Surrender Process
Georgia laws stipulate that rescue organizations can obtain animals in one of three ways:
1) Owner surrender of an animal to a rescue organization
2) Transfer of an animal from animal control to a rescue organization
3) Transfer of an animal from one rescue organization to another rescue organization
You cannot surrender a pug that is not legally yours; if you have found a stray or abandoned pug, please visit: Found Pugs.
Surrendering is defined as the process whereby the legal and rightful owner of a pug signs legal ownership and responsibility of the pug over to Georgia Peach Pug Rescue (GPPR). People choose to surrender their pugs for a number of reasons, and we are here to support you through that decision without judgement. If you decide to surrender your pug to GPPR, here are the steps – what we need from you and what you can expect.
Step 1: Complete the Surrender Application.
You will initiate this process by filling out our Surrender Application with as much honesty and detail as possible. We want to know EVERYTHING about your pug so we can match them with an appropriate foster home. Within the application there are two places where we ask for you to upload materials:
1) We need a clear, quality picture of your pug that we can share with potential foster homes.
2) We want a copy of your pug’s existing vet records. Please note that the absence of convenient access to records does not negate their existence. You might need to call your vet and have them emailed, download them from a portal, or scan in hard copies. In 2025, we spent $68,419 on vet bills, which averaged to approximately $1,160 spent on every pug. If your pug is current on ANY testing or vaccines, it will be a cost-savings for the rescue to fill gaps to reach our GPPR Standard Rescue Intake Vetting. Efforts on your part to obtain veterinarian records is truly appreciated. If you do not have any vet records, your pug will receive the complete GPPR Standard Rescue Intake Vetting.
Step 2: Matching with a Foster Home.
When we receive your application, we will note how urgently you need to surrender your pug. We will review our list of available foster homes to see if we have any that align with your timeline and the pug’s needs. We will communicate our progress via text or email during this step. We will make every effort to accommodate your preferred timeline but are sometimes delayed by a shortage of available foster homes. Please note that all foster homes undergo the following: application submission, personal and veterinary reference checks, bi-annual home inspections, and signing of state-mandated paperwork. To learn more about our foster home requirements, visit: Foster.
Step 3: Transporting the Pug to GPPR.
Once we have identified a willing foster home, we will coordinate getting the pug into GPPR’s possession. Because we are an all-volunteer team and often have limited capacity, you are strongly encouraged to bring your pug to us. However, if you need a volunteer to meet you halfway or pick up the pug from your residence, that can be arranged, but please be aware that the distance and volunteer transport availability might affect adherence to your preferred timeline.
Step 4: Veterinary Intake Exam.
Once the pug is in GPPR’s possession, we are financially responsible for all veterinary expenses. We will schedule an intake exam with our veterinarian where the pug will be medically assessed, tested, and vaccinated (if required). We will immediately treat minor medical issues that can be addressed during the intake appointment. More complex medical issues will require additional veterinary appointments at a later date.
Step 5: Time in Foster.
After the pug has been seen by the veterinarian, they will be taken to their foster home. Foster homes provide love, routine care, and transport to any subsequent veterinary appointments and procedures. All veterinary care, medications, prescription foods, and supplies are paid for by the rescue. After appointments, foster homes will provide medications and post-procedure care. Foster homes will patiently work with pugs on behavioral issues, potty training, and any other specific need to prepare them for adoption. Pugs with complex medical issues are in foster for a longer duration. Once a pug has been medically cleared by our veterinarian, they are ready to be adopted into their forever family.
Step 6: Determining the Path to Adoption.
In Step 2, we are intentional about matching pugs with a foster family and environment suited to their needs. Our goal is to transition the pug as little as possible, due to the stress of the adaptation period (See link: 3-3-3 Rescue Rule). Because of this, if a bond is formed between the pug and the foster family, and both the foster family and GPPR deem the pug to be a good fit, the foster home is given the first option to adopt the pug in their care. If a foster home does not want to proceed with a Foster-to-Adoption, then we will have them fill out a biography that tells everything about the pug, and the pug will be posted on our website and social media for Public Adoption.
Step 7: Administrative Steps to Adoption
Adoption within our organization happens one of two ways:
1) Foster-to-Adoption Path: A foster home has already undergone application submission, personal and veterinary reference checks, bi-annual home inspections, and signing of state-mandated paperwork, so many of the standard adoption administrative tasks have already been completed. Our adoption coordinator reviews all materials, prepares the adoption contract, and collects the adoption fee. As previously mentioned, last year we spent $68,419 on veterinary expenses and medications, averaging $1,160 per pug. We would be unable to continue pug rescue if we did not recoup some of these expenses through adoption fees; the adoption fee paid today saves the life of another pug tomorrow. Foster homes receive $100 off of the adoption fee.
2) Public Adoption: Adoption applications are accepted online for an unspecified duration. The adoption coordinator reviews all applications and selects two to three candidates most closely matching the family and home environment needs of the pug. Once top candidates are identified, the adoption coordinator works with the foster home to make the final selection. The ultimate goal is permanent placement of the pug, so we value the input of the foster home. They have spent the most time with the pug and are best suited to determine nuances that make one candidate a better fit over another. Once a final candidate is identified, personal and veterinary reference checks are completed, and a home inspection and meet-and-greet is planned. If all goes well, our adoption coordinator prepares the adoption contract and collects the adoption fee. As previously mentioned, last year we spent $68,419 on veterinary expenses and medications, averaging $1,160 per pug. We would be unable to continue pug rescue if we did not recoup some of these expenses through adoption fees; the adoption fee paid today saves the life of another pug tomorrow.
Step 8: Celebrate and Share.
Placing a pug with their Forever Family is a reason to celebrate! We gift each adopted pug with a GPPR bandana and adoption sign so that they can pose for a proud picture with their new family. We then place the picture into a celebratory template and share it on social media. The reason for this is three-fold:
1) A team of individuals’ blood, sweat, and tears are behind this adoption, including teams doing intake, transport, veterinary care, fundraising, foster home selection, efforts by the foster home, and adopter selection. It is worth sharing with the world that this pug has been adopted and taking a moment to appreciate that, no matter how cliché, teamwork does, indeed, make the dream work.
2) Sometimes, thousands of dollars have been spent to rehabilitate a pug, the majority of which is donated by our generous supporters and the general public. Our donors deserve to see the positive outcomes from the donation of their hard-earned dollars. Rescue is a team effort, and they played a major role by allowing us to have available funds and made it possible for us to say YES to taking the pug into rescue.
3) We need to showcase the amazing individuals who were intentional about adopting and giving a rescue pug a second chance at life and love. By adopting from us today, they made space available so we can say YES to the next pug in need.