We are open 7 days a week from 11am to 4pm for meet and greets and tours
Ideally, all adopted animals live in one loving home from infancy until death. Realistically, however, this isn’t always possible. People become ill, die, divorce, move overseas, develop allergies, lose their jobs, lose their homes, etc. Any of these situations, among others, can be a reason for an animal coming into rescue.
If you feel you are in a situation where you need to surrender your animal, the information on this page will help you with the process of owner surrender. Lola's Rescue currently supports Colorado. If you are outside of our area you will need to contact your local Rescue or Shelter.
Lola's Rescue does not guarantee the acceptance of every owner surrender into Rescue. During the initial interview, our Intake Director will evaluate your situation to determine whether to proceed to the next step in the surrender process.
If you can answer “YES” to any of the questions below, please take the time to explore those options
Did you acquire your pet from a breeder?
- If so, have you contacted that person? If he or she is at all reputable, you would have signed a contract at the time you purchased your pet, stipulating that the pet should be returned if you decide to no longer keep them. Please contact your breeder first before contacting Lola's Rescue.
Did you acquire your pet from a Rescue Organization?
- If so, have you contacted that rescue organization? If they are reputable, you would have signed a contract at the time you adopted your dog, stipulating that they must be contacted prior to rehoming your pet if you decide to no longer keep him or her for any reason. Most reputable rescues will retain a legal first right of refusal to take their pets back.
New baby in the family?
- How lucky for you that most dogs are fantastic family pets! If you can take care of your new little human baby, you can take care of a dog. Some of our educational materials are listed below to help you ease the transition:
Moving?
- There are plenty of apartments, townhouses, condos and hotels that accept medium and large breeds of dog. Many places will even allow you to spread payment of your pet deposit over multiple months as part of your rent. Here is a list of rentals that allow pets:
Think you don’t have enough time for your dog?
- Experts in the animal field agree that a dog requires a mere 15 minutes of one-on-one time with his master per day, to be happy, healthy, and well-adjusted! That could be simply spent laying in bed at night watching TV together, playing ball in the backyard for 15 minutes while dinner is cooking, or going for a walk or jog! Surely you can spare 15 minutes per day. Pets reduce personal stress and can add years to your life – make the time for you AND your dog.
Are there behavioral issues?
- Is your dog having trouble getting along with other animals in the household or are there other behavioral issues that have led to the decision to give up your dog? If so, let us help you! Visit our Pet Owner Resources page for recommendations on local behaviorists that can help your pet overcome 99% of behavioral concerns! If you didn’t socialize your dog as a puppy, it’s never too late to enroll him in obedience school. It’s fun and can count as your 15 minutes of bonding time!
Experiencing financial issues?
- The following groups exist to assist people who truly want to keep their pets, but are experiencing financial difficulties. They may be able to help you.
- A credit card company for health care:
- Help owners that need urgent veterinary care, emergency vet visits or expensive surgery:
- Pet Food stamps Aid for Struggling Owners
Things to know before requesting to surrender your unwanted pet to Lola's Rescue
Your unwanted pet is not a donation.
There is NEVER a shortage of unwanted animals in our area. High-kill shelters are overflowing with dogs, cats, puppies and kittens of all ages, sizes and breeds. This includes purebred pets. Lola's gives priority to animals that are in those shelters and other immediate life-threatening situations. Owner surrenders are accepted only when space is available.
It is YOUR responsibility to care for your old, dying pet in their final days.
Rescues are not free clinics for elderly or sick or injured dogs and cats. We barely get by as it is. Vet care is part of pet ownership, just as pediatric care is part of parenting. If your pet is old and suffering, please, end that suffering. Yes, it is hard to do, but you have to look at the quality of the pet’s life. If they can no longer get around on their own, they are not enjoying their life. They deserve to have you, their family, be there at the end. They do not deserve to be handed over to strangers for their confusing last weeks/days of life. Please, do the right thing and take responsibility for your furry family member and euthanize them with dignity.
If your pet is accepted into Lola's program
You will lose all legal rights to your unwanted pet. You will not be able to visit, receive updates, or have any decision-making power in your pet’s future care and arrangements. If PRAR agrees to accept your pet into our program, you must complete an Owner Surrender Form that severs all ties between you and your unwanted pet.
Your unwanted dog must be social and non-aggressive with people and other pets.
It would be nice if we had a magic wand to wave and make every dog non-reactive. Unfortunately, no such wand exists, and sometimes, bad genes, poor training, or lack of socialization combine to create an unpredictable dog who will bite. Certainly, not all dogs that bite once are vicious, but don’t endanger others by not taking responsibility for your own dog.
If your unwanted pet is not already “fixed.”
A monetary donation is requested (but not required) to help offset the cost of your pet’s needed vet care. While every dog we adopt out is spayed/neutered, microchipped, and current on vaccines, we are a non-profit group that cannot pay for all of your unwanted pet’s needs without your help. We request that you make a donation to cover the spay/neuter expense and/or the cost to make vetting current. If you are unable to meet these requirements, please explain your situation in your surrender form. Lola's Board of Directors will consider your circumstances. If any questions are left unanswered, it will prolong the review process. If we have any further questions, we will contact you by phone or by email.
Even though Lola's is an all-breed rescue, we cannot accept all breeds at all times. If Lola's is unable to take your pet into our program, visit Petfinder.com for the contact info of other local rescues or email us again in a few months.
If you still want to find your pet a new home, please complete the Animal Surrender Request Form below with as much detail as possible.
*Requests submitted without detailed information or photos will not be considered.
Lola's Pet Surrender Request Form
To begin the surrender process please fill out our form. Once we receive it, we will get in touch with you.
If your animal is accepted into our program, they will be placed in a carefully screened foster home for whatever length of time is necessary to assess his/her medical, behavioral and social needs. We will then re-home them with a family that has also been carefully screened.
You should be aware that older animals and animals with medical problems may take longer to place. These animals are given the best care possible to make them feel comfortable while they await their new homes. Animals that are surrendered together will not be placed in a foster home together as the likelihood of them being adopted together is small.
While in foster care, we spend time assessing the animal prior to their arrival through our intake process. This is where we learn about the animal’s likes and dislikes, and personality. By being as honest as possible with us, you can help us place the animal successfully. It is vitally important that we have a complete medical history on the animal.