Owner Surrenders

Unfortunately, we can’t rescue every dog in need but we’d like to help!

Click here for information on safely rehoming your pet.

If you need to find a new home for your dog, please send an email to Jamie at info@doggieharmony.org. She will send you a list of questions to answer about your dog and will post the information on petfinder.com. You can also send an email to Allison at pad6124@comcast.net. She can forward your dog’s information to her email distribution group.

Here are our recommendations 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 being 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 at info@mostlymutts.org if you would like to have your pet fixed and we will provide you with low cost spay/neuter options.

2. Profile: Write a detailed profile on the dog’s personality. It’s best to write it in the first person (pretend to be the dog) and write anything negative in a positive way. For example, 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, because that really hurts.” Add information concerning behaviors around other dogs, cats, and kids. The more information you provide, the more interest you will attract. Send your profile, with a photo inserted, to all of your co-workers, friends, neighbors, etc. You can also hang it on bulletin boards at vets offices and local dog parks. Chances are you will find someone who is ready to adopt a new pet.

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 the MOST important element in attracting potential adopters.

4. Application: Contact us at info@mostlymutts.org for a generic application and require interested adopters to fill it out in its entirety. Require references and call them. Always call at least two non-family references because you don't want your dog to get into the wrong hands. Ask the references how they feel about the family owning a pet and why they feel that way.

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: There are many ways to get the word out to potential adopters. Besides sending an email to pad6124@comcast.net or posting on petfinder.com (send an email to jsprague98@yahoo.com to do so), post you dog’s profile on Craigslist.org and the AJC newspaper (under "Adopt-A-Pet" 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.

7. Exposure: Order an "Adopt Me" scarf (www.bandanamania.com) and take the dog to the dog parks, ball fields, etc. Talk with rescue groups at your local Petsmart or Petco. Some will allow you to join them during adoption hours, especially if you offer a donation for their assistance. Hand out copies of the dog’s profile to people who may be interested.