Surrendering Your Dog in Ireland
Deciding to give up a dog is rarely easy. Life changes - a new job, a house move, a change in finances, a health issue, a growing family, or a problem with an existing dog in the home - and sometimes keeping a dog is no longer possible. This guide looks at your options and what to expect if you need to surrender or rehome your dog in Ireland.
You Shouldn't Feel Guilty
People's situations change, and that's not a moral failing. Work, health, housing, and money are often outside your control, and sometimes an existing dog's behaviour or needs mean a second dog in the home isn't fair on either animal. What matters most is making a responsible decision for your dog's welfare. Surrendering to a rescue, a pound, a charity, or selling to a vetted new owner are all far better outcomes than struggling on unsupported, or - the worst outcome for the dog - abandonment.
Your Options
There is no single "right" way to give up a dog. Which option suits you will depend on your dog's age, temperament, and needs, and on how quickly you need to find a solution.
Rescue or Charity
Rescues and charities assess your dog and take on the job of finding and screening a new home. This takes pressure off you, but space is often limited, so there may be a wait.
Local Authority Pound
Every local authority in Ireland operates or contracts a dog pound and can accept a surrendered dog. This is a formal, regulated route, but usually carries the highest surrender fee.
Selling or Rehoming Privately
Finding a new owner yourself, whether for a fee or free to a good home, can be quicker and lets you screen the new owner directly. See our guide to selling your dog for the legal requirements and how to do this responsibly.
Never Abandonment
Abandoning a dog is illegal, dangerous for the dog, and avoidable. Whatever your circumstances, a pound, rescue, charity, or private rehoming will always be a safer and more responsible option.
It Can Take Time
Rescues and charities are frequently full, relying on volunteer foster homes and limited kennel space that comes and goes. It's common to be placed on a waiting list, asked some questions about your dog and your reasons for surrendering, or asked to continue caring for your dog for a while longer until a place becomes available. This isn't a rejection of your dog - it reflects genuine capacity constraints across the rescue sector in Ireland. If your situation is urgent, mention this when you make contact, as some organisations prioritise cases where a dog's welfare is at immediate risk.
Surrender Fees
Most surrender routes charge a fee. This isn't a penalty - it goes towards feeding, vaccinating, microchipping, and caring for dogs while they wait for a new home, and it also helps discourage casual or repeat surrenders.
Example: Dublin City Council
Dublin City Council, which operates the dog pound service for Dublin, can charge a surrender fee of up to €350, depending on the dog and the circumstances of the surrender. Full details, current fees, and the reclaim process are available on Dublin City Council's animal welfare page.
Fees differ between local authorities and between rescues and charities, so it's worth contacting your local authority or preferred rescue directly to confirm current costs before assuming any figure applies to you. If cost is a barrier, some charities offer reduced or waived fees in genuine hardship cases - it's worth asking.
Steps to Rehome a Dog
If you'd rather find a new home directly than surrender to a pound, you have two main routes: rehoming the dog yourself, or asking a rescue to take the dog in.
Option 1: List the Dog Yourself
- List your dog on Dogs.ie - a 30-day ad costs €50
- Write an honest description, including age, temperament, and the reason you're rehoming
- Screen enquiries yourself and meet potential new owners in person
- Have your dog's microchip certificate and vaccination records ready to hand over
See our full guide to selling and rehoming your dog for documentation requirements and screening questions.
Option 2: Contact a Local Rescue
- Reach out to rescues local to you first - travel is often a barrier for foster and adoption capacity
- Ask whether they have kennel or foster space, or whether you'll be added to a waiting list
- Be ready to answer questions about your dog's health, temperament, and history
- Ask about any surrender fee upfront, and whether reduced fees apply in hardship cases
Our adoption guide lists reputable Irish charities and rescue organisations to contact. Note: the ISPCA only accepts dogs in welfare cases, not general public surrenders.
When the Issue Is an Existing Dog
Sometimes the reason for rehoming isn't the dog you're giving up, but conflict or incompatibility with a dog already in your home. Two dogs not settling together, resource guarding, or one dog's needs outweighing what you can safely manage for both, are common and understandable reasons. In these cases it's worth being upfront with the rescue or new owner about the dynamic that led to the decision, so the new home can be a good match and avoid a repeat of the same issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Circumstances change - work, health, finances, housing, and family situations are not always within your control. Surrendering a dog responsibly, through a rescue, charity, pound, or a considered rehoming, is a far better outcome for the dog than struggling on in a situation that isn't working, or abandoning the dog.
Costs vary by organisation. Local authority pounds and dog wardens often charge a surrender fee - Dublin City Council, for example, can charge up to €350 depending on the dog and circumstances. Rescues and charities typically charge lower fees, often in the €50-€200 range, to help cover food, vaccinations, and veterinary care.
Most rescues and charities operate at or near full capacity, relying on foster homes and kennel space that isn't always available. It's common to be added to a waiting list or asked to keep caring for your dog for a short period until a space opens up. This isn't a reflection on your dog - it's simply a resourcing issue.
Both are valid options. Rehoming the dog yourself, for example by listing on Dogs.ie, gives you more control over who the dog goes to and can be quicker. Going through a rescue means they handle the screening and matching process for you, which can take longer but may suit dogs with additional needs.
