You may call our shelter for surrender fees and availability, our shelter accepts surrendered animals Tuesday - Friday from 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Please read the articles below before you make up your mind! However, If you still need to surrender your pet, please call the shelter and we will quote you a surrender fee. After you bring the animal to the shelter we will evaluate it to determine the final price. Our evaluation depends greatly on your animals appearance and temperament (does it need to be groomed, do you have medical records showing updated shots, is the animal friendly and healthy?)

Surrender Info | Pet Surrender Contract | Cat Surrender Profile | Dog Surrender Profile

Before you give up your Pet we ask you to re-consider and Read this information
How Could You?

Links to Sites that List Pet-Friendly Apartments - Here are some resources to get you started on your successful search for a pet-friendly apartment. If no online link is provided, call the organization for help in finding pet-friendly housing in that area; the local humane societies mentioned below all have lists of pet-friendly apartment communities in their areas, and may have complete information packets. Good luck with your move!

National Apartment Locators

www.apartmentguide.com
www.apartments.com
www.apartmentworld.com
www.dogfriendly.com
www.forrent.com
www.101apartments.com
www.peoplewithpets.com
www.petapartments.net
www.petswelcome.com
www.rent.net

MASSACHUSETTS call 617-522-7400

Boston
www.peoplewithpets.com
www.petsrwelcome.com
Stoughton
www.homeproperties.com
Waltham
www.homeproperties.com
Worcester
www.petrent.net

Telling the Kids...Food for Thought (from the website below)

Telling your children that you must rehome or euthanize your pet can be very difficult. Pets can loom large in their world, even if they don't give any outward indication of it. I suggest you consider very carefully what you will tell them, and do some soul searching first. I truly hope you are teaching your children the true value of life and happiness, and the value of life and happiness for others. Yes, life isn't fair, but we can try anyway. This is an opportunity for you to teach your children about it, heartbreaking for them and you as it may be.

If you haven't tried your honest best to keep and care for your pet, I sincerely hope your kids at least do not learn that life is disposable in any way. There is a lesson in commitment to be taught here, about the commitment of caring for an animal who's life depends completely on you. Living creatures, especially those we bring into our lives and keep in our lives deliberately, do deserve the utmost care and respect, and that includes children and animals. I have heard of children wondering if they themselves will be given away if they are bad or cause problems. Children often ask us if people could be put to sleep too. It is not easy explaining to a then 6 year old that it was okay to put your dog to sleep but not a human. It was a real concern to her that she could be given a shot and would die." The words "it's just a dog" or "it's just a cat" often have a different meaning to someone who also hears "he's just a kid".

I have heard of parents punishing their young children for not caring for a pet (or other misdeeds such as not cleaning their room) by taking the pet to the shelter, most likely to be put to death, or giving the pet away. I have no idea at all how parents can expect a child to take care for another living thing without a whole lot of help if they are not old enough to take care for themselves yet, regardless of the child's age. It is cruel to the child and the pet, not something I would think most parents intend to teach when they really just want to teach responsibility. It can backfire horribly. Getting out of a commitment to taking care of a living, thinking, emotional being is a serious issue. It has also been proven that kids who first disrespect and then become cruel to animals can grow into those who disrespect, be cruel to, and even kill humans (See the Humane Society's First Strike page for more info). Sometimes kids don't even grow up before moving on to hurting people. How your kids see you treat your animals can have a very profound effect.

If your kids want another pet right away, don't do it. It means they don't truly understand the lesson. You must try to teach them what has really happened first, and possibly teach yourself too, so you will never have to go through this again. More soul searching will be needed. The best, most humane decision is most often not to get another pet at all.

If you are truly and honestly acting in the animal's best interests, as opposed to your own best interests, and have worked hard to find solutions, then worked even harder on deciding where the animal will go, then the lesson is easier. You are doing what you believe to be the most humane for the animal, with your eyes wide open. If not, then these will be a very hard lessons to teach, I don't know how you'll do it.

Parents who dump children's pets should realize that they are not only hurting the pets, they are directly hurting their children and giving them the message that family doesn't matter.

WARNING: Free to Good Home: If you are trying to give away or get rid of your family pet...please see this link before advertising your pet as "FREE TO GOOD HOME". This is very important for the safety and well being of YOUR pet.

Death Row

So Your Pet Bit Someone and You Need to Surrender Him? Read This

Surrendering your pet because the landlord says no? Read about YOUR legal rights!

Exhaust Other Solutions First!

Are you having problems with your pet? Litter box? Food aggression? Territorial behavior? Spraying/Marking the house? Having a tough time integrating your pet into the house? Don't give up! Email your questions at staff@sterlingshelter.org, problems or issues to this email address which goes directly to the Staff here at the shelter!

We will do some research, find a solution and email you back with suggestions on how to correct the problem(s). (Most questions can be answered within 24 hours unless staff is out on a rescue, sick or otherwise unable to check email.) This service is a reference tool and the information and suggestions are coming from a variety of sources, trainers, behaviorists and professional animal organizations dedicated to helping you and your pet.

Rover needs a new home? Don't call the shelter - Here are some things to try first

It's no secret that animal shelters are often overflowing with dogs and that shelters and animal control agencies euthanize dogs that no one wants. Although the number of dogs dying for lack of a new home has decreased dramatically in most areas of the country, there are still far too many dogs entering shelters and pounds and not coming out alive.

Many dogs in shelters are strays picked up by dog wardens or turned in by citizens who find them wandering through neighborhoods, but a large number of shelter residents are turned in by owners who no longer want them or can no longer provide for them. The reasons range from family divorce, allergies, illness, or relocation to “the kids are gone so we don't want Lady any more.” One recent study shows that many dogs are abandoned by young families who have failed to build a bond with the animal.

Many purebreds turned into shelters find their way to rescue groups, where they are kept until a new home is found, but most dogs entering shelters die there. There's no doubt that the shelter offers a convenient solution when owners no longer want a dog, but the number of dogs turned in by owners increases shelter deaths and impacts shelter budgets. Here are a few tips to try before making that fateful trip.

• If Misty just doesn't fit your family or lifestyle, try to cope. Find a training club or school, read a training book, change your expectations, and try to build a bond with the animal that will keep it in your home.
• If you bought Sunny from a breeder, call him and tell him your plight. Many breeders will take back a dog they produced or will have a list of people looking for an adult dog from their breeding program.
• If your dog is purebred, contact the breed rescue. Use the list in Dog Owner's Guide or contact the American Kennel Club www.akc.org on the world wide web or the AKC Gazette (212) 696-8390] for the list of rescue contacts it publishes each year. Rescues don't always have room for another dog, but they may have suggestions for solving problems or may know about someone who is looking for a dog like yours.
• If life circumstances change and force you to find a new home for Ranger, use the local pet network to help. Put posters at the veterinarian's office and the pet supply store; ask the groomer and boarding kennel staffs to keep their ears open for a potential new home; and advertise in the newspaper. Call the shelter and ask if they have a referral list for potential adopters who are looking for particular pets.
• Do not advertise “Free to a good home” even if you don't intend to charge an adoption fee. Some people will take a free dog but may not take good care of it. Instead, advertise a cost that will meet veterinary expenses incurred while getting Fido ready for a new home. If you find a potential adopter who just can't afford the price, you can always decrease it, but you can't charge someone if you advertise the dog as free.
• Make sure Murphey is up-to-date on vaccinations, is spayed or neutered, and is free of parasites before placement in a new home. If the new owner will use a different veterinarian, make sure to include a copy of Murphey's health records in an adoption packet.
  

Good Reason or Bad Reason?

There are circumstances when a dog must leave its life-long home: when an owner becomes physically unable to care for a dog or the owner is terminally ill; when a dog has shown unprovoked aggression. These are "GOOD" reasons. Although the aggression factor may indicate the dog is UN-Adoptable.

" BAD" reasons are: the dog won't listen; we can't housetrain the dog; the dog chews; we're moving and can't have a dog anymore; no one takes care of the dog but me; the dog is alone too much; the dog growled/snapped at my child/me. Behavior Solutions

The Animal Shelter Inc. is a private no-kill shelter which does NOT have a time limit on how long an animal can stay and DOES NOT have an age or breed restriction. The shelter will continue to house and care for such animals as long as they are NOT AGGRESSIVE, TERMINALLY ILL OR DESTRUCTIVE IN THE KENNEL.

Please consider that if you have a vicious, fear biting, territorial, aggressive animal that's not good with children, we will not be able to place this pet, as it is a liability. If you are planning to surrender your animal due to aggression problems remember YOU are ultimately liable if that pet bites or hurts anyone. Please do not expect ANY shelter or rescue organization to place a pet that is aggressive or has serious behavioral issues. Be honest with whomever you are trying to get to place your pet. Massachusetts has a VICIOUS DOG LAW stating that if YOUR dog has bitten and broke skin and YOU knowingly adopt, give away, place, surrender or transfer ownership of that dog...YOU are ultimately LIABLE for any damage that dog does to another person. This means you may be sued!!!

You must also understand - you will pay to bring your animal to our shelter. Many people seem to be under the misconception that things related to an animal shelter are free. The cost to maintain an animal shelter is incredible. The shelter must pay for food, vet bills, rent, insurance, medication, heat, electric, phone, website, advertising, staff, and hundreds of other things that all businesses have to pay for. (Our average monthly cost to run the shelter is $20,000.)

The charge to surrender an animal is trivial compared to the well being of your pet. Please consider spending the money it would cost you to surrender your pet, into obedience and training and then you might not have to give up your pet!

If your pet is showing aggressive behavior you should IMMEDIATELY contact a behaviorist and/or professional trainer in your area. Our shelter also has a full-time, certified trainer ON SITE to help you work with behavioral issues. Please call us - we can help!

Don't give up your pet if he/she has behavior problems! Call our on-site trainer Phil Bolack @ 978-500-0065. Good Dogs School of Obedience

For a Behavioral consult we recommend Dr. Stephanie Schwartz at the VCA South shore in Weymouth @ 781-337-6622. PLEASE remember, if your giving up YOUR pet because of these behavior problems...no one else is going to want to deal with them either. You made a commitment for better or worse, please honor that commitment! Also remember that only 1 dog in 10 has a home for life and 1 cat in 8. Guess what happens to the rest of them??? For more help on behavioral problems please check out these links.

www.DrLarrypetvet.com or www.dr-cookie.com

AND - There really is NO such thing as a bad pet - just a bad owner. A dog or cat takes their cues from their owners. If you let your pet climb on the couch, scratch up your furniture, chew up shoes and bark incessantly...this is NOT the fault of your pet.

My Insurance Company is Making ME Give up My DOG!

Have you heard this before? Many insurance companies DO or WILL cancel a homeowners policy for owning what the consider an "aggressive breed". BUT NO ONE HAS TO GIVE UP THEIR DOG! There is a solution...in Massachusetts its called The Fair Plan. The FAIR Plan will cover all breeds of dogs.

This plan will EVEN cover dogs that have bitten, the owners could still obtain coverage through the FAIR Plan, but the policy would exclude any future claims involving that particular dog.

All agents in good standing in Massachusetts can access this program for their insureds. The coverage is a little more costly, and some agents choose not to use this plan because of the time and reduced commission income.

The Fair Plan is a group of insurance companies that underwrite and insure "hard to place" homeowners, renters and other property insurance policies. Independent insurance agents are able to represent many different insurance companies and shop these companies to find the best possible coverage and price for their clients. If a client is not happy with his company or agent, he should shop around to find a better situation.

In closing, remember that insurance companies do not want to turn away a profitable account.

For further information and before you even consider surrendering YOUR dog...please contact

Dale Coparanis at Generations Insurance 888-960-3722 OR 603-237-9655.

OR

FARM FAMILY LIFE & CASUALTY INS. CO.
88C Main St.
Northboro, MA. 01532
Tel: 508 393-9327
Fax: 508-393-0001
Insurance of all kinds.

OR

Edward A. Grazul Insurance Agency, Inc. PO Box 337,
Marston Mills, MA 02648, 508-477-0111 grazulins@aol.com

The state's FAIR (Fair Access to Insurance Requirements) Plan, operated by the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association, can be reached at:
Two Center Plaza,
Boston, MA 02108-1904
(617) 723-3800 or 800-392-6108 (MA only), and at www.mpiua.com.

The MSPCA advocates on the state and local level to prevent enacting policies, laws, and ordinances that target specific breeds. For information on how to become involved in this and other issues, contact the MSPCA Advocacy Department at (617) 522-7400.

The Insurance Information Institute warns about getting a dog for the purpose of guarding your home, saying that alarm systems prove to be more reliable theft deterrents. For more information on dog bite liability call (202) 833-1580 or log onto http://www.iii.org/individuals/homei/tips/dogbiteliability/

Please see many resources, articles and informational literature below:

FIRST Contact Your Breeder

Information on Surrendering your pet - the last resort

Finding a home - Written for dogs, but applies to all animals

How To Find a Pet a Loving Home With a Responsible Owner

How to Place Your Own Dog

Guidelines for Finding a Responsible Home for a Pet

When You Decide to Give Up Your Pet - a .pdf format

How to Find and Evaluate a Potential Adopter

How to Place Pets

The Tragedy of "Free to a good home" Ads

Herbeck Case - About a man now serving time, having abused Free to a Good Home animals

From Leash to Laboratory

Pets in Research

Animals in Research - Pound Seizure

Surrendering your pet to a shelter vs Euthanasia

If you do give up your pet, please, consider it VERY seriously and carefully before ever getting another one. Make very sure that what caused you to consider give up this pet will never, ever, EVER happen again. When you took in this pet, you took responsibility for a living thing, much like having a child. You may have not been ready for it to begin with, and you are not alone. It's a responsibility seriously underestimated by most of the general public - and shelter statistics bear that out.

Please use our automated phone system to answer your questions as staff is extremely limited and we don't always have time to answer the phones. Email us at: staff@sterlingshelter.org.

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