Welcome to our Website!

Click on the page tabs above for more information about the High Plateau Humane Society's programs and services, read a little about our volunteer board and managers, find information about available dogs and cats, dog training tips, and even some great dog and cat food recipes! If you have any questions for us, please email Jenn at HPHS@Ymail.com. :)

REHOMING YOUR PET


Sometimes we find our selves in the terrible position of needing to re-home our pet.  It is a sad task, but it might be the best thing for your pet if you no longer have the time or place to care for him or her.  When you need to rehome, here are some tips and helpful sites.

USE FACEBOOK!

FIRST: Take some great photos of your dog or cat and post them on Facebook.  Both dogs and cats can be posted on "Modoc Classified" and  "Furbabies", you can also post your dog on "Modoc Dogs - Lost, Found and Available".  These are free sites that are not only seen locally, but also are shared far and wide.  Just be sure your pictures show your pet as friendly and fun, and be sure to charge a "rehoming fee"  or require adopters to donate to the High Plateau Humane Society or some other non-profit.  People value what they pay for, so DO NOT GIVE YOUR PET AWAY unless you know the adopter well. 

 USE ADOPT-A-PET!

Adopt-a-pet is a great website where you can post your pet for free and get a lot of exposure outside the area, as well as inside Modoc County.

Here is the link to Adopt-A-Pet's free service that gets your pets picture out nationwide!



Everything you need is there.  However, remember that there are people out there who collect animals for bad purposes.  Do not let your pet fall into their hands.  You can prevent this by:

1. Charging a fee for adoption (this is automatic if you use AdoptAPet).  The "bad guys" want free pets.  They don't want to put up any money,  and they will tell you all kinds of tales about how nicely they are going to treat your pet and what a great life it will have.  Don't believe them!  People value what they pay for! 
 
 
2.  Meeting the adopters.  Have adopters come to your house to see your pet, or, better yet, take the pet to them.  Make sure they will let your dog or cat in the house to be part of the family and ask them about their experience with your type of pet. Meet the whole family if you can!  Make sure  your pet will have a loving home, and it will make your parting easier.  If you get a bad feeling about the potential adopter, TRUST THAT!  Don't leave your pet with someone you don't like.
3.  Visiting the adopter's home.   You would be surprised how many people lie about their home situation.  Their idea of a "fenced yard" can be your idea of a chicken coop.  Be sure.  Take your pet to its new home yourself, and be prepared to give them back the adoption fee and take your pet home.  People that know you are going to want to drop the pet off to them will be more likely to tell you the truth to begin with.  

NO TIME?

Really think about this one.  Isn't your pet worth finding the time?  Although it is possible to surrender your dog to the local City or County shelter (they don't take cats in Modoc County), it is a very scary experience for your pet, and there is a good chance they will be put down.  Our local shelters do not offer an adoption program, and surrendered dogs can be euthanized the same day you surrender them.
 
Still, rather than giving your pet away to just anyone, s/he might be better off being surrendered to a shelter or breed specific rescue if you can find one.  That way, your pet will at least get a chance to be evaluated for adoption, and be put down humanely if they cannot  be adopted out.  
 
So, if your pet is a friendly adoptable dog that has not bitten anyone or killed other pets or livestock (not counting chickens or rodents), or if they are a friendly adoptable cat, I recommend you surrender him or her to one of the following groups.  Call them to be sure they can take your pet before driving there:
 
  • Humane Society of Central Oregon in Bend, OR, (541-382-3537) 
  • BrightSide Animal Center in Redmond, OR  (541-923-0882)
  • Tahoe/Truckie Humane Society (530-587-5948) located at 10961 Stevens Lane, Truckee, CA
 
BREED SPECIFIC DOG RESCUES:  You can also Google the breed of your dog and see if you can find a breed specific rescue that will take him or her. These rescues are usually fairly small and may not be able to take your dog right away, but they are dedicated to their breeds and may be the best choice for purebred dogs. Here are  a few we have worked with...
  • HUNAH, Herding Dog Rescue in Bend, Oregon
  • NORCAL Golden Retriever Rescue, Amber Moore, Outreach, 530-356-2654, norcalgoldenlovers@yahoo.com
  • NORCAL Sled Dog Rescue, Gail de Rita, 510-676-2215 
  • Sierra Pacific Great Pyrenees Rescue, Granite Bay, CA,  916-791-7580
You may not have to pay a fee to surrender them to these organizations if you can't afford to, but I am sure they would appreciate a donation when you take them there.  Shelters will give your pet the shots they need (be sure to take their medical record with them so they don't get vaccinated unnecessarily), neuter or spay them, and find them homes.  You can also asked to be called to come pick the pet back up if there is any problem placing him or her for any reason. 
 

AGGRESSIVE DOGS - DO THE RIGHT THING

If you have a dog that is truly aggressive to people or other dogs, then please do not pass them on to another organization where someone may get hurt before they discover this.  A dog that has attacked a human and drawn blood, or attacked and caused serious damage to another dog without good reason, should be put down rather than re-homed.  This is also true if they are dedicated to killing cats, not just chasing them.  There are a lot of pet cats out there and it would be tragic for your dog to get out and kill someone's beloved cat while its new owner watched in horror.  This procedure is less frightening for your dog if it is done by a vet they are familiar with.  Don't leave this task to a stranger. Do what is right for your dog, not easiest for you.  The High Plateau Humane Society sells low cost euthanasia certificates to ensure that all dogs have access to humane euthanasia.   
 

WHAT ABOUT THE HIGH PLATEAU HUMANE SOCIETY (HPHS)?

 You are welcome to contact the Second Chance Thrift Store about surrendering your healthy, friendly cat or kitten, but HPHS no longer takes owner-surrendered dogs due to a shortage of Foster Homes. 

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