RESOURCES
Owner Surrender Information
Regrettably, numerous shelters nationwide are currently unable to accept owner surrenders due to severe overcrowding. Unless individuals cease breeding and abandoning dogs and start seeking assistance, the overpopulation issue at shelters will persist. We advise reaching out to rescue organizations, even though they may also be at capacity, or exploring options to rehome your pet.
Guidance on Finding a New Home for Your Pet
At times, families may find themselves unable to continue caring for their beloved animal companions. Making the decision to re-home a pet is often a challenging one.
To enhance the chances of finding a suitable home and avoid bringing your pet to a shelter, consider the following tips:
- Allow ample time to find a new home for your pet, as this process can take weeks to months.
- Improve your pet's adoptability by ensuring it is spayed or neutered, groomed, and up-to-date on vaccinations.
- Utilize various channels to spread the word about your pet, including reaching out to friends, family, and colleagues. Social media platforms and neighborhood apps can also be effective tools for reaching potential adopters.
Consider using the Adopt-A-Pet re-homing tool, which allows pet owners to actively participate in the process. This platform enables users to create a pet profile and connect with interested individuals. Adopt-A-Pet employs staff to review posts, ensuring a safer environment compared to other online marketplaces.
Exercise caution when evaluating potential adopters, particularly those unfamiliar to you. Arrange initial meetings in public places and ask relevant questions to assess their suitability as pet owners. Clarify your expectations for your pet's new home and express any desire to maintain contact with the new family.
It's crucial never to abandon your animal.
Rehoming Information
Home To Home is free to use for both owners and adopters, and no money should ever exchange hands. If you are offered money or asked to pay fees for any adoption or related activity, please contact them immediately. All rehoming submissions are reviewed by our shelter staff before being posted on the Home To Home site. This prevents any misuse of the program by anyone that may be breeding pets for profit.
PetFinder Rehoming Information: It is a huge decision to give away your pet, no matter how long or brief the period of time of ownership. Remember, for whatever reason you no longer are choosing to keep this pet, YOU are the person in this world who loves your pet more than anyone else and YOU no longer want your pet!
Adopt-A-Pet Rehoming Information: Rehoming your pet should be easy and stress free both for you and your pet. Our experts at Adopt-a-Pet.com have created a simple, reliable program to help you place your pet from your loving home directly to another.
Home 2 Rehome: Rehoming your dog should be safe and straightforward both for you and your pet. There are lots of reasons why you found rehome, and we want to help. If you are still open to see a way to keep your dog, try some suggestions, resources, and even posting here.
Rescue Information
Explore Breed-Specific or Foster-Based Rescue Groups
There are rescue groups dedicated to specific breeds, staffed by individuals with extensive knowledge of those breeds. These groups offer various opportunities for pets, including the option of staying in foster care until a permanent home is found.
Dog rescue organizations play a vital role in society by offering a secure haven for homeless animals and contributing to local economies. These organizations take in dogs from shelters and various sources, providing them with medical care, socialization, and a secure environment until they can find permanent homes. Through their efforts, these organizations contribute to reducing the euthanasia rate of dogs in shelters annually. The American Kennel Club provides a guide on selecting the right dog rescue group, and it's crucial to assess your circumstances and preferences in choosing the type of dog.
Breed-specific rescues, size-specific rescues, and general rescues are available options. The majority of these organizations operate on a foster-based model, and many are currently experiencing high demand.
You can search online for rescues near you or specific rescue organizations. Just make sure they are a valid 501(c)3 non-profit rescue. Ask for their EIN number and a copy of their determination letter if you can.