logoSA Yorkie Rescue

Surrender a Yorkie in South Africa — Free, Confidential, and Judgment-Free

If you need to rehome your Yorkie, you are not alone — and you are not being judged. SA Yorkie Rescue (SAYR) helps owners across South Africa find safe, loving homes for their Yorkshire Terriers. Free, confidential, and no-kennel. You are doing the responsible thing by reaching out.

Learn how the surrender process works

This page explains what happens when you surrender a Yorkie through the official rescue process. The actual intake form is managed on the official Yorkie Rescue site — that is where you submit your details to start the process.

Go to the Official Surrender Form →See how rehoming works firstRead FAQs

What happens when you surrender a Yorkie to SAYR

1
Submit the form

Tell us about your Yorkie, your situation, and what kind of help you need. This gives the rescue team the context they need to act fast.

2
We review and contact you

SAYR assesses urgency, health, behaviour, and location. Someone will reach out with clear next steps — usually within 24-48 hours for urgent cases.

3
Your Yorkie goes to a foster home

Never a kennel. Every SAYR dog stays with a vetted foster family who understands their personality, habits, and needs.

4
Careful matching and adoption

Your Yorkie is matched to a screened home based on their specific needs — not first-come-first-served. You can know they ended up somewhere safe.

Common reasons owners need to surrender

These are the situations we hear about most often. If any of these sound like your circumstances, you are not the first person to face this — and you will not be judged for it.

I can't afford my Yorkie's vet bills anymore. Can SAYR help?

Yes. Financial pressure is one of the most common reasons owners reach out. If your Yorkie needs veterinary care you cannot afford, SAYR can assess the situation and plan a safe path forward — whether that means support with rehoming or finding a foster placement that covers their medical needs. You are not being judged for this.

I have to move and can't take my Yorkie with me. What do I do?

Relocation — whether for a new job, emigration, or moving to a rental that doesn't allow pets — is one of the top reasons Yorkies are surrendered in South Africa. SAYR helps owners in this situation plan a safe rehoming that doesn't involve rushed handovers or classifieds.

My Yorkie has developed behavioural issues I can't manage.

Owners often feel ashamed or guilty when their dog's behaviour changes. Aggression, separation anxiety, house soiling, or reactivity can be overwhelming. SAYR assesses each case honestly — some behaviours can be managed with the right home, others need specialist support. Submit the form and be honest about what is happening.

Allergies in the family are making it impossible to keep my Yorkie.

Allergies — especially in children or partners — are a valid reason to seek rehoming. No one should feel guilty for prioritising a family member's health. SAYR handles these cases with understanding and without judgment, and works to find a home where the dog will be welcomed.

A family member has passed away and I cannot care for their Yorkie.

When an owner passes away, their dog is often left without a plan. SAYR can take in the Yorkie, provide foster care, and find a loving new home. This is a situation we handle regularly, and we do it with sensitivity and respect for the owner's memory.

I have a new baby and my Yorkie isn't adjusting well.

A new baby changes the household dynamic, and some Yorkies struggle with the transition. If you are worried about your dog's behaviour around a newborn or toddler, or simply don't have the bandwidth for both, SAYR can help place your Yorkie in a home that matches their needs.

Why surrender through SAYR instead of doing it yourself?

Your dog goes to a foster home, not a kennelEvery SAYR Yorkie lives with a real family while waiting for adoption. No cages, no shelter stress.
Your privacy is protectedYour name, contact details, and personal situation remain confidential. We never share your information with adopters.
No fee, no pressureThere is absolutely no charge to surrender a Yorkie to SAYR. We cover all veterinary, transport, and rehoming costs.
Safe from scammers and back-yard breedersWhen you rehome through classifieds or social media, your dog can end up with the wrong people. SAYR screens every adopter thoroughly.
You get peace of mindAdopters sign a contract requiring the dog to return to SAYR if it cannot be kept. Your Yorkie will never be passed from home to home.

Surrender help by province

Select your province for specific guidance on surrendering a Yorkie in your area, then submit the official form with your town or suburb and urgency details.

GautengSurrender guidance for owners who need to rehome a Yorkie in Gauteng.Western CapeSurrender guidance for owners who need to rehome a Yorkie in Western Cape.KwaZulu-NatalSurrender guidance for owners who need to rehome a Yorkie in KwaZulu-Natal.Eastern CapeSurrender guidance for owners who need to rehome a Yorkie in Eastern Cape.Free StateSurrender guidance for owners who need to rehome a Yorkie in Free State.North WestSurrender guidance for owners who need to rehome a Yorkie in North West.MpumalangaSurrender guidance for owners who need to rehome a Yorkie in Mpumalanga.LimpopoSurrender guidance for owners who need to rehome a Yorkie in Limpopo.Northern CapeSurrender guidance for owners who need to rehome a Yorkie in Northern Cape.

Ready to submit the official form?

The official surrender form is hosted on yorkierescue.co.za. It is confidential — SAYR will review your situation and contact you with the safest next steps for your Yorkie.

Go to the Official Surrender Form →How rehoming worksFAQsContact

See how rehoming works · Read FAQs · Contact & official links