Pets are family members, so rehoming a pet should be a last resort. There are lots of resources available to help pet parents and their pets stay together, such as support for supplies, behavior, and vet care.
Before giving up your pet, contact rescues, shelters, and vet clinics to find out if they have any programs that help keep pets with their families. Pet food pantries, low-cost veterinary care, and short-term fostering are all options that may be available. These services can help pet parents get through difficult times without having to part ways with their beloved pets. There are also resources that can provide financial help to families, such as FindHelp.org.
However, if you’ve explored all options and you still think rehoming your pet is the best choice, then it’s important you do it humanely. Dog lovers are often quick to judge someone for rehoming their pet, but it’s a tough decision that’s usually done in the pet’s best interest. So, don’t be ashamed to ask for help. People who truly care about dogs will help your pet find the best home possible.
Tips for Responsibly Rehoming Your Pet
Consider Family and Friends
If you have to give up your dog, your best option is to give the dog to someone you know and trust. Preferably, the person will be someone your dog already knows and is comfortable around. So, start by asking trusted friends, family members, and acquaintances if they would be willing to adopt your dog.
Not everyone has someone who can take their pet, but it’s a good first step. This method would likely be the easiest transition for both you and your dog.
Reach Out to Animal Organizations
If no one you know is willing and able to take your dog, the next step would be to reach out to local animal organizations, such as shelters and rescues. First, they may be able to offer resources to help you keep your pet. If that’s for sure not an option, they may have rehoming resources too.
Not every organization can take your dog in. Many organizations are overcrowded and some may have to put dogs down if they take in more surrenders. So, instead of just dropping your dog off at one of these places, have a conversation with a staff member to find out what your options are. If they can’t take your dog, they may have advice on where else you can take them.
Surrender to an Organization with Space
Surrendering an animal to a shelter or rescue can be a great way to ensure your dog gets a good home. Most organizations care deeply about the dogs in their care, so they will do everything they can to ensure the dog gets adopted by a good family. However, as much as animal organizations love dogs, not all of them are capable of taking your dog and finding them the best home.
Many shelters and rescues are full right now. If the shelter is at capacity, they may be forced to euthanize dogs to free up space. Surrendering your dog to a crowded shelter could put your dog or other dogs at risk of being put down instead of finding a forever home.
People commonly mistake overcrowded shelters for bad places. But these shelters typically love dogs just as much as “no-kill” organizations. They just don’t have the space and resources to save lots of dogs. Oftentimes, they can’t turn away animals like no-kill shelters can, which puts them in a difficult position.
So, if you let a rescue or shelter rehome your dog for you, make sure that organization has plenty of space to take new dogs. If all the organizations in your area are crowded, it’s best to travel elsewhere to surrender your dog or rehome them through other methods. That way, you can feel confident that no dogs are being euthanized because of you rehoming your dog.
Talk to Your Vet
Vet clinics generally don’t rehome dogs directly, but they may offer services or advice to help you. They may know someone looking for a dog or they may allow you to post flyers advertising your dog in their office. Since they know your dog and your dog’s health conditions, they may have a good idea as to what type of home would be best for them.
Avoid “Free to a Good Home” Posts
If you’re in a hurry to rehome your dog, it might seem logical to give them for free to the first person who offers. However, that isn’t safe for your furry friend. If you’re going to post about rehoming your dog, add some type of adoption fee to ensure the dog doesn’t end up in the wrong hands.
Many dogs given away for free end up in abusive or neglectful situations. People involved in dog fighting or puppy mills may specifically seek out free or cheap dogs. Some people have good intentions, but they may take a free dog without making sure they’re ready for the responsibility.
So, adding an adoption fee can help ensure that the dog is adopted by someone who’s serious about giving your dog a good home. Even with a fee, it’s a good idea to meet with the person and do a home visit so you can be sure they’re a legit adopter that’s a good fit for your dog. Even though you’re giving your dog away, they still deserve to be in a loving, caring home.
Spay/Neuter
If your pet isn’t already spayed or neutered, get them fixed. Dogs that are spayed or neutered are less likely to end up in the wrong hands because bad breeders won’t want them. There are plenty of low-cost spay and neuter options out there. Memphis Animal Services has a voucher for low-cost services at Spay Memphis.
Try Rehoming Services
Another great option is pet rehoming services, such as Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet and Home to Home. Those types of sites allow you to more easily connect with people who want to adopt. Some may help you filter through applications to reduce the risk of an irresponsible pet owner adopting your dog.
This option is like taking your dog to a rescue or shelter, but it lets you have full control over the adoption process so you can feel comfortable with the person adopting your dog. It also ensures that no dogs have to be euthanized in the process. However, it requires you to keep your dog with you until they get adopted.
Take Good Photos
Photos have a huge impact on how quickly a dog gets adopted. Include photos of your dog being happy and playful. Make sure the lighting is good so you can clearly see the pet’s adorable face.
Even if you’re surrendering your dog to a shelter or rescue, you should ask if you can send them photos of your dog for advertising. The photos taken in shelter environments often make the dog look shy and fearful, which doesn’t properly show the dog’s personality. Photos in a home environment are usually much more interesting to adopters.
Be Honest About Your Pet’s Needs
When finding a new home for your pet, you’ll want to show off their good qualities, but make sure you’re honest. Include as many details as possible in the pet’s adoption bio so the adopters know exactly what they’re getting into. If your dog has special medical needs or certain behavior problems, make that clear.
Sure, your dog might get adopted faster if you don’t disclose their “bad” qualities. However, the adopter deserves to have as much information about the dog as possible. If you leave out key details, there’s a higher chance your dog could be rehomed again.
Additional Resources to Help You Keep Your Pet
Memphis Animal Services provides some information and assistance to help struggling pet parents keep their furry friends with them. Here are a few resources that may help you ensure you and your pet don’t have to part ways:
The above resources can help with cover pet costs until you get back on your feet. If you’re still struggling to keep your pet, follow the tips in this post to ensure they find a safe, loving home. If you have no other options even after considering these tips, you can fill out a pet assistance request as Memphis Animal Services.
Be Responsible When Rehoming Your Pet
Rehoming a dog is a difficult decision, but sometimes it’s the family’s only option or it’s in the best interest of the dog. If you’re faced with this heartbreaking situation, consider all your options before saying goodbye to your dog. Then, make sure you rehome your dog in a way that’s humane and helps them find the best new home possible.
