by Adopt a Pet, | January 11, 2024
Humane Societies keep Great Danes and other dogs for five to seven days in most cases. However, there can be exceptions to this rule depending on a range of factors including the location of the shelter, and local laws. Different states will have different rules. Additionally, some shelters will hold animals that have been brought in as strays longer than dogs that were surrendered. This is to ensure that the owner has time to find their dog.
If you find that you need to surrender your Great Dane to the Humane Society or another animal shelter, you’ll want to make sure that you check their hold period first. Always take time to learn about the policies of the shelter and what happens to your dog once he’s in the shelter.
The first thing to do is to check the shelter’s site to learn more about it, including its location. You can then contact the shelter to speak with someone on staff. They’ll likely want to know more about your dog including his temperament, health, age, etc. They might also want to know why you have to surrender your dog. They ask this question because they’ll often have resources or at least links to resources that could help.
For example, they may have contact information for a trainer if your dog has behavior problems. They may know of some low-cost vet services available in the area. The goal is to provide the best outcome for the dog, and sometimes that means finding a way to stay with you.
Of course, not everyone can keep their dog. Some circumstances are beyond your control. In those cases, they can set up an appointment, let you know what you need to do to surrender your dog, and inform you of the fees. When surrendering at a shelter, or a rescue, there will usually be surrender fees that could range from $50 and up.
Keep in mind that after he goes to the shelter, they’ll try to find someone to adopt him. However, it’s not guaranteed. Since they can only keep your dog for a certain period, there’s a chance that he could be euthanized. It’s not something the shelters want to do, but often, they have no other choice.
If you don’t want to surrender him to a shelter, you could always try rehoming him on your own. Talk with people you know to see if they might be interested in adopting first, as long as they can care for your dog properly.
Another option would to be use an online pet adoption platform like Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com. Rehome is a peer-to-peer solution from Adopt-a-Pet.com that helps you quickly and easily find potential adopters for your dog. You can create a profile for your dog with a bio, photos, and videos. People can apply to adopt, and you can determine which of the potential adopters will be the best choice for your Great Dane. This gives you more control over who gets your dog.