Responsible Rehoming

A guide for adopting out animals

Whether you are rehoming your own pet, placing a litter of found puppies/kittens up for adoption, or you work for an organization-this guide will help you be successful.

Myths:

• Charging a fee guarantees you will find a good home for an animal

• Rescues/shelters are the best option for rehoming an animal

Facts:

• Interviews, screening, and requiring references are the key to a good home

• Rescues/shelters should be used for emergencies

Step One: Photographs

• Be prepared to take plenty of pictures

• Set up a solid background (sheets, curtains, poster board, etc…)

• Use natural light to your advantage

• Some phones have a portrait mode that filter out or blur backgrounds

• Take photos without people and props

• Use toys, keys, or your fingers to get their attention and get them to look at your face

• Here’s a book by a pro

Step Two: Biography 

These are crucial pieces of information to include and will give a potential home a clear picture for if they are a good fit.  Being truthful means you find the right home-the first time.

• Gender and are they sterilized/fixed?

• Age?

• Are they good with kids? Dogs? Cats?

• Up to date on vaccines?

• Microchipped?

• What kind of activity level do they need?

• Any medical or behavior concerns?

• Do you have a deadline?

Step Three: Personalize 

Which pet would you adopt?

1. This is Tom. Tom is a short haired, black, neutered male cat.  Tom is 7 years old and doesn’t like dogs, but is great with kids.  He is healthy and has all of his shots.  He scratches furniture if you don’t let him outside.  I need to find him a home by August.

2. It breaks my heart to do this, but I need to get rid of my dog.  She is so sweet and I really love her.  Foxy is afraid of big dogs and my kids.  I need her gone by December.

3. Meet Paprika!  This red-haired beauty is looking for the man of her dreams!  Although she is 13 years old, this feline still has all 9 lives and a clean bill of health!  She’s fresh from the vet where she had the works-so she is ready for whatever life hands her-except for dogs.  She would prefer to be moved in by April.

Each of these have important information but number 3 answers all questions while showing off the animal’s personality.  

Step Four: Picking the home

When the inquiries begin, it can be intimidating to go through and make a good decision.  Here are some tips to help you narrow down choices.

1. Make your own application.  The key questions should include: type of residence, information about their home/activity level, experience with pets, who their veterinarian is/was, and why they are interested in adopting this animal.

   1. Dog example

   2. Cat example

   3. Generic example

2. Interview questions should confirm information from the application and be conversational.  Ask open ended questions about their past animals, home, and what they are looking for. 

3. Meet and greets may be crucial for many people, however they must be done carefully.  For dogs, we recommend meeting on neutral ground-such as a park.  A place that will be the least stressful.  Meeting another pet face to face is going to be intimidating for any pet, so make sure you have a full understanding of how the animal you are rehoming will behave so a new owner will know what to expect.  For cats, we do not recommend meet and greets unless it’s at the current caretaker’s home.  Cats adapt well to most environments-but require time to adjust.  Check out this link for introduction suggestions.

4. Reference checks are useful for any interview process.  Call the veterinarian and ask if they are a client in good standing-this isn’t a violation of their privacy.  

Step Five: Your responsibilities 

• For owned animals, you should provide a new owner with items the animal is comfortable with.  This could be toys, bowls, blankets, or a list of their favorite treats.  This will help the transition into a new home go smoothly.

• If you’re adopting out a litter of young animals-you should be performing basic vet care for them.  This includes vaccines, dewormer, and spay/neuter.  If you can’t do these things-offer to foster them through an organization that can.  Adopting out animals without preventative care impacts everyone.

Final Tips:

Rehoming an animal can be emotionally challenging-but you have the tools to do it effectively.

• Don’t feel like you need to defend the choice to rehome.  If someone asks why you are rehoming-be honest and factual.  

• If someone is not willing to take these steps-they don’t want the animal.  If someone complains “it’s too hard to adopt here”, that means they aren’t prepared for the commitment that comes with owning an animal. 

• Be patient and keep your social media posts bumped and updated.