PERPETUAL CARE

HOW TO REHOME YOUR PET​

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BEFORE YOU TRY TO REHOME YOUR PET

HELP YOUR PET TO BE ADOPTABLE!

• People want pets that are well behaved, affectionate, and very social with people and other pets. 

• People don't want to take in someone else's problem pet. 

• There are millions of pets looking for homes every day so the competition can make it tough to have your pet stand out. 

• The best thing you can do for your pet is to socialize them and teach them basic manners.  

Here is a quick checklist of what you should do to help your pet be more adoptable in order to protect your pet in case they ever need to be rehomed.

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1. House train your pet

No matter how old your pet is, if they are not house trained, it will be difficult to find them a home.  We recommend that you go back to basics and crate train your pet.  Here is our instruction guide on crate training your pet: Download Now

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2. Socialize your pet

Socializing your pet is more than just having other pets around, although that is a great start if your dog is around cats or vice versa.  

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3. Basic Commands to teach your pet

     1. Come

     2. Stay

     3. Sit and Sit/Stay

     4. Down and Down/Stay

     5. Off

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SHOULD YOU GET HELP TO REHOME YOUR PET OR DO IT YOURSELF (DIY)?

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ENLIST THE HELP OF A RESCUE ORGANIZATION​

• You can find a rescue organization by contacting your local shelter and asking for a list of referrals or you can search animal rescue organizations in your locality on the Internet.

• Rescue organization already know how to get a pet adopted and they have had years of experience doing it. They have connections that the average person does not have and they have access to regional, state and national adoption websites and organizations where they can post pets for adoption, so they have a much better reach and chance of finding your pet a home.

• Rescue organizations also already have adoption application forms and agreements that they can use to screen applicants and find a good match for your pet.  

• Rescue organizations also have experience screening applicants and weeding out unacceptable applicants and homes.

• Rescue organizations are almost always full and it may be difficult to simply turn your pet over to them for adoption, so if they can't take your pet, ask them to help you get your pet adopted while you keep the pet in your home.

• If you work with a rescue organization but keep your pet while they assist you, they will probably screen the applicants and go over them with you and then it will be up to you to schedule time for them to meet your pet.  They may also have a checklist of items to help you decide if the potential owner is a good match or at least discuss the applicants once you meet them.  Listen to their advice, they are the experts and do not rush to just get them adopted; a bad match could mean your pet will be returned or worse.

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DIY-REHOMING YOUR PET YOURSELF

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STEP 1:  WRITE UP AN AD FOR YOUR PET

• CREATE AN ADVERTISEMENT.  Your advertisement for your pet should include at least 2-3 photos, one showing the face close up because that tends to draw attention and an emotional response and one or two showing the body so people can see how big they are.  You should also have at least one video that shows your pet being friendly and affectionate and/or well-mannered, especially if they can do a cute trick.

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• Your ad should also include the following information:

1.  Are they spay/neutered?

2.  Current on shots and preventive treatments (heartworm and fleas/ticks)?

3.  Age, Male/Female, Primary and Secondary Breed

4.  Do they get along with kids, cats and other dogs?

5.  Key characteristics such as playful, loves toys, affectionate, etc.

6.  Why you need to rehome them.  Be Honest.

7.  Any behavioral issues or medical conditions that someone needs to know.

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Here is a Sample Ad for you to use:  

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STEP 2:  POST YOUR AD TO SOCIAL MEDIA AND NEWS MEDIA

• This is where the photos and videos of your pet will be important and most effective.  Make sure to also include the key information from your ad.  Ask people to share your ad to get help reaching more people. 

• Use your personal social media accounts, but you might want to set up a temporary Google Voice phone #, for free, so that you are not advertising your personal phone #.

• Place an ad with your local newspaper or news media.

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STEP 3:  POST YOUR AD TO LEGITIMATE PET ADOPTION WEBSITES

• Do not advertise your pet on sites like Craigslist.  There are people who troll those sites looking to get pets to sell them for research and use them for dog fighting bait dogs and they will portray themselves as a good home.  People who will give your pet a good home will take the time to use legitimate websites.

• You can post your pet to www.getyourpet.com.  This is a website designed specifically for people who want to find a good home for their pet and it is open to people who want to adopt a pet. This transaction is strictly between pet owner and adopter.   

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STEP 4:  HAVE ALL OF YOUR APPLICANTS COMPLETE AN APPLICATION FORM

If you use an application form, you will be able to keep track of the applicants and look at their qualifications objectively to find the best new parents for your pet.

Here is an adoption application template for you to use:  

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STEP 5:  DO A HOME VISIT CHECK OF ANY POTENTIAL ADOPTER

It is important to visit the home of the potential adopters.  There have been times that the home check made the difference between approving an adoption or not.  We have provided a home visit checklist for you to use to help you.

 

STEP 6:  HAVE YOUR ADOPTERS SIGN AN ADOPTION AGREEMENT

Under the law, pets are property and so a legal contract should be used to change ownership of a pet.  This is also your opportunity to document any requirements you want to put on the adoption or how the pet is kept in their new home, such as the pet will not be chained outside.  Here is a template of an adoption agreement that you can use and modify to suit your needs.

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