In addition, we usually ask for a minimal donation in order to accept dogs into rescue. Remember, we will be paying to feed and provide veterinary care for your dog and a donation will help us be able to do so. If your dog is already spayed or neutered, current on shots, and on heartworm preventative, we will ask for a smaller donation than if your dog is not spayed or neutered, not current on shots, and not on heartworm preventative. It is simply more expensive for us to accept dogs that are not spayed or neutered, not current on shots, and not on heartworm preventative--we must incur the cost of spaying or neutering your dog, providing your dog with vaccinations, and possibly treating your dog for intestinal worms and heartworms.

In order to surrender a dog, you must sign a Release and Surrender Form. This revokes all your rights to the dog. The dog becomes the property of Great Creatures Rescue, Inc. and you will have no say in where the dog is placed.

If we cannot take your dog immediately, we will be happy to help you find your dog a home by providing you with our adoption materials. You may use them as they are or adapt them. We strongly urge you to visit the home your dog will go to in order to ensure it is the best possible home. We will be happy to list your dog on our web site IF and ONLY IF your dog is currently living inside, is housetrained, is already spayed or neutered, is current on vaccinations, and is on heartworm preventative. We CANNOT list your dog if he or she is intact, not current on vaccinations, or not on heartworm preventative. We promise our adoptive homes that the dog they adopt will already have all this done and we cannot list dogs on our website that do not meet our adoptable criteria. In addition, most adopters expect a dog to be housetrained and have a modicum of house manners. We cannot list dogs if we are unsure about their housetraining status and how they behave in a house.

We CANNOT keep your dog "for a while" until you finish building your home, find a new place to live, get your divorce settled, etc. We simply do not have enough foster homes to take all the dogs being put down in shelters. We also cannot afford to feed and provide veterinary care for your dog during this time.

We cannot do long term fosters, as this would mean even more dogs would die.

If your dog has acted aggressively toward people, we will not summarily turn the dog down. We will want to know the circumstances under which the aggression occurred. If we feel the aggression was "justified", we will take the dog (if the aggression was not "justified", we may not take the dog). However, we will have any dog who has exhibited aggressive behavior assessed and if our trainers feel that the dog is aggressive, we will give you the option of taking the dog back. If you do not, we will have the dog put down.

If you tell us you have a Great Dane or Irish Wolfhound in need and the dog is NOT actually a Great Dane or Irish Wolfhound (as deemed by a member of Great Creatures Rescue, Inc.), we reserve the right to refuse to take the dog. If you wish to surrender a dog, you may call and leave a message and someone will return your call. If you wish, you may also call Jackie Wagoner directly at (423)369-3770.

Click here to print our Release and Surrender Form.

Please sign it and either send to us (at the address below) or be prepared to bring it with you when you bring your dog. We CANNOT accept a dog without the Release and Surrender Form.