Surrendering Your Frenchie

French Bulldogs come into FBRN from many different sources: commercial breeding kennels, import brokers, public shelters, private rescue groups, or Good Samaritans trying to save the life of a stray. However, most of our French Bulldogs are owner surrenders, turned over by owners who can no longer keep them. Whatever the reasons, we do not question or criticize your motives for giving up your French Bulldog. We are here to help.

Life has thrown you a curve ball and you must surrender your French Bulldog - what now?

When you are ready, contact a volunteer in your region. Don't be embarrassed and don't hesitate to make that first contact. Surrendering your pet can be a difficult decision to make, and we respect that. We will not pressure you to keep your dog OR to give up your dog. We will answer questions you might have that might help you to make an informed decision. We will ONLY take custody of your French Bulldog IF and WHEN you are ready.

We will need to know the following: Why are you surrendering the dog? Is the dog up-to-date on vaccinations and heartworm preventative? Is the dog spayed or neutered? Has the dog ever bitten anyone? Does the dog have any health problems? Is he currently being treated for them?

Once we have accepted your Frenchie into FBRN, we may need a few days to determine the best foster home and to arrange transportation. If the situation is critical, please let us know. We may ask you to meet one of our volunteers for the surrender, or we may send them to your home.

You will need to sign an owner surrender form, which states you have legal ownership of the dog, and which transfers those legal rights (and obligations) to FBRN. The following items, if available, should be brought with the dog: veterinary records, rabies tag and certificate, microchip information if your pet is chipped, a favorite toy or bone, bed and crate, collar and leash, any medication the dog is currently taking, including heartworm and flea preventative, AKC paperwork and registration.

After being taken into FBRN custody, your French Bulldog will spend a minimum of seven days in foster care as an evaluation period, and we may contact you during this period for more information. After the evaluation period, he will either become available for adoption, or begin receiving the long term veterinary care, training, or any other rehabilitation he may need in order to be adopted.

What if you decide you want your Frenchie back? You may have him back if he has not already been listed on the Available page or has been adopted, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, and if you pay FBRN's out of pocket expenses for his veterinary bills and any other costs he may have incurred while in foster care (such as vet bills, kenneling, training or behavioral consultations); and if there is no compelling reason why he should not go back.

By compelling, we mean compelling at the time of surrender, e.g., animal bites all over the dog, a prominent ribcage and backbone from malnourishment, long neglected health or behavior problems, or an evident and pronounced terror of people. Our goal is to provide the best possible home for French Bulldogs in need.

Caring for any dog for any length of time costs money, and while FBRN will take in any Frenchie regardless of the costs associated with that particular Frenchie, we do ask that you make an entirely voluntary contribution to FBRN in any amount you can afford. Our adoption fees do not even begin to cover our costs, so if you must surrender your Frenchie, please donate whatever you can to help.