Before You Rehome Your Pet: A Helpful Checklist

Rehoming a pet is never an easy choice, and we want to help you make the safest and most informed decision possible. This checklist can guide you through the responsible steps to take before finding your pet a new home.  

✔️ 1. Talk with your veterinarian

Your vet can provide:

• medical or behavioral insights

• training and management suggestions

• guidance that may resolve the issue without rehoming

• referrals to trusted rescues or specialists

Sometimes a medical or behavioral concern has a simple, treatable cause.

✔️ 2. Prepare your pet’s information

Before seeking a new home, gather:

• veterinary records

• vaccination history

• spay/neuter status

• medications or special care needs

• behavior notes or temperament details

• clear, recent photos

Good documentation helps ensure your pet finds a safe and appropriate home.

✔️ 3. Contact the original rescue or shelter

If you adopted your pet from a rescue or shelter, they must be your next call.

Most organizations require adopters to contact them if rehoming becomes necessary, and many have programs in place to help their former animals. They may offer:

• a return-to-rescue option

• rehoming support

• behavior or medical resources

Always give them the opportunity to help.

✔️ 4. Contact other rescues and shelters

If additional support is needed, reach out to local rescues or humane societies. Many are operating at capacity and rely heavily on donations to cover medical care, spay/neuter, food, and supplies.

Offering a surrender donation can make a significant difference.

It helps offset the financial burden and may increase the likelihood that an overwhelmed organization can assist. Even a modest donation demonstrates goodwill and respect for the resources required to care for your pet.

Suggestions when contacting rescues:

• be honest about your pet’s needs

• provide full medical and behavior information

• offer a surrender donation to support their efforts

Your transparency and willingness to help financially can open doors that might otherwise be closed.

✔️ 5.  Use reputable rehoming platforms

If the original organization cannot assist, use safe, screened platforms such as:

• Rehome by Adopt-A-Pet

• Home to Home

These platforms protect your information and help connect your pet with responsible adopters. Never use Craigslist or “free to good home” listings. Always charge a rehoming fee to lessen the odds of bad people with worse intentions.

See below for a few flyers you can save for further advice.