Rehome a Pet on Your Own
Rehoming on your own is best for the pet and the community
If you are unable to keep your pet, the best options are to rehome them yourself or to utilize an online rehoming assistance portal. Rehoming your pet keeps them out of an animal shelter, preventing stress, and easing their transition, and provides you the peace of mind that you personally selected your pet’s new family.
Preparing your pet for finding a new home.
- Have the pet groomed or give him/her a bath. People are drawn to clean, well cared for pets.
- Get a good picture of the pet to add to flyers and advertisements.
- Take the pet to the vet for a check up and any overdue vaccines, if possible.
- Also having the pet spayed or neutered will make him/her more desirable. If needed, speak to our staff about low cost or even possibly free options for rehoming pets.
- Ask our staff for information on Low Cost Vet-Care.
- Have all the pet’s medical records, toys, and other supplies handy and ready for your pet’s new family
Fostering your pet in your home while you look for potential adopters
- Talk to friends and family about adopting the pet from you. This is the #1 way that pets enter peoples’ lives.
- Post your pet on Adopt a Pet.com for potential adopters to view. Use our discount code: MSPCA71971 to get 90% off listing fee.
- Internet resources such as www.craigslist.org and www.petfinder.com. Some rescue groups may allow you to advertise your pet on their website.You may also utilize social media site such as Facebook and Instagram to share your pets with a broader audience.
- Post flyers on bulletin boards of local businesses, vets, workplace, and community centers. Email a flyer to your friends and ask that they put it up on their workplace notice boards
Things to include in advertising or flyer
- You may consider asking for a small rehoming fee. Charging a fee helps to ensure that they are serious about adopting and prepared for the cost of pet ownership, but it is not absolutely necessary.
- Describe the appearance, size, and age of your pet.
- Include your pet’s name and a good photograph.
- Mention whether your pet is spayed or neutered.
- Describe his/her nature.
- Describe any limitations your pet may have regarding health and temperament (i.e.- good with small children, other pets, etc.)
Screening candidates
- Ask questions! You don’t have to give your pet to the first interested person; take time and choose who you believe will make the best owner:
- Is the pet for you or someone else?
- Is it O.K. to have pets in your home/apartment/condo?
- Have you had pets before?
- Do you have children?
- Are you willing to have me visit?
- What is your plan for exercising and potty breaks? Will the pet be supervised outside? OR Do you have litter box and cat toys?
- What do you plan to do if the pet does not work out for you?
- Is the pet for you or someone else?
- Get your applicant’s name, address and phone number and verify the information. Also ask about size or breed limitations.
- Check references, especially vet references if applicable.
- Once you’ve chosen a family (or families) that you feel are good candidates, make an appointment for them to meet your pet.
- Meet in a neutral location.
Finding a Rescue Group
Keep in mind most rescue groups do not have a facility. They work with a network of volunteers who foster animals in their homes until the animal is adopted. If they are full ask about a waiting list. You can also search on the internet for a specific breed to find a rescue, for example, Chihuahua + rescue + baltimore, or small dog + rescue + maryland, etc.
Not all rescues operate in the same manner, so it is important that you ask questions.
- Why was this rescue created? Is this rescue a non-profit organization?
- Ask about the foster home situation. How do they screen foster parents? Are there limits to the number of animals in the home? How many animals are currently with the foster parent?
- Ask how their adoption process works.
- Are you able to speak to adopters or foster parents?
- Can you visit the foster home before turning over your pet? Will they notify you when your pet is adopted?
- Ask how long the rescue group will continue to foster your pet if he/she is not adopted quickly.