkles requiring special care

🐾 Joint & mobility issues (e.g., hip dysplasia, arthritis)

🐾 Energy level & exercise needs

🐾 Does the dog require an experienced Bulldog owner?

3️. Face-to-face dog assessment

We may require a face-to-face evaluation before we proceed. This helps us determine the best type of home for your dog.

🐶 The assessment may take place at:

✅ Your home (the dog is more comfortable in a familiar setting)

✅ The dog’s current home, if temporarily moved (for a controlled environment evaluation)

🔹 What we look for in the assessment:

Breathing difficulties (Bulldogs often have BOAS – Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome)
Social behaviour with people and other animals
Separation anxiety levels (Bulldogs can be prone to attachment issues)
Leash-walking and basic obedience
Food or toy-guarding tendencies

4️. Rehoming agreement & acceptance into our care

You will be asked to sign a formal surrender agreement if we accept your Bulldog into our rehoming programme.

📜 Key points of the surrender agreement:

✔️ You are voluntarily surrendering ownership to our charity

✔️ You provide all medical and behavioural history truthfully

✔️ You agree to cooperate with our charity if the rehoming process is endangered by details untruthfully provided to us before the rehoming, which might pose a danger to the wellbeing of the dog and/or their new family.

✔️ You acknowledge that we will place your Bulldog in the most suitable home, which may not necessarily be local.

🔹 If we cannot take your dog due to space or other factors, we will advise you on ethical, breed-specific alternatives.

5️. Finding the best home for your Bulldog

🔍 Steps involved:

✅ Creating a detailed rehoming profile for your Bulldog

✅ Promoting through our Bulldog rescue network, website & social media

✅ Screening adopters thoroughly:

• Adoption applications (home, lifestyle, experience)

• Home checks (to ensure Bulldog-safe environment)

• Interviews (to confirm expectations & breed knowledge)

🔹 Bulldogs require experienced owners who understand their medical, dietary, and behavioural needs.

🔹 We do not operate on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis - only the most suitable homes will be considered.

6️. Arranging uplift & transportation

We will arrange a safe transportation plan once a foster or permanent home is found.

🚗 Options include:

✔️ You can participate in the transportation plans by taking your Bulldog to a meeting place

✔️ A charity volunteer can collect your Bulldog if needed

✔️ For long-distance rehoming, we may use specialised pet transport services

🔹 During the handover, we will double-check that the dog comes with all necessary items (harness/collar + lead, bed, blankets, food, medication, personal items, toys, etc.), which the dog owner should provide for a smooth transition.

7️. Foster or Foster-to-adopt monitoring

Bulldogs often require time to adjust. Many undergo a complex foster or foster-to-adopt trial period to ensure a good fit.

📝 During this period, we provide:

✔️ Regular welfare check-ins

✔️ Vet care if needed

✔️ Training & support for the new home

🔹 If the placement does not work out, we will reassess and find a better match.

8️. Final adoption & post-adoption support

Once a match is successful:

✅ The adopter signs a dog adoption contract

✅ We provide a dog care pack (training guides, medical history, transition advice)

✅ Continued support & follow-ups to ensure a successful placement

📌 We operate a lifetime return policy – if circumstances change, we will always endeavour to take the Bulldog back into our care.

FAQs – Dog surrender

❓ How long will the rehoming process take?

There is no fixed timeframe – it can take weeks or months. Our focus is on finding the best match, not the fastest placement.

❓ Will my Bulldog be rehomed nearby?

Not necessarily. We prioritise matching needs over location, but we always ensure safe and ethical placements.

❓ What if my Bulldog has health issues?

We will discuss medical care and ensure adopters understand Bulldog-specific needs. If rehoming is not possible, we may explore sanctuary or long-term foster care options.

❓ Will I be able to keep in touch to find out updates or news about my Bulldog?

We can discuss options to keep in touch, depending on the circumstances of each specific rehoming process, to determine the possibility of providing you with dog updates that protect the data and personal privacy of the dog’s new owners.

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💙 We understand that surrendering your dog is never easy. Rest assured, we are committed to finding the best possible home where your dog will be loved, cared for, and understood.

Surrender Procedure

Surrender Enquiry