Surrendering a beloved pet is a reluctant and distressing last resort for many people – but sadly, it still happens all too often. In 2018, RSPCA South Australia accepted a whopping 1,440 animals surrendered to our care.

While many of the reasons for these surrenders were beyond the control of owners, that’s an alarming number of furry ones to suddenly find themselves without a home.

Alternatives do exist, so check out our tips on what to do if you find yourself in one of the following situations.

Surrender reason #1: Changes to accommodation – 16.9%

This was the top reason South Aussies surrendered their pets in 2018, representing 16.9% (244) of all animals surrendered to RSPCA SA.

Keeping a pet while renting can certainly be difficult. However – don’t give up hope! You might find that landlords and real estate agents are open to negotiate about allowing animals if you approach them directly.

Here’s what you could do:

• Offer to sign an agreement or pay a deposit and encourage the landlord to meet your well-behaved, well-groomed, and flea-free pet.
• Keeping a “pet-resume” could also be your key to success! Maintain a veterinary history, up-to-date vaccination certificates and a behaviour profile for your pet. This can then be handed to prospective landlords during your application process.
• For more information and tips, head to our pets in rentals page and have a suss of our blog post about this topic.

If you’re moving overseas or interstate and can’t take your pet with you, please consider asking family and friends who already know and love them if they’re able to take over fur-parent duties.

Surrender reason #2: Changes to financial circumstances – 12.2%

With 12.2% (176) of pet surrenders resulting from changes to financial circumstances or an inability to afford current vet bills, it’s important to know that a variety of options are available.

Here’s what you could do:

• Consider VetPay.
• Negotiate a payment plan with your vet. They may be happy to work out a weekly or monthly payment plan so that you don’t have to pay the entire cost up front.
• Purchase pet insurance. While insurance may not help in the current crisis, you should consider purchasing pet health insurance for future medical needs as it can help minimise vet and hospital costs.
• Contact your local food shelter to access pet food or consider generic brand food.
• Consider the smaller expenses in your day that you could do without. Could you substitute your daily coffee purchase, or monthly cable subscription, in favour of covering the costs of keeping your pet?

Surrender reason #3: Animal behavioural problems – 12.2%

Ranging from social problems and anxiety to displays of aggression, animal behavioural problems were another driving force behind surrenders, representing 12.2%, or 176, of all animals given to RSPCA SA in 2018.

Fortunately, behaviour modification programs can often be successful, as can making simple changes to your environment.

Here’s what you could do:

• Contact a force-free trainer for help – we’ve also just launched a force-free dog training school here in Adelaide!
• Increase social time by going for walks.
• Introduce new toys regularly to keep your furry friend stimulated.
• Keep your dog’s active mind entertained by freezing dog treats so they have to work to get them.

Surrender reason #4: Too many animals – 11.7%

This one may come as a surprise, but a substantial 169 animals (11.7%) were surrendered due to their owners having too many pets.

To avoid this, we strongly urge new pet owners to think carefully before deciding to bring an additional animal into their lives.

It is also vital to ensure your animals are all desexed, helping prevent unwanted pregnancies.

Surrender reason #5: Changes of mind – 10.6%

Unfortunately, the number of animals surrendered to RSPCA SA because they were no longer wanted was significant – representing 10.6% of all surrenders, or 152 animals.

Again we strongly urge new pet owners to think carefully before deciding to bring an animal into their lives. Remember – they are living creatures who require a lot of love and care!

Alternatively, the best homes can often be found with people who already know and love your pet, so try asking family and friends before resorting to a surrender.

If you still think surrendering is the only option, here’s what you could do:

• You may apply to surrender your pet to RSPCA South Australia using these forms. Our staff will then contact you to arrange a surrender appointment time.
• To increase your pet’s chances of finding a new home, ensure they are desexed, groomed and vaccinated. If they are purebred, you could try contacting the original breeder.

Surrender reason #6: Deterioration in health of owner – 6.2%

We know that age, illness and disability can make caring for pets difficult – in 2018, 89 animals (6.2%) were surrendered to RSPCA SA due to their owners’ deteriorating health.

Here’s what you could do:

This is where Pet Care Support, or Companion Animal Programs (CAPS), can help.

Run by local councils, these programs provide practical support to people who are struggling to meet all their pet’s needs.

Trained and carefully matched volunteers visit participants in their home to provide a wide range of pet care services including dog walking, grooming, bathing, administration of medication and transportation to vet appointments.

Download the toolkit to help your council get involved.

Surrender reason #7: Changes to availability or ability to care for animal – 4.4%

Sadly, circumstances can change without warning, which can cause significant stress and grief for both owners and pets. In 2018, 4.4% of animals (63) were surrendered to RSPCA SA because of changes to their owners’ availability or ability to care for their animal.

But there are ways to make circumstance changes easier.

Here’s what you could do:

Sometimes, all we need is a little support.

Accessing boarding facilities to gain short-term respite may be an option. At RSPCA South Australia, we do have limited emergency boarding facilities. Please contact us to see if you might be eligible.

Surrender reason #8: Death of owner – 3.4%

Sadly, last year, 49 animals – 3.4% of all surrenders to RSPCA SA – ended up in our shelters due to the death of their owner.

The loss of a loved one can often be just as distressing (not to mention confusing) for animals as it is for humans. If you are unable to take on your loved one’s animal after their passing, know that we are here to ease the burden.

Other reasons for surrendering

The remaining 22.4% (322) of pets were surrendered to RSPCA SA in 2018 for miscellaneous reasons including animals failing to get along with other pets in the household; owners developing allergies to their pet; or animals simply being abandoned by their original owner.

For many surrenders, specific reasons were not given. A significant 142 animals (9.9% of all surrenders) were surrendered with the reason being a vague “owner is unable to keep”.

We know it’s a big decision to part with a beloved companion animal, and we always encourage you to seek help and explore alternatives if you can.

But – if you’ve truly exhausted all your options, surrendering your animal to a trusted animal welfare organisation will give them a second chance at a permanent home, and RSPCA South Australia is here to help.

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