For animal lovers, this economic indicator is sadder than reading the latest financial news.

More and more owners of large dogs, mostly purebreds, are surrendering their pets to the Associated Humane Societies Tinton Falls Animal Care Center because their personal financial situations have made caring for the dogs a hardship. Currently, our shelter at 2960 Shafto Road, has two Rhodesian Ridgebacks, three Argentine Dogos, an American Bulldog, a Fila Brasileiro a Bloodhound, a Mastiff and more, all looking for new homes after their owners were forced to give them up.

“It’s heartbreaking to see how every day more and more pets are being separated from the only families they have known because their owners feel they no longer have the means to care for them,” said our Tinton Falls manager, Bruce Sanchez. “The situation becomes even more dire when they are larger dogs that need more room to live, play and thrive, and specialty purebreds who have certain characteristics that may not make them suitable to every person looking for a new pet.”

All of the dogs have been well taken care of and are suitable for adoption. They will all be neutered or spayed before they are adopted and have all been checked and tested negative for heartworm. Because the Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Argentine Dogos were surrendered as pairs, every attempt will be made to find families that will adopt them together. Staff members will help determine which of these dogs, or any of the others available for adoption are the best fit for your lifestyle.

Adoption fees for these dogs are about $200 each, depending on age and other factors. That fee includes vaccinations, heartworm testing and microchipping. They will also receive a leash, collar and identification tag and a small bag of Hill’s pet food. All pets have a 10-day medical guarantee.

Guiness the Fila Brasileiro upper right, and Junior and Romeo, the Argentine Dogos, above ,are all available for adoption at out Tinton Falls Shelter, as well as our Bloodhound and Rhodesian Ridgebacks. For more information or if interested in adoption, please contact us.

It is important to note that none of the animals currently residing at the AHS shelters were euthanized to make room for these newcomers. But they need homes, too. Along with these beautiful big dogs, there are hundreds of dogs, puppies, cats, kittens and small animals available for adoption at our AHS animal shelters in Tinton Falls, Newark and Forked River. You can check them out before meeting them in person by logging on to Petfinder. If you can’t adopt a dog, please make a donation to help support our adoption efforts, or support a wonderful dog on our Share-A-Pet Program. Anything you can do will help and is greatly appreciated.