It is the Senior Dog Sanctuary of Maryland’s policy to attempt to place each of our rescued animals in a home that is well- suited to their needs. We work hard at matching our animals to adopters, so they may end their search for a loving, permanent home.
When surrendering your dog to us, your dog will join the other dogs in the Sanctuary or possibly in a foster home based on availability and length of stay at SDS. Please read the process below carefully and fill out a form if you are ready to surrender your dog.
Step #1 - The Owner Surrender Application
The Owner Surrender Application should be completed online. The Owner Surrender Application must be filled out completely including the vet contact and providing as much information you can about your dog. If upon preliminary review, the dog appears to be a possible fit, we will request that you send us any vet records you have for your pup. Vet care is not required for acceptance into the program, but appreciated. Your application will be reviewed by the Intake Committee and then you will be contacted via email or phone.
Step #2 - The Assessment
If the Intake Committee has decided to move forward with your application, the Sanctuary will set up an assessment with the owner. The assessment will be scheduled at SDS between the hours of 10am and 3 pm, Thursday - Sunday. The assessment will take about 10-15 min to learn more about the dog’s temperament and ability to be around other dogs. Based on your vet records, you may be asked to complete additional medical testing.
Step #3 – Approval for Placement
All of the documentation is submitted to the Intake Committee for review. Once a decision is made by the Intake Committee to accept your dog, arrangements will be made for you to bring the dog to SDS. This placement will depend on kennel availability. Our kennels become available when dogs are adopted or placed in a foster home, so we will try to give you the best estimate of intake date when the dog has been approved.
Step #4 – Surrendering to SDS
SDS does not require a donation for surrendering a dog, but any assistance you would be able to provide would be appreciated. On average, we spend $3,000 for each dog in our care. When bringing your dog to SDS, please bring any bedding or toys the dog would like to keep with them. We also ask you to bring some of the food they are eating to ease the transition to our food without stomach upset. We will do our best to find your dog a safe, loving home. Although we will not update you on your dog’s status at SDS, you can watch our Facebook page for a post about them being adopted.
When surrendering your dog to us, your dog will join the other dogs in the Sanctuary or possibly in a foster home based on availability and length of stay at SDS. Please read the process below carefully and fill out a form if you are ready to surrender your dog.
Step #1 - The Owner Surrender Application
The Owner Surrender Application should be completed online. The Owner Surrender Application must be filled out completely including the vet contact and providing as much information you can about your dog. If upon preliminary review, the dog appears to be a possible fit, we will request that you send us any vet records you have for your pup. Vet care is not required for acceptance into the program, but appreciated. Your application will be reviewed by the Intake Committee and then you will be contacted via email or phone.
Step #2 - The Assessment
If the Intake Committee has decided to move forward with your application, the Sanctuary will set up an assessment with the owner. The assessment will be scheduled at SDS between the hours of 10am and 3 pm, Thursday - Sunday. The assessment will take about 10-15 min to learn more about the dog’s temperament and ability to be around other dogs. Based on your vet records, you may be asked to complete additional medical testing.
Step #3 – Approval for Placement
All of the documentation is submitted to the Intake Committee for review. Once a decision is made by the Intake Committee to accept your dog, arrangements will be made for you to bring the dog to SDS. This placement will depend on kennel availability. Our kennels become available when dogs are adopted or placed in a foster home, so we will try to give you the best estimate of intake date when the dog has been approved.
Step #4 – Surrendering to SDS
SDS does not require a donation for surrendering a dog, but any assistance you would be able to provide would be appreciated. On average, we spend $3,000 for each dog in our care. When bringing your dog to SDS, please bring any bedding or toys the dog would like to keep with them. We also ask you to bring some of the food they are eating to ease the transition to our food without stomach upset. We will do our best to find your dog a safe, loving home. Although we will not update you on your dog’s status at SDS, you can watch our Facebook page for a post about them being adopted.