The Breaking Point: A Volunteer’s View from OUR Dog Foundation
Every day, we show up — not because we’re paid to, not because we have to, but because we care. We’re the volunteers of OUR Dog Foundation, and right now, we are at breaking point.
Lately, we’ve seen a surge in dog surrenders. The reasons vary — behavioural challenges, changes in lifestyle, unmet expectations — but the underlying message we keep hearing is the same: “It’s not working out.” And suddenly, the responsibility shifts. That dog, who once had a home and a chance, is dropped into our laps with the expectation that we will find the perfect solution, quickly and seamlessly.
But here’s what many people don’t see: we are not magicians. We are volunteers. People with jobs, families, and commitments who give up our evenings, our weekends, our holidays — all to care for dogs that others have given up on. We spend hours assessing new arrivals, coordinating foster placements, and even driving across cities and counties — sometimes in the middle of the night — to pull dogs from emergency situations. We do all this not because it’s easy, but because we believe these dogs deserve a second chance.
What hurts most isn’t the volume — though it’s overwhelming — but the criticism. The impatience. The deadlines. People tell us we’re not moving fast enough, not doing enough, not meeting their expectations. But the reality is: we are doing everything we can, and often more than we should.
When a dog is surrendered, they don’t just need a new home. They need decompression time, behavioural assessments, foster placement (if we’re lucky to find one), and then the slow, careful process of matching them with a family who won’t give up on them again. That’s not something that happens overnight.
We understand that surrendering a dog is emotional. We understand that people may feel guilty, frustrated, or even desperate. But placing pressure on a small team of volunteers who are already stretched thin helps no one — least of all the dogs.
OUR Dog Foundation is at a crossroads. We are desperately trying to keep going, to honour the lives and futures of the dogs in our care. But we need understanding. We need patience. We need people to realise that rescue is not a service — it’s a labour of love, carried on tired shoulders.
So, please. If you’re considering surrendering your dog, do it with responsibility and compassion. If you’re supporting a rescue, show grace and kindness. And if you’ve ever adopted, fostered, or donated — thank you. You are the reason we keep fighting, even when it feels like we can’t anymore.
