Love isn't enough when it comes to pet ownership. Loving a pet takes more than emotion and feelings. It's our humane responsibility in a society we consider civilized to make the choice to permanently take care our pets or make a firm commitment to finding another responsible pet owner to take care of your pet for you. Owning a pet, especially a Shar-pei, can be a rewarding experience, but considering the genetic potentials for health and temperament issues, can also be frustrating. Responsible owners will take the time to research the breed and educate themselves on how to best care, train, and manage their pets. Responsible owners won't give up on the first challenge, nor expect somebody else to resolve issues for them without putting their own time and effort into the problem. Responsible owners will focus on their pet's needs through both good times and bad, and will do whatever it takes to keep their pet happy and safe!! If you call yourself a responsible owner, send us your adoption application today!!!

Be rescue friendly! After you've exhausted all options to keep your pet, we rely on responsible owners to be completely honest and proactive when trying to rehome your old friend. There will never be someone waiting to rescue your dog, so it takes your sincere effort to truly find the right new home for your pet, and we are happy to educate and assist with promoting your rehoming needs. Working together, we need your help to rehome your pet and hope you will take pride and satisfaction in being responsible for your own pet's future welfare by following these placement procedures. To post a free listing on our site, please fill out our online submission form. Spayed/neutered pets only please!

SPAY OR NEUTER YOUR PET! This is a public education notice to the benefits of altering your pet. Having your dog altered is a well documented responsible kindness: it lessens hormonal drives and decreases sexual frustration. It will prevent unwanted litters; may prevent cancer; and will add to the pet quality of your animal. Please do not add to the 60,000+ animals that are euthanized in Virginia each year alone, or the millions of others across the USA!! And this isn't just the old and sick anymore...puppies as young as 6 weeks don't always get the second chance they need to find a loving home either. There are just too many animals in need at the same time!!!

Rescue dogs are not for breeding! All pets should be spayed / neutered prior to adoption, or as soon as the animal is old enough, to prevent any matings! Not only do we ever have enough history or pedigree on rescued pets, but really, most have been through enough already. It's common sense really, when four puppies are born for every one child in our country, we can never resolve the pet overpopulation problem if decisions cannot base on education and beliefs of responsible pet ownership in the first place. If you need financial assistance, please contact your local animal shelter for information regarding low cost spay/neuter programs in your area. Please help "fix" the problem!!!!

Every situation has an ethical solution! Any responsible pet owner knows there simply is no event / complication bad enough that warrants giving up a pet without trying. Plan ahead before you get your pet if there are going to be foreseeable moves or changes to your family that may cause issues concerning your pet. Health problems can be prevented with educated breeding ethics, or at least managed with necessary health care maintenance; temperament problems controlled with professional training and behavior modification techiques. Click here if you are having trouble getting a new pet transistioned into your home.

The final alternative. Despite political controversy, euthanasia is still the most humane solution for unadoptable animals, or those pets whose owners have tried with no success to correct their problems. Even though there may be some new homes that can handle these "special needs" animals, it is a horrible disservice to the average prospective home to manage the unnecessary heartache and devastation of owning such animals, as well as a liability and danger to the general welfare of our communities to release unpredictable animals into private custody, no matter how responsible they are. It's important to maintain balance between welfare of society and deciding the best interest of your pet.

Please visit AKC.org for suggestions to become a more responsible owner.