Before Requesting a Surrender
Before beginning the surrender process, there are two important things to be aware of: legal ownership and foster availability.
To surrender a dog to Thistle Paws Rescue, you must either:
If ownership is shared, all owners must provide consent. We cannot proceed without written confirmation of ownership or permission.
Health Requirements Before Surrender
To ensure the safety of our foster homes and other dogs in our care, dogs must:
Be neutered (if old enough), unless there is a medical exemption supported by a vet
Have vaccinations up to date
If your dog is not neutered or vaccinated, we may still be able to help, but this will depend on foster availability and the dog’s circumstances. Additional arrangements may be discussed on a case‑by‑case basis.
We can only take in a dog when we have a suitable foster home available. This allows us to provide the right level of care, safety, and stability from the moment the dog arrives.
We understand circumstances change, and we aim to help wherever we reasonably can - but we must operate safely and within our foster capacity.
When you contact us about surrendering a dog, we will first check whether we have an appropriate foster placement. If not, we will:
Offer advice or temporary alternatives where possible
Place your dog on our waiting list
Keep you updated on expected availability
There is no judgement and no pressure - only honesty and transparency about what we can safely manage.