What Is “Rehoming” for Pets?

Whenever you have to give up your pet it’s never easy. You may be forced to give up your pet when matters beyond your control force you to do so. You might find you have allergies to the pet. You may no longer be able to care for your pet. You may come upon financial problems that prohibit you from keeping your pet. You may be facing foreclosure. Whatever the reason, the fact remains that it is hard to give up your loyal companion.

When this happens, know that you have options available to you. There are many rescue organizations and animal shelters. But instead of turning your beloved pet over to a shelter where he or she may be killed, you should consider rehoming.

What is rehoming for pets? This is a process in which you try to find a new home for your pet. Many people would prefer to take in a pet that comes from a good home and is already trained. You just have to make the right connection.

There are many rehoming options available to you, and certain strategies that you can use to help increase your chances for success. For instance, if your pet isn’t spayed or neutered, have it done before trying to rehome them. This will make the pet more desirable to a new home.

What Is a “Rehoming Fee” and Why Is It Used?

Most people who are rehoming their pets will ask for a rehoming fee. That may sound wrong to many people. After all, you are asking for someone to take your pet, and then you ask the person to pay you for doing so.

While people expect to pay an adoption fee to a shelter or rescue organization, they may not expect to pay a rehoming fee for a dog that is being given up by the owner. If you see a rehoming fee for a pet you might be a little put-off. It sounds like the person is trying to make a profit. Would they rather see the pet die than to give it away for free? If the person is going to have to surrender the pet to a shelter, why would he charge a fee for someone to take it home? To some people, this just doesn’t make sense.

While it may seem that offering your pet free to a good home is the better option, it is not the best way to approach rehoming your pet. There are good reasons for charging a rehoming fee. It ensures that you only receive inquiries from people who are ready, willing and able to accept the cost of pet ownership.

Giving away your pet for free may mean an uncertain future for them. You would like to think that people looking for dogs and cats are doing so because they want to love them and give them a good home, but this is not necessarily the case. Labs experiment on animals. Some people train their dogs to fight and need other animals as bait to train them. By giving your pets away for free, you are making them easy targets for this type of abuse.

A rehoming fee protects your pet in other ways too. For example, offering your pet for free you may be attracting casual pet owners who don’t take the commitment seriously. They may be more likely to neglect or abandon the pet or turn it over to an animal shelter. Also, a person who is willing to pay a rehoming fee will likely have the financial resources to provide good care for your beloved pet.

Why People Are Looking for Rehoming for Dogs

If you are thinking about rehoming for dogs, there are many steps that you can take. First, start by having your dog spayed or neutered. Make sure that your dog is healthy and that all vaccinations are up to date. You should also make sure that your dog is house trained and well behaved. This makes your dog more desirable to potential new owners.

Talk to everyone you know about rehoming your dog. Try to find a friend or family member who is willing to take your pet. Sometimes word of mouth goes a long way toward finding a good home for your pet. Talk to the breeder, person or rescue organization you got your pet from – they may be able to help you rehome your dog.

If you want to rehome your dog, you may turn to your local shelter for help. They may have a bulletin board or newsletter where they list information about dogs that area available for adoption. Talk to your veterinarian. He or she may know of a family that would like to adopt your dog, or your vet may allow you to post flyers in the office.

Rehoming for dogs is easier with good advertising. Make sure to have a good photo of your dog. Make an ad that describes your dog and all of the wonderful things that make him so special. A good description of your dog will help potential adopters get to know him better. List your contact information for people to get in touch with you. Post your flyers in locations where they are most likely to be seen – at the grocery store, at work, school or church, or at your veterinarian’s office.

It’s also a good idea to post the information online. Leverage your social network to uncover rehoming possibilities. Post your dog’s photo or a good video. Tell your dog’s story and ask your friends to share it on their social streams. Think about adoption websites and find out if your local shelter has a website where you can advertise.

Many people prefer to get a dog by rehoming. These dogs have lived in a good home, have been well taken care of and they are already trained. Just make sure that you know what you’re getting into. Get as much information about the dog as you possibly can – what it likes and dislikes, how it is with children, does it do well with other household pets, and does it have any special needs?

What to Know If You’re Looking into Rehoming for Cats

Rehoming for cats takes time, so start as soon as possible. Waiting until the last minute will mean you have less time to make sure that you are sending your cat to a good home.

Start by preparing your cat for rehoming. Make sure that your cat is spayed or neutered, that all vaccinations are up to date and that your cat has been tested for FIV/FeLV. You will have a much easier time finding your cat a new home if you are able to provide your cat’s veterinary records.

If you have two cats that are lifelong companions, it is best not to separate them. Try to find a good home that will take both cats.

It is important to screen potential adopters to make sure that your cat will be going to a good home. Make sure that you feel comfortable with the adoptive parent before rehoming your cat.

When you take your cat to his new home, try to make him feel as comfortable as possible. To make the transition easier, take his litter box, his food, his bedding and toys. Take an article of your clothing with your scent on it to place in his bed at his new home.

If you are taking in a rehomed cat, ask questions. Find out if the cat is good with other animals and if there are any behavior problems. Ask for the cat’s veterinary records to make sure he is in good health and that all vaccinations are up to date.

What You Need to Know About Rehoming Puppies

There are many reasons for rehoming puppies. Once you’ve gotten into it, you may find that owning a puppy is too big a commitment for you to handle. You may not have the time and energy that it takes to train and care for a puppy. Family members may experience pet allergies they didn’t know they had. Or you may develop issues trying to socialize the puppy with other household pets.

Rehoming a puppy is easier than rehoming a dog. Since the puppy has not spent as much time in your home it will be easier for him to adapt to a new home life with a new family.

If you are thinking about rehoming puppies, try to house-train them first whenever possible. Make sure their vaccinations are up to date. This will make the puppy more attractive to potential adopters.

Also, make sure to do your homework when interviewing prospective new parents. Puppies are a huge commitment – they cannot be left home alone all day. Puppies require a lot of time and attention, so make sure you are sending your puppy to a good home.