REHOMING YOUR PET
Giving up your pet is a difficult decision. We have seen many brokenhearted pet owners who felt they were forced to surrender their animals. There are many options to try before making the decision to surrender your furry family member. Here are suggestions and food for thought as you contemplate making a decision that will change your pet’s life forever. First and foremost, remember that your pet depends entirely on you to do what's best for its future.
ARE YOU MOVING?
Relocating or moving is stressful and if you are a renter, you may be worried that the rental complex may not allow pets. To give yourself a better chance of securing a pet-friendly rental, include references from neighbors, previous landlords and veterinarians. Encourage the landlord to meet your well-behaved pet. Visit websites, such as Apartments.com, where you can search to find your desired geographic area, and then see pet-policy details for the properties to consider.
CAN'T SPEND A LOT OF TIME WITH YOUR PET?
You may feel guilty that if you work long hours, your pet isn’t getting the companionship it deserves. The truth is that pets usually sleep most of the day while no one is home. So please don’t think that you are depriving your pet of attention. They are still better off being with their family than being rehomed.
Dog-walking services and doggie daycare are great options for busy pet owners who want their pets to have companionship during the day. However, getting exercise is good for your health and decreases stress too. Before rehoming your pet, try spending just 15-30 minutes before or after work playing fetch or taking a stroll together. We bet you'll both be happier!
ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT PET BEHAVIOR ISSUES?
Meet with a professional trainer to assist with any issues, or reach out to the breeder, or rescue organization that your pet came from. At Mostly Mutts, we are always ready to help frustrated pet owners who may be experiencing behavior problems with dogs or cats adopted from us.
FINANCIAL STRESS?
Life happens and events beyond one’s control can force owners to consider surrendering their pets when the expenses of pet ownership become overwhelming.
To assist, some organizations offer low-cost veterinary services and free pet food to help families who are struggling to care for their pets financially. See our list of resources at the bottom of this page.
IF YOU MUST REHOME YOUR PET
For those that have completely run out of options and must rehome their pet, here are some steps to take before surrendering to a county shelter.
If your dog or cat was adopted from Mostly Mutts, please
If your purebred dog or cat came from a breeder, reach out to them first. Responsible breeders will either assist you in finding a new home or take the pet back to re-home themselves. Many rescues also state in their contracts that the pet must be returned to them, no matter how much time has passed. If your dog or cat was adopted from a rescue group, please refer to your adoption contract for details on rehoming policies.
Reach out to family and friends. Finding a home with someone that your pet already knows, will be undoubtedly less stressful for your pet.
Contact breed-specific or local rescue groups to see if they have room to take in your pet.
Visit websites such as Rehome By Adopt A Pet. You can upload your pet’s information and create an application to screen potential adopters to find the best fit for your companion. Be sure to meet with any interested adopters in person, to get a good feel for their suitability to adopt your pet.
Note: It’s strongly recommended that you charge an adoption fee when rehoming your pet. This will help rule out those people who will take your dogs or cat for free, then proceed to sell the pet or offer it as bait for dog fighting rings. Be wary of listing sites that try to take advantage of pet owners who appear to be desperate.
We understand that people who are forced to surrender their pets do not take this decision lightly. Mostly Mutts Animal Rescue is committed to educating and assisting local pet owners and we are happy to counsel you and your family through this process if it is unavoidable. Please reach out if you need our help or advice.
