Rehoming a Dog - How to Do it Safely

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One of the worst things that can happen to a dog owner is being forced to rehome their dog. It is a heartbreaking thing you might have to do, but sometimes, life circumstances might cause us to give up our dogs. Things we can’t control, like losing a job or being in an accident, can render us unfit to take proper care of our dogs. Rehoming the dog might be the best solution for the dog and for the owner. This is not something we would even want to think about, but if that happens, here are some things you should really think about.

Question your motive

The first thing all dog owners looking into rehoming their dogs should think about is the motivation that leads them to the conclusion rehoming is the best option. Many owners love having a puppy while they are still small and cuddly, but when they grow up and have needs like daily walks, vet bills, food, and exercise, owners might want to get rid of them.

The best thing would be to start acting properly and taking good care of the dog. Being a dog owner is not easy - in fact, it is a significant responsibility. However, people that don’t take proper care of their dog are rarely convinced to start acting differently. The best thing to do would be to find a good home for the dog. A home that will take care of the dog’s needs and provide them with love, attention, and care all dogs deserve. It is vital owners question their motives and make sure rehoming the dog is the best solution.

Rehoming a dog safely

Like with anything else in life, there are right and wrong ways of approaching rehoming of a dog. Many owners think it is enough to abandon their dogs in their local shelter. However, that is the worst thing you can do. Some shelters might be good, but living in a shelter can be very stressful for your dog.

The right approach

The best way to approach rehoming a dog is to find a new home for your dog yourself. However, before you do that, you need to make sure your dog is up to date with all the vaccinations and vet visits. If your dog isn’t spayed or neutered, it might be a good thing to do that. If you are facing financial hardship, you can skip this part, but make sure to tell the new family your dog is not spayed or neutered.

The second thing you should do is take some high-quality photos of your dog and create an ad or contact online services specializing in rehoming and rescuing dogs. Make sure you list their characteristics, temperament, energy levels, and how well they get along with kids. You can even describe why you need to rehome your dog and what kind of home would be best for them.

The wrong approach

The shortest definition of the wrong approach is everything else. Some owners simply abandon their dogs somewhere, and that is absolutely the worst thing anyone can do. The complete disregard for the dog’s safety and well-being baffles us, and you should never ever do that. Leaving a dog in the local shelter is not ideal, but that is already better than abandoning the dog.

Friends and family

The first place you should look for a new home for your dog is among your friends and family, people you know. You probably know their relationship with your dog and their overall love for animals. You know the conditions they live in and what they can provide for your dog. It is essential to look for homes that will have a similar energy level to your dog. If you have an active dog, look for active families that can include a dog in their daily activities.

Screening the interested people

If you found someone from the people you know that could adopt your dog, that is great news. That way, you can still visit and even spend some time with the dog you cannot take care of anymore. However, if you created an ad, and different people call you and ask for your dog, you should take time and ask them some questions before giving them your dog. You wouldn’t believe what goes on in the world and how dogs become victims. They can be used as bait dogs and for all sorts of illegal activity.

That is the first thing you need to make sure of. Check with the new owners why they want a dog, and there is a set of questions you can ask them that will tell you how well they’ll take care of your dog. Here are some questions you can ask them;

• How will you take care of the dog?
• How much time can you devote to the dog?
• Do you have other pets?
• Will the dog be living inside or outside?
• Do you have a yard?
• Are you active? Do you have any activities planned for the dog?
• Did you have dogs before?

Rehoming a dog isn’t a simple task, and you should not approach it as such. Be careful and take your time to find the best possible home for your dog.

World Dog Finder team