Adoption Returns and Emergencies

Sometimes an adopter might reach out to you with the intent to return their animal. This can be an emotional experience, but there is a process for a return that needs to be followed, as outlined below. Below are the steps for a dog/cat who has been adopted for MORE THAN TWO WEEKS:

1. Connect the adopter with training@gatewaypets.org for an initial consultation to see if there's any type of training intervention we can recommend.

2. If the adopter refuses help or we aren't able to provide any, we'll need to facilitate the return. Dog surrender form- https://www.shelterluv.com/matchme/owner-surrender/GPG/Dog Cat surrender form- https://www.shelterluv.com/matchme/owner-surrender/GPG/Cat

3. Please e-mail placement@gatewaypets.org to let us know if you are taking the foster pet back or if it needs a new foster.

4. Once a foster is found, we need to coordinate the return of the pet.

5. Ask for printed vet records from former adopter, or have their vet email them to vetting@gateaypets.org.

6. All returned animals need to set up a wellness exam at a GPG partner vet.

If the dog/cat has been adopted for LESS than two weeks, please email placement@gatewaypets.org to let us know when the pet is coming back to you. Once the pet is returned to you or the shelter, a refund will be issued to the adopter.

Adopter Emergencies

While we do offer a good deal of medical and behavioral support for adopters we are not a 24/7 emergency operation. So if your adopter is having an emergency please let them know we will get back with them during open hours. We want to make it clear that we try extremely hard to keep people with their pets but once they are adopted they are then the responsibility of the adopters.