Surrendering a Pet

No one wants to give up a pet that has often become a part of the family. While it can be heartbreaking, we understand circumstances occur that necessitate having to give up and surrender a pet. When that happens, Best Friends is willing to partner with you and offer options for you to consider as you make the transition as smooth as possible for your pet.

Owner options for surrendering a dog:

> Contact No Kill Shelters. As the dog’s owner, contact no-kill shelters to ask about their space availability to take your dog. Nearby shelters include:

  • Oregon Humane Society, Portland OR 503-285-7722

  • PAWS, Pendleton OR 541-276-0181

  • Idaho Humane, Boise ID 208-342-3508

  • Blue Mountain, LaGrande OR, 541-963-0807

> Courtesy Social Media Post. Best Friends will do a courtesy post on our Facebook page giving you exposure to a wider group of people who may be interested in your dog.

  • You provide Best Friends with the blurb you want posted along with your phone number. You are the point of contact for inquiries about your dog.

  • Best Friends can offer guidance and tips for screening potential adopters

> Waitlist Your Dog For A Best Friends Foster Home. This option applies only to dogs with NO aggressive behavior history.

  • A dog with NO aggressive behavior history can be placed on the Best Friends waitlist for a foster home. We are unable to take into our care animals with a history of severe aggressive behavioral issues. NOTE: This is NOT a ‘quick fix’ option for rehoming your dog. It can take months to find an appropriate, available foster home.

  • Being added to the Best Friends waitlist requires the approval of the Dog Program Lead Volunteer.

  • Owners complete the online Pet Surrender Form (see form below), and agree to an interview and a dog meet ‘n greet with a Dog Program Volunteer. NOTE: Effective 11/25/2024, Best Friends is unable to take owner-surrendered dogs.

> Behavioral Issues Need Training. You would be willing to keep your dog if it were better trained and the behavioral issues the dog exhibits were corrected. For this option, you seek assistance from a professional dog trainer. As the dog’s owner, you contact the trainer and handle the arrangements and cost. Below is contact information for a few dog trainers. An online search will, undoubtedly, surface more dog trainers that you may prefer.

  • Ruff House Unleashed, Klamath Falls OR 714-388-5615

  • Ashwood Dog Training, Baker City OR 541-519-9853

  • Adventure K9, Boise ID 208-488-1606

  • Positive Pets Dog Training, Meridian & Boise ID 208-888-0708

  • All Dogs Unleashed, Boise ID 208-243-9800

NOTE: EFFECTIVE 11/25/2024 WE ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT OWNER-SURRENDERED DOGS

Pet Surrender Form