26/06/2025
Sometimes no matter how careful you are, the adoption doesn’t work. Thankfully, all the rescues we work with ALWAYS take their dogs back and we are happy to transport them back to the South.
We’ve recently received a couple of unpleasant comments from individuals who were denied adoption, criticizing the fact that some of our dogs are returned. While it’s easy to make assumptions from the outside, we want to take a moment to shed light on the reality of rescue work.
The truth is, returns are a normal part of any responsible rescue. Sometimes, despite our best efforts and thorough processes, a placement doesn’t work out. That doesn’t mean we’ve failed. It means we’re here to stand by our dogs no matter what.
We do our due diligence and work hard to place each dog in a home that matches their needs and personality. But once a dog is in a new home, there are always things that can happen that are beyond anyone’s control.
Take, for example, the two little pups that were recently returned because they were ganging up on the adopter’s cat. They hadn’t been cat-tested, and the adopter knew that up-front, but we had no information to indicate that they wouldn't be okay with a cat. The adopter tried to work through the situation with no improvement, and ultimately didn't want to risk the safety of their cat, which we understand.
We also recently had a small dog come back due to severe separation anxiety. It wasn’t something he showed in his foster home, and we had no indication that it would be a problem, but once adopted, it became an issue to the point that his new family was afraid he might hurt himself. Of course, we welcomed him back and made sure his next home had a couple of doggy friends.
Another lady was diagnosed with cancer shortly after she adopted. Facing extensive treatments and an uncertain future, she thought it was best that she return the dog. No one could have predicted that and we absolutely supported her decision.
Returns happen for all sorts of reasons...a dog struggles to adapt, existing pets don't welcome a new furry friend, an owner passes away or goes into a care facility, someone has a medical issue or injury, finances change, or a living situation suddenly isn’t suitable for a pet anymore. The important thing is we always take our dogs back, regardless of the reason or timeline. It doesn’t matter if it’s been six days or six years. We give them a safe place to land. It’s always better that a dog comes back to us than end up in a shelter, with a stranger, or worse. Most people are grateful that we’re committed to our dogs for life, it's a guarantee that their beloved pet has a home, regardless of the curve balls life may throw at them.
At the end of the day, returns are not a reflection of poor decisions. They are a reality of working with living, feeling creatures and the unpredictable lives of the people who love them. What matters is how we respond to those returns, and our commitment is unwavering. We don’t place dogs and walk away. We support them and their adopters for life. If you think rescue is about checking boxes and hoping for the best, you’re missing the bigger picture. We make every decision with the dog’s wellbeing in mind, and we stand by that, always.
