What Is a Rehoming Fee?
When you can no longer care for a pet for any reason, rehoming is a good idea. Instead of surrendering your pet to an animal shelter where they may be killed, try to find them a new home with friends, family members, or other people who want to provide them with a good home.
Advertise your pet with flyers and on social media, as well as ask your veterinarian if they know of a good adoptive home. Have a good picture of your pet ready and provide a clear description with a rehoming fee.
What Is a Rehoming Fee?
When rehoming a pet to someone you don’t know, it is common to charge a rehoming fee. On average, this can range from $25 to $100. A rehoming fee can help you recoup charges for vaccinations, pet tags, spaying, and neutering, as well as help cover your expenses. But in most cases, the rehoming fee is also a good idea for the dog or cat being rehomed. Here’s why:
Reasons for a Rehoming Fee
When a potential adoptive parent is willing to pay a rehoming fee, it shows that they are serious about adopting your pet. You’ll know that they will be more willing to put in the time and effort to care for an animal, and that they will be less likely to neglect the pet or surrender them to a shelter. Their willingness to pay a rehoming fee also shows that they have the financial resources necessary to care for a pet and that they may be more likely to seek medical treatment for the pet when necessary.
Giving your pet away for free may mean an uncertain future for them. You would like to think that people who are looking to adopt a dog or cat are doing so out of the goodness of their hearts. They want to love and care for the pet and give it a good life. But without a rehoming fee, this may not be the case.
Sometimes pets that are given “free to a good home” wind up in places that are anything but. Some unscrupulous people train their dogs to fight each other. They need other animals as “bait” to train the dogs to fight. By giving your pets away for free, you are making them easy targets for this type of abuse.
What Is the Purpose of a Rehoming Fee?
Some people who are looking to adopt a rehomed pet don’t understand the purpose of a rehoming fee. For them, the fee can be off-putting.
People expect to pay an adoption fee at an animal shelter or rescue organization. They understand that these costs help the organization stay in business and care for their pets. But when an individual who wants to rehome their pet charges a rehoming fee, it may seem unwarranted. It sounds like the person is trying to make a profit from their pet, so it’s always best to be clear about why you’re charging the fee.
Remember, ask the right questions when rehoming your pet. You may want the potential adoptive parents to fill out a questionnaire. Tell the new parents what your pet likes and dislikes. If your pet dislikes being around other household pets, do not send them to a home with other pets. Make sure that you do everything you can to find the best new home for your loyal companion.
To learn more about rehoming your pet, go to Rehoming – Giving up a Pet – What Are Your Options?