10/28/2025
SOME CONTEXT TO FURTHER EXPLAIN THIS DECISION:
Rocky was adopted 6 months ago. As I have said in our other post, we were given absolutely ZERO warning about him no longer being a right fit for their family. They showed up, said they didn't want him, refused to try training, and left. We only have 6 kennels in the building, and were already at capacity with a dog temporarily living in our office. We do not pull dogs when we don't have space for them, so I'm sure you can imagine the immense stress we were under when a dog gets returned without any opportunity to plan for finding placement. When we saw the condition Rocky was in, we were incredibly thankful that we had him back. He was a perfect angel for his flee bath, took his medicine like a champ, and is learning crate training rather quickly! This, however, does not take away from the absolute nightmare it was to try and figure out where we were going to keep him. Had we known merely a Day earlier, we would have not pulled the litter of puppies we got in order to make sure he had a kennel.
We are not making this decision to punish or shame people who can no longer care for their animals! Karma's former family let us know immediately when they could no longer keep her. We had three months to find placement, and in the end it was best for her to come back to the building. Deciding to surrender a pet is a difficult decision, and we are deeply appreciative of anyone who makes that tough decision in order to provide a better life for their pet.
We have had an influx of people wanting to surrender dogs they have adopted from us with no warning. We are incredibly up front about our dogs' histories and behaviors. We will not lie to you. All that will cause is an animal returned and your lost trust in us. The PROBLEM, my fellow dog lovers, is people are wanting to surrender dogs to us for things like: not being potty trained, chewing on furniture, jumping up for attention, etc. These are all things that could easily be curbed with training. All of our adopters get the information for two different dog trainers that work in LaGrange. Both trainers have agreed to do discounts for new owners that get rescue dogs.
We already offer foster to adopt. I am constantly trying to get my hands on crates so we can loan them to our adopters and fosters. The entire reason we are making this new rule is to prevent people from impulsively getting a dog, and then showing up a week later because the dog hasn't figured out potty training yet. When a dog gets adopted, we fill the kennel. We usually have the dogs we are going to pull picked out far in advance, so the likelihood of us having an empty kennel to take back a dog we already adopted out is slim to none of we are not made aware far in advance that it's not working out. Thats why we beg everyone to try training first. If it works out, the dog doesn't have to come back. If it doesn't, we will have had enough time to get something arranged so the dog has a place to go.
Anyone who has adopted from us in the past has signed the return policy contract, where we explicitly state that we will most likely ask you to hold onto the dog for a period of time while we find new placement. We have NEVER allowed people to just drop a dog off to us because they don't want them anymore. It's in the contract adopters sign when they get the dog. We are not an open intake facility, no ifs ands or buts. This new rule is explicitly so people will have to seriously think if they're going to be willing to go through the effort of training their new dog. No more "Well if it doesn't work out I can just bring them back immediately." You actually have to try for 3 weeks to make the placement work and attempt training before you can give up on a living breathing creature who has, most likely, never lived in a home before.
Don't like the new rule? Be the change that allows us to take our former adopted dogs back immediately. Become a foster! The process is super simple: we do a home inspection and as long as it's a good fit, we leave the dog with you! Consider donating so we could actually pay for the training so adopters that are struggling can have that taken off of their backs! Donate crates so adopters and fosters can crate train the dogs they have!
Until we have enough reliable and dedicated fosters so that we don't have to worry about where to put dogs if someone returns one, this is the new rule. Most of you have been incredibly understanding and kind, and I believe whole heartedly the rest of you just want what's in the best interest of the dogs. The problem is this: if our kennels are full and no one is willing to house the dogs, there aren't exactly many places left for them to go.
(Original post below)
I cannot believe we are at this point, but we have to update our return policy.
From now on, all adopters must keep the dog for at least 3 weeks before attempting a return. This will give the dog a chance to fully get used to the new routine and schedule. On top of that, all adopters must show proof that they've worked with a professional dog trainer to try and work out any behavioral issues that could potentially be solved with a little bit of effort (ie. Crate training, potty training, etc).
We're calling it the Rocky Clause.
A perfectly healthy fully vetted dog was returned without notice, with a flea infestation, and showing signs that he may have been potentially hit. Never again. If you cannot commit to a everything a dog may potentially need, you do not deserve one of ours.
EDIT TO ADD JUST FOR ANY CONFUSION WE MIGHT HAVE ACCIDENTALLY CAUSED: We are the Humane Society, not the City of Lagrange Animal Shelter. We are a dog only rescue that is a closed intake facility. This change in policy only applies to dogs adopted out from us, and not the City shelter. Sorry if we confused anyone!!
