The essentials
- Certain situations necessitate rehoming — Chronic illnesses, permanent schedule changes, and financial hardship may lead you to rehome your pet. While you can sometimes mitigate the effect of these changes, trust your intuition.
- Euthanasia may be a better option in two cases — In rare instances, it may be kinder to euthanize a terminally ill senior pet or a dog with severe aggression issues instead of rehoming them.
- Rehoming may be the best thing you can do — You’re not giving up on your pet. In some cases, rehoming your pet gives them their best chance.
No one ever plans on having to rehome their pet, but sometimes life doesn’t offer an alternative. Extreme financial hardship, a death in the family, and even domestic violence situations may force us into unforeseen situations that require rehoming a beloved family pet.
If this is you, know that you aren’t a bad pet parent.
Many factors weigh into the decision of whether or not to rehome your pet, and it’s okay if you decide that rehoming is in their best interest. Here are some considerations that can help you make that tough choice, and some options that can help ensure your pet finds a happy, safe future home.
Signs that it’s time to rehome your pet
External factors, such as your financial situation or extremely aggressive behaviors, may signal that it’s time to rehome your pet. Consider these questions when weighing your decision:
- Are you struggling financially? A temporary situation can likely be mitigated until things change. However, if your budget will be too tight to afford care long term, it may be best to consider rehoming your pet.
- Is your pet endangering your living situation? Incurring a landlord’s anger over a dog who barks nonstop — or for a cat who isn’t listed on the lease — may put you in a challenging situation where you might find yourself rehomed unless the situation is speedily resolved.
- Is your pet getting enough attention and exercise? Some high-energy dog breeds require a couple hours of exercise each day, which can be challenging if you work a 9-5 with a commute or live in an apartment without a yard. Dogs who don’t receive enough exercise often become destructive or develop separation anxiety.
- Are you moving soon? Finding a pet-friendly housing rental limits your options by about half. Depending on your state, you may be able to register your pet as an emotional support animal (ESA), which entitles them to live with you even in places that don’t allow pets without having to pay pet deposits or fees.
- Does your pet have chronic health problems that you can’t afford? If you’re barely scraping by financially, you may not be able to pay for ongoing medical care that a chronically ill pet requires. You may be able to enroll your pet in an insurance policy or apply for CareCredit to help cover costs. Pet insurance doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, though.
- How does your pet get along with other household members? You may have to rehome your pet if they act hostile towards your new baby or your aging parents who have come to live with you. Depending on the severity of your pet’s reactions, you may be able to ask your vet or an animal trainer for help first before making the call. In some situations, behavioral euthanasia may even be necessary to prevent dog attacks.
Dr. Erica IrishA dog who is aggressive towards one baby may be aggressive towards another, and that message doesn’t always get passed along, leading to terrible accidents.
While it’s important to consider your living situation and your pet’s needs, you also have to prioritize your own. If you’re dealing with a medical crisis or other situation that leaves your cup half full, you may not be able to provide the care that your pet needs.
- Are you injured or disabled? Car accidents or work-related injuries may leave you without enough energy to handle your bare minimum personal tasks. If your prognosis is good, you might consider asking a friend for help caring for your pet or hiring a sitter until you feel better. However, you’ll need to seriously weigh your options if your condition will severely impact you long-term.
- Does depression or another mental disability affect your ability to care for your pet? Dogs and cats give us a reason to get up in the morning, and studies show that owning a pet generally reduces stress, anxiety, and depression. According to a 2021 study, people who owned cats or dogs were 41% less depressed than their petless counterparts. However, if you’re struggling to care for yourself, handling a pet may not be feasible in this season.
- Are you often irritable towards your pet? Impatience over your pet’s behaviors or inability to care for them properly may lead you to become irritable or even resentful towards them. While it may seem easier to bury what we consider shameful feelings, such as anger or apathy, these emotions are warning lights that something in our life needs to change to restore peace and order.
Things to consider before making that choice
Factors that may lead you to rehome your pet may be reversible if you’re willing and able to implement some changes.
With dogs, it’s time and patience
For dogs, exercise is key. Lengthening their walks and outdoor time expends their energy in constructive ways, which reduces their risk of becoming destructive or developing separation anxiety. If you don’t have enough time to devote to overseeing their physical activity, consider asking another household member to share responsibility or hire a dog walker.
Consistent training may also curb some negative behaviors. Ask your vet if they have recommendations for a dog trainer or animal behavioral therapist. Depending on the situation, your vet may also be able to prescribe medication for conditions like anxiety.
Consider stimulation with cats
Like dogs, cats need stimulation through physical and mental exercise. Sagging blinds, shredded sofa cushions, and clinginess towards you indicate that your cat may suffer from separation anxiety or severe boredom. Finding the right motivation through cat toys and treats can help your cat stay active, as well as recognizing your cat’s love language.
For example, food motivated cats may be more willing to engage with a treat puzzle while cats who love to hunt may enjoy chasing a catnip mouse toy. A cat tree or secondhand furniture for your cat to use as a scratching post may also help them act on their instincts healthily while preserving your valuable furniture and sanity.
Spending more time with your cat can help relieve their anxiety, as well as consistent timed feedings. Ask your vet if a hormone diffuser such as Feliway may also help your cat regulate their emotions.
Getting help rehoming your pet
Finding a safe new home for your pet can feel overwhelming, especially if there are time parameters such as an upcoming move. Reaching out to multiple sources gives you the best chance of finding their new home quickly.
- Your vet. Whether they have a community bulletin board or spread announcements through word-of-mouth, your vet may know of a potential adopter, such as a long-time client who recently lost a pet. The best thing about this method is that your vet will often know the adopter and can vouch for their responsible character.
- Rehoming groups on social media. While Facebook banned selling and rehoming animals on Marketplace, localized rehoming and rescue groups still exist on their main site. If you go this route, be sure to thoroughly vet your potential adopters and consider charging a rehoming fee to discourage cruel illegal activities like dog fighting.
- Rescues. If your pet has medical issues, a rescue is almost always your best option. Animal Rescue Directory is a great source to find shelters and rescues. The only downside is that you lose control over who adopts your pet, and you may not have contact with their future home. If you adopted your pet from a rescue, review your contract. Some rescues require you to return your pet to them if things don’t work out.
- Create an account on Adopt a Pet. Once you create an adoption profile for your pet, you can review adoption applications. When you find your pet’s match, you can finalize the arrangement with a written contract designed to protect both parties.
Evaluate potential adopters
Screening potential adopters helps you spot red flags and prevents your pet from going to an unscrupulous home. Remember, your pet is still yours until the moment you relinquish them, and you reserve the right to say no. Trust your intuition.
Ask for a fee
A rehoming fee isn’t placing monetary value on an animal’s life. Rather, it’s a precautionary step to prove that the potential adopter is willing to make an initial commitment. No one should take an animal just because it’s “free,” and charging a rehoming fee may give someone necessary pause to reflect and make sure a pet is going to be a good decision for their lifestyle.
Create a list of questions
Ask potential adopters if they have ever owned a pet, and how they plan to care for them. You may want to ask simple things, like why they are interested in adopting your pet? Their answers can give you a clearer idea if you should move forward. For example, if they work a 60 hour job with a commute, you might ask if they’re planning on hiring a dog walker or cat sitter to check on them throughout the day.
Get references and validate
Veterinary and personal references may reveal a lot about their character. You can also ask for the medical records of their previous or current pets.
If the potential adopter rents their home, it may be a good idea to get a copy of their lease or written consent showing that their landlord allows pets.
Plan a home visit
Meet your potential adopter in a public place for the first encounter. If you feel good about moving forward, ask if you can come over to their house. In addition to maintaining a clean environment, you’ll also want to make sure they have necessary supplies such as a crate. Bring your pet with you as well so they can meet any other pets or household members.
Have documentation ready
Once you’ve decided to move forward with an adopter, prepare a written contract for you both to sign. This gives them proof that the pet now belongs to them, and affirms that they are responsible for their care. You can find examples online, like this one from an animal rescue, or create your own.
Transitioning your pet to their new home
Once your pet seems comfortable with their new home, you’ll want to leave as quickly as possible. As difficult as it may be, try not to seem upset; celebrate your pet’s new home with them and then exit as quietly as you can.
While you can ask to stay in touch, try not to visit often since this can confuse and upset your pet. Rather, ask the adopters if they’ll send you a picture of your pet or a message about them every now and then.
You’ll probably give away most of their animal care supplies, but you might want to consider keeping one or two items for old times’ sake, especially if you and your pet shared a lot of years together. They might have a new life now, but you’ll always be a special chapter in theirs, and they in yours.
Rehoming may be one of the most difficult choices pet parents ever have to make. Ultimately, it comes down to giving them their best chance, which is the highest type of love we can offer. Knowing that they’re safe with someone who cares for them will bring you comfort as well as you grieve and become acclimated to their absence.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to rehome your dog if you don’t have time for it?
High-energy dog breeds may require a couple hours a day for exercise. If you don’t have time, it’s important to be realistic about your current situation and budget limitations versus future expectations. For example, if you know you are only temporarily busy, would it be possible to hire a dog walker or ask for help to care for your dog until the situation resolves? If the lifestyle change seems permanent, it may be time to seriously weigh the costs and consider whether it’s best for your dog to try to keep them or find them another home.
Is it okay to rehome pets after having children?
Depending on the situation, sometimes rehoming is inevitable, especially if your child has pet allergies. If behavioral issues are causing the problem, talk to your vet or an animal trainer to see if the issue might be resolved through consistent training. More temporary issues like time constraints resulting from caring for a newborn may be mitigated by asking friends or other household members to help out for a while. Even if you decide rehoming is the best way forward, don’t think about it as giving up on your pet. You can still take steps to make sure they find a loving home by screening potential adopters.
Is it more humane to euthanize or rehome a senior dog?
If your dog is still eating, drinking, and getting around relatively well, it’s probably a better idea to try to rehome them. However, if your senior dog has a terminal or serious chronic illness, like cancer or kidney disease, you might consider euthanasia since their better days are behind them.
Some rescues specialize in senior dogs. Alternatively, a breed-specific rescue may be able to help your senior find a safe place to spend the remainder of their golden years.
Is it better to give up my pet to a shelter or try to find it a home myself?
If you have a puppy or kitten who isn’t spayed/neutered or up-to-date on vaccinations, it may be a better idea to surrender them to an animal shelter or rescue rather than trying to rehome them yourself. However, many shelters are over capacity, so a rescue would be ideal to make sure they aren’t euthanized due to overcrowding.
What if I need to rehome my pet quickly?
Domestic violence, unstable housing situations, and even job transitions may require you to quickly rehome your pet without warning. Knowing your pet is safe takes an enormous weight off your shoulders, but your own safety needs to be your top priority. As much as possible, reach out to your support network of family and friends to help you find a new home for their pet. They may even foster your pet if you run out of time to find a more permanent option, or until you’re on your feet enough to care for them again.
