Owner surrenders

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If you find yourself in a situation where you can no longer house an animal that you, a friend, or a family member have adopted, please remember that surrender is not your only option! Read below for some of our solutions to common reasons associated with owner surrender.

But if you have exhausted all of your options and still feel it is in everybody's best interest to rehome a pet, reach out to your local rescue organizations. Many have pages on their websites under "Resources" specifically for owner surrenders. Our list of Los Angeles rescues that serve college students is available here.

Unfortunately, Woof On Campus itself does not accept owner surrenders. Because we are a rescue partner, the Woof Team would not have the capacity to solicit adoption applications or place a surrendered pet. We can advise you on local solutions, even beyond Los Angeles, and provide you with the assistance you need to find a rescue willing to rehome your pet. If you need help finding a rescue near you, email us at contact@woofoncampus.com.

Please do not place any adopted animals on Craigslist or give them away to an unknown party for no fee. Rescues work hard to place animals in homes that can afford their future medical care and wellbeing. Giving your animal away to an unknown party could lead to the worst imaginable scenario.

Do not dump your pet. Pet abandonment is a violation of CA Penal Code 597.

Is it correctable? Have you exhausted all professional training options? Have you spoken to your vet?

Training goes beyond just doing a Wikipedia search or attending one pet store group session. While both of these options are valuable for instilling good behavior in your pets and you as an owner, some pets may require a greater solution. Reach out to a private trainer in your area to set up a consult, some will even do the initial consult for free. Dedicated, persistent training will make an impact on your pets' behaviors. We have seen animals completely turn around in their behavior after training, and you have an obedient, trained pet as a result.

A bite incident doesn’t condemn your pet forever. Determine why the bite occurred and avoid risky situations. Was your dog protecting you? If it was a dog fight, whose pet was the aggressor? Get the whole story, details, and the information of the other party in any extreme situation. 

Have you talked to your doctor? Have you determined from allergy testing that the allergies are due to your pet?

Millions of people enjoy sharing their homes and their lives with pets, even those who are allergic to animals. If you determine that your allergy is directly related to your pet, you could create "pet-free" zones in your house where allergies will not be flared or use HEPA air filters. Weekly baths will also help prevent pet dander. Additional treatments for allergies to pets include immunotherapy (allergy shots), steroidal and antihistamine nose sprays, and antihistamine pills. It is important to find an allergist who understands your commitment to living with your pet. A combination of approaches—medical control of symptoms, good housecleaning methods, and immunotherapy—is most likely to succeed in allowing an allergic person to live with pets.

Is it a temporary situation? Can you get support for your pet’s care from friends or family? 

Housing can be unreliable, and it can be especially hard to find a place that is compatible with the needs of not just yourself, but your pet. If you are planning on moving, look into pet-friendly housing and read the terms of your lease agreement. Some apartments may require pet rent, others don't. Talk to former residents about the landlord's pet policy. Would your pet qualify as an emotional support animal? Some landlords permit both service and emotional service animals. For more on CA Housing Laws, click here. There are also numerous options for safe, affordable pet travel across domestic and international lines.

Will rehoming your pet truly decrease your personal or financial hardship? Have you reached out to assistance programs for pet-owners with demonstrated financial need?

Many hardships are temporary. Look for compromises before you start looking for new homes for your pet. Search for local low-income pet-owner assistance programs near you. Woof On Campus is currently in the process of creating a scholarship application fund for student pet-owners with demonstrated, urgent needs with an expected launch of 2023.