How Do I Surrender My Beauceron?

Surrendering a pet is never an easy decision. When it comes to letting go of a dedicated and loyal breed such as the Beauceron, the emotions can feel overwhelming. But sometimes circumstances change, and the best thing you can do for your dog is to find them a new, loving home. Read on to learn how to surrender your Beauceron.

Whether it’s due to financial challenges, health concerns, or a mismatch in lifestyle, surrendering your Beauceron is a responsible choice when their well-being is at stake. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to make sure your pup lands in the best possible home.

What does it mean to rehome a dog?

Sarah never expected to face the difficult decision of rehoming her Beauceron, Max. When she first brought him home, she imagined years of companionship and adventure. But over time, her work-life balance made it increasingly hard to keep up with his needs. Max, full of energy and intelligence, needed more physical and mental stimulation than she could give. As much as Sarah loved him, she realized that Max would thrive in a different home.

Rehoming a dog is a tough choice, but for pet parents like Sarah, it can be a compassionate decision. It means finding them a new home if circumstances prevent the current one from being a good fit. This can happen for many reasons: financial constraints, lifestyle mismatches, or unexpected life changes. For a high-energy and protective breed like the Beauceron, a home that understands their unique needs is especially important.

By rehoming Max, Sarah knew she could give him the best chance at a happy, fulfilling life, even if it meant saying goodbye.

Read this related article on Rehome by Adopt a Pet

Rehoming Your Pet?

If you’ve done all you can, it’s important to remember that pets are individuals, and your home might not be the right fit. Try Rehome by Adopt a Pet for a safe way to rehome your pet.

How to rehome your Beauceron

When deciding to rehome your Beauceron, there are a few avenues you can go down to find a new adopter.

Find someone you already know to adopt

One of the safest ways to rehome your Beauceron is by finding someone already in your network of friends, family, or colleagues who is willing to take on this responsibility. Knowing the adopter personally gives you peace of mind that your pup will be cared for by a reputable person who may also be familiar with your dog’s temperament, personality, and needs.

Another benefit of rehoming to someone you know is having the ability to visit your dog in their new home and keep a connection with them — along with providing support or advice to the new owner, if needed. It’s important to have open and honest conversations with potential adopters about the breed’s needs, such as their high energy levels and strong protective instincts. This isn’t a dog for just anyone, and they need to know what’s involved in caring for a Beauceron.

Look into pet adoption sites 

Pet adoption websites can be an excellent option when rehoming your Beauceron, especially if you don’t know anyone personally who can adopt your dog. Platforms such as Rehome by Adopt a Pet offer safe, secure ways to find a loving family, while avoiding the uncertainty that comes with classified ads. 

These platforms typically guide you through creating a detailed profile for your dog, including their personality, medical history, and any behavioral issues. This gives prospective adopters a chance to learn more about your Beauceron before applying.

Surrender at a shelter or animal rescue

If finding someone to adopt your dog through personal connections or adoption sites isn’t an option, surrendering your Beauceron to a breed-specific rescue can be a responsible next step. 

Surrendering to a rescue (such as those affiliated with the American Beauceron Club) increases the chances that your dog will be adopted by someone familiar with the unique characteristics and needs of the breed. These organizations often have connections with potential adopters who are actively looking for a dog like yours and can better assess if they’ll be a good match.

Be mindful when you consider surrendering your dog to a local shelter. Many are already overflowing with pets, and Beaucerons can be difficult to place because they’re often unfairly labeled as “aggressive.” If your pup has any behavioral issues or if shelter space is limited, the dog could risk being euthanized rather than adopted out.

Avoid pet classified sites

While it may be tempting to use a popular classified ad site to rehome your Beauceron quickly, these platforms come with significant risks. Many of these sites don’t offer any vetting process for potential adopters, leaving your dog vulnerable to unsafe or unethical situations.

For instance, some people might pose as well-meaning adopters but are actually looking for dogs to use in harmful activities like dogfighting rings, illegal breeding, or even as bait dogs to train fighting dogs. Even in less extreme cases, you might inadvertently place your Beauceron in a home that’s ill-prepared to meet the breed’s specific needs, leading to further rehoming down the line.

Some red flags to watch for when considering using these types of sites could include:

• Lack of interest in the dog’s history: If a potential adopter doesn’t ask questions about your dog’s personality, health, or behaviors, this can be a sign that they’re not genuinely interested in your pet’s well-being.

• Offers to meet in secluded or non-public locations: Always arrange to meet in a public place or at a shelter or rescue organization as a safety precaution for you and your dog.

• Quick cash offers: If someone offers cash immediately without showing interest in the dog’s specific needs, this could show they have ulterior motives.

• Minimal communication: If the person seems unwilling to communicate clearly, provide references, or answer questions, they may not have good intentions for your dog.

To keep your Beauceron safe, use trusted, reputable sources such as adoption sites or rescues that have proper screening processes in place. This way, potential adopters are properly vetted, and you can have peace of mind that your dog’s long-term safety and happiness are being prioritized.

Do you have to pay to rehome a Beauceron?

In some cases, you might need to pay a fee to surrender your Beauceron to a shelter. These surrender fees help cover the costs of caring for your pet while they wait for adoption. However, most private rescues and rehoming platforms, like Rehome by Adopt a Pet, don’t charge fees to list your dog for adoption.

What is a rehoming fee?

A rehoming fee is a payment requested by the current pet parent to make sure the new adopter is serious about taking on the responsibility of the dog. For Beaucerons, who are an active and highly intelligent breed, a rehoming fee can help screen out anyone who isn’t fully prepared to meet their needs.

Rehoming fees are also important because they lower the chances of your dog falling into the wrong hands. Beaucerons are large and naturally alert, making them popular choices for dog fighting or breeding as protection dogs.

What is a reasonable rehoming fee for a Beauceron?

Rehoming fees can vary based on the dog's breed, age, and health. For a Beauceron, a reasonable fee may range from $100 to $500, depending on the dog’s history, if they’re registered, and if they have any special requirements. 

Should you charge rehoming fees?

If you’re rehoming your Beauceron to a friend or family member, you might feel comfortable waiving the fee. However, when adopting to a stranger, it’s recommended to charge a rehoming fee to make sure they’re serious about giving your dog a safe and loving home.

What about rehoming with pet adoption sites? 

Using a reputable pet adoption site such as Rehome by Adopt a Pet can be one of the best ways to find a new home for your Beauceron. Rehome has a straightforward process that lets you set a rehoming fee, write a detailed description about your dog, and connect with prospective adopters, all while prioritizing your dog’s safety.

Commonly asked questions

Does PetSmart take dogs?

No, PetSmart does not take dogs that you want to surrender. However, many PetSmart locations will partner with local shelters and rescue organizations that may be able to help.

Where can I put a Beauceron up for adoption? 

You can list your Beauceron on a reputable pet adoption site, such as Rehome by Adopt a Pet, or contact breed-specific rescues. Local animal shelters and humane societies might be able to offer assistance, though this should be a last resort.

How do you surrender a dog with a bite history? 

Surrendering a dog with a bite history requires full disclosure to the adopting party or shelter. Some rescues specialize in rehabilitating dogs with behavioral issues, and it’s crucial to be honest about any aggression to make sure your Beauceron is placed in the right hands.

Am I wrong for surrendering my dog?

No, surrendering your dog doesn’t make you a bad person. Sometimes circumstances change, and rehoming may be the best decision for both you and your Beauceron. What’s important is that you’re taking steps to make sure your dog ends up in a safe, loving home where they can thrive.

References

“Before You Give up Your Pet to a Shelter, Know There Are Options.”  Better Together Animal Alliance. Bettertogetheranimalalliance.org, 2024, bettertogetheranimalalliance.org/pet-surrender-options.

“How to Rehome Your Pet.” City of Albuquerque, 2025, www.cabq.gov/pets/education-resources/how-to-rehome-your-pet.

“Information for Dog Surrenders.” Arizona Animal Welfare League, 11 May 2017, aawl.org/content/information-dog-surrenders.

PAWS. “Surrendering Your Pet to PAW.” PAWS, 14 Sept. 2023, www.paws.org/adopt/cant-keep-your-pet/surrendering-your-pet-to-paws. 

‌‌“Rehoming a Pet | Pima County, AZ.” Pima.gov, 2022, www.pima.gov/2310/Rehoming-a-Pet.

‌“Rescue (Owner Surrender) — American Beauceron Club.” Beauce.org, 2024, beauce.org/rescue/rescue-owner-surrender.

“Surrender Your Pet | Yavapai Humane Society.” Yavapai Humane Society, 17 Sept. 2024, yavapaihumane.org/surrender-your-pet. 

‌“Surrender a Pet or Litter ǀ the Animal Foundation.” The Animal Foundation, 2025, animalfoundation.com/get-pet-help/rehome-pet.

“Surrendering a Pet.” Pwcva.gov, 2025, www.pwcva.gov/department/animal-services/surrendering-pet.