So you want to surrender your Boxer…..

Before you decide to surrender 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, and 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 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.

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?

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. Classes cost $40 or so for  8-weeks, 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 people 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 Southern Arizona Boxer Rescue representative before making the decision to surrender your pet.

We will do our best if you turn him in, but the competition is fierce now with so many dogs in our system.  I do not mean to make you sad but I cannot sugar coat this decision. It is sad to 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 Arizona 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 rescue dogs are neutered, which costs $70-$100 plus shots another $30.  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 hopefully 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.