Animal shelter urgent summer headlines are always predictable because most public shelters experience a spike in voluntary pet surrenders. The euth rate goes up in summer months as shelters fill beyond capacity and the rate of adoption drops.

The photo here is heartbreaking. It shows the absolute fear, confusion, and uncertainty on the face of this adult male Pom Mix dog caged at a public shelter in July 2012.

That dog senses the fear in other dogs as they pull back from being taken to that room down the hall where they somehow know their life will end.

Lifeline Dog Rescue staff track news for a variety of animal rescue topics including animal shelter news. Every day one or more public kill shelters publish urgent headlines about overcrowding.

Others send us daily partner emails. Each has photos and profiles of up to a dozen or more dogs at risk.

At 4 million euthanized per year, 10,000 dogs die every day in the USA. Holding periods get shortened. Some public kill shelters have gone from holding dogs 2 weeks to 1 week to 3 days. Others will put down owner surrender dogs immediately.

Yes, that loyal and trusting family dog you chose to relinquish, signed off their surrender form, and then drove away hoping they would be adopted to a loving family, could be dead before you get home.

A cute puppy purchased at a pet store or from a breeder for Christmas may become a liability in July because owners did not think through a lifetime commitment. On average a new dog will cost $1000 a year every year over their 14-20 year life expectancy depending on the size and their health.

Happy endings require time, energy, and money.

The poor economy makes the overcrowding situation even more critical. A lost job, unexpected expense, or being forced to move may result in a “me or the dog” decision. Suddenly that sweet, loyal, and trusting puppy is a liability. Maybe it’s an older dog with health issues.

The number one reason for surrendering a dog is their family moves.

The peak months that people move in the USA are June, July, and August. Families with school age children want to minimize the disruption in their education, so many will move during summer vacation. For others the weather is a factor.

If moving with children to a smaller home, do you suppose people choose to drop 1 or 2 kids off to an orphanage on their way out of town? Of course not, yet dogs are “family”, too, and your dog deserves consideration for keeping the family intact.

Given no other choice but to surrender your dog, PLEASE consider a non-profit private rescue shelter before taking your dog to the pound. Private rescue groups are likely the best no-kill option. Your dog gets a second chance, and your conscience is more likely to avoid extreme guilt and sleepless nights.

Readers may want to review the Top 10 Reasons for Dog Surrenders in a previous blog post before acquiring a dog. View that list and then ask yourself which if any put you at risk for relinquishing a dog before you decide to bring one into your life.

Responsible pet ownership is the key to reducing the euth rate. Don’t buy. Adopt. Spay or neuter. Think ahead. Share these concepts with others you overhear talking about adding a dog to their family. Reducing pet overpopulation is necessary to minimize the tragic loss of millions of dogs each year.

Click this link for a bigger view of the dog shown, and then look closely at the expression in his eyes. As you gaze into that innocent face, imagine reading his thoughts without shedding a tear.

Dog rescue is an emotional roller coaster ride. We’re happy as dogs are adopted, yet sad as they leave us for their forever home. Tears flow equally, yet most of our tears are shed at night as we cry ourselves to sleep for those lost we cannot save.

You can make a difference towards ending the cycle of animal shelter summer headlines begging for help.

We just received an email with JRT Sonny in forever family photos after our lovable Jack Russell Terrier Mix was adopted last week. Both show Sonny relaxing on the couch with his human sisters in their home on the Treasure Coast of Central Florida.

Sonny is a white with tan marking male Jack Russell Mix dog and 3 years old, and he came to Lifeline Dog Rescue as an owner surrender. His new human family consists of mom and dad, 4 human siblings, plus 2 dogs and 3 cats.

Thank you, Jayme, John and family for sharing your photos and adopting Sonny as the newest family member in your forever home. Happy Tails, Sonny!

Our newly listed male Jack Russell Mix dog Sonny is 3 years old, and will make a calm, happy, and well behaved family companion. Based on size and temperament he would be ideal for either a family or individual including senior citizens.

Sonny is showing off his big brown eyes in the photo here while lounging on his bed. Photographs on his profile show portraits as well as one with him leading a Weimaraner around the large private lake on the Lifeline Dog Rescue property. View the detailed adoption profile of Sonny the Jack Russell Terrier Mix.

Sonny the male Jack Russell Terrier Mix was an owner surrender. He is lovable and loving. Sonny likes to go for car rides, and doesn’t need a second invitation to sit in your lap.

Keep in mind we have a wide network with other rescues if you do not see your ideal dog for adoption with the exact breed, age, and gender you want. Visit our online form to complete just the fields necessary to describe what you are looking for on our Rescue Dog Adoption Request Form, and we’ll see what we can do for you.

All dogs ready for adoption from Lifeline Dog Rescue are spayed or neutered and up to date on shots.

Lifeline Dog Rescue is pleased to announce a new listing for Leila, a female 4 year old purebred German Shepherd dog to adopt.

Leila moved quickly through evaluation and is spayed and up to date on shots, so she is available immediately.

German Shepherds are known to be family friendly, highly intelligent, and very loyal companions. Leila is no exception, but she is exceptional.

Besides her good looks, excellent health, and perfect behavior, she exhibits a personality that is easy to love.

Leila does not require a crate. She walks on a leash, yet will stay by your side without one. She has obviously been taught to stay off the furniture.

Leila is good with children, cats, other dogs, and even the foster horses kept at Lifeline Dog Rescue.

Leila the 4 year old purebred German Shepherd was an owner surrender due to them losing their job and home. They report she is energetic and requires plenty of exercise, loves going for car rides, and knows sit, stay, down, and heel.

Interested or know of someone looking for a faithful family companion? View the adoption profile of German Shepherd Leila, review the adoption process, and then complete the adoption request dog rescue form and apply to adopt female 4 year old purebred German Shepherd dog Leila.

Four new dogs for adoption have been evaluated and added to the Lifeline Dog Rescue website and are available immediately. Meet Bert the Boxer Mix, plus purebred English Pointers Zippy, Angel, and Flounder. These are well adjusted dogs ready to move into a forever home.

L to R: Bert (male, 8 month old), Zippy (male, 9 years old), Angel, and Flounder (females, 7 years old)

Boxer Mix Rescue Dog for Adoption

Bert was a stray picked up by animal control in South Florida, and later transferred to Lifeline Dog Rescue in response to a social media blitz on his behalf. Bert suffered from mite infestation and kennel cough, and has been in rehabilitation at Lifeline for just under two months since the week before Christmas. He is fully recovered and should be ideal for a family with children, dogs, or cats.

Thanks to all the dog lovers who posted on Facebook and donated through ChipIn for their time, energy, and donations to save Bert from the risks associated with being in a public kill shelter.

Read more on the adoption profile for Bert the 8 month old Boxer Mix.

Purebred English Pointer Rescue Dogs for Adoption

Zippy, Angel, and Flounder are related purebred English Pointer dogs, and arrived at Lifeline Dog Rescue as owner surrenders. Zippy, age 9, is the chocolate and white father of the 2 black and white 7 year old twin sisters Angel and Flounder. We’d like to place the twins as a pair, or all 3 to one family, yet each is available as individuals.

These are happy healthy dogs. As sometimes happens, their human parents divorced and are moving to housing with pet restrictions. Evaluation of all 3 dogs at Lifeline Dog Rescue was brief. They are well behaved beautiful and healthy purebred English Pointers, and will make friendly and loyal companions to their new families.

Please view the profiles of English Pointer female dog Angel and her twin English Pointer female dog Flounder, and their Dad male English Pointer Zippy, too.

Persons interested in these four new dogs should check out our Adoption Request Dog Rescue Form.