Dog blog
What is Rehome Meaning for a dog, and how do you do it
It can be a tough situation that no one would ever want to be in, however, the process of rehoming your dog can be relatively straightforward if you follow our MASSIVE in-depth guide that’ll show you how to do it! ghg
What is Rehome Meaning for a dog?
Rehome Meaning for a dog means finding a new home where your dog will be safe and loved. This phrase can be used interchangeably at times for returning your dog to their breeder/shelters as is contractually required by law, though for most cases this can mean transitioning your dog from one home directly into another (through family members, trusted friends, and adoption.)
Despite how some sites will put it, rehoming a dog can be done through a variety of means, with or without the help of pet shelters, animal humane societies, or through the adoption by friends and family – with the intent being to find your dog the best suitable “home” (wherever that may be.)
What’s the difference between Rehome Meaning and selling a dog?
Rehome Meaning for a pet is about finding the best suitable home for a dog needing a home, whilst selling a dog will be about making a profit first and foremost at the cost of everything else. By United States law it is illegal to “sell” pets, with the one exception being to permit “rehoming” with a small adoption fee. This is done with the intent being to dissuade non-serious buyers.
Selling your pet without the guise of an animal organization to monitor the situation isn’t recommended – ever. However, there are rules in place to help mitigate certain situations like these to help loving dog owners find a new home for their pets.
One such aspect is the permittance of obtaining a fee for the act of rehoming a dog, over giving the pet over entirely for a fee. The one critical key difference (however small it may seem) between “selling” and “rehoming” is the fact that while you should charge to rehome your dog, profiting from this isn’t the main goal.
As stated above, the purpose of charging a small fee to rehome your dog is to dissuade non-serious buyers who want the obtain the animal for nefarious purposes. We’re not trying to make a quick buck here, the fee should be in place as a means to help better facilitate the entire process – with the goal being to interest only serious candidates who have enough resources to care for your dog in the first place.
It’s not perfect, but it’s something. Heed this important note as you go through the rest of the rehoming process.
How to rehome a dog - What are your options?
Rehome your dog to friends or family
The easiest and most efficient way to rehome your dog will be to pass him down the line of any friends or family members that you may have – this can ensure the quality of life is guaranteed to remain consistent as obviously like-minded friends and family will be able to take care of your dog much the same way you did.
Let’s crunch some numbers here:
Below is a table detailing the percentage of dogs that have been adopted through various channels in the U.S.
| Adoption Outlets | Dog's adopted in the U.S. |
|---|---|
| Animal Shelter/Humane Society | 23% |
| Friends/ Relatives | 20% |
| Breeders | 34% |
| Strays | 6% |
According to APPA (American Pets Products Association 2015-2016), approximately 40% of all U.S. pet owners learned about their pets through word of mouth. And as you can tell from the list above, “friends/relatives” account for a large part of the list of those who have gotten their dogs through their friends and family.
Discussing your dog’s needs with friends and family will often be the fastest way to rehome a dog.
Rehome a dog through a breed rescue
If your dog is purebred or even “partly purebred” then likely there will be purebred dog rescue organizations that will be able to assist you in finding homes for those breeds.
Purebred dog organizations were born out of concerns for “fancier” dogs of various breeds being left homeless and/or abandoned, and so it is their sole job to help provide them with finding new homes.
Fancy, huh?
To find one, simply search online to locate your breed’s rescue for your state, reach out, and explain to them the whole situation. Most will accept surrenders with little resistance, however, it’s best if you provide substantial information on your dog to ensure they get the full picture scope.
They’ll also likely want to help you even more if can make a small donation to the rescue group (as these groups are run by dedicated volunteers.)
Here’s an article to petfinder.com that goes over the issue of “breed rescuing” if you have any lingering questions.
Rehome your dog through a local foster-based all-breed private rescue
What if your dog is not purebred? Well, fear not, for simple volunteer-run “all-breed” rescue organizations still run plenty, ensuring any dog you have will get the same opportunity as all the rest.
All breed private rescues are a great option as they will guarantee that your dog will never end up in a kennel, rather they’ll get to live in a home from day one.
This can include websites dedicated to helping mitigate your rehoming problems and solutions by working in tangent with available breeders, vets, and organizations dedicated to helping you and your dog.
One of the easiest ways to rehome your dog will be through the use of such websites RuffRuff.com where we’ll be able to streamline the process between your dog and his next home.
Click here for the next immediate steps to rehoming your dog ASAP through our step-by-step website!
Allbreedrescuevt.org is another option to consider one such non-profit rescue organization that will be able to help you out, as they have been doing for +20 years. Over the years they’ve grown their vast network of volunteers, fosters, and supporters to lengths end – all this to ensure that your dog will be the 8,001 “customer” that they successfully help.
Rehome your dog through website listings
This can be a lot of work depending on how you market your dog, the online space you choose to invest your time in, and the responses based on that particular group who happen to use that website.
Easy examples might be through the use of social sites like Reddit, Facebook, Twitter, and/or popular forums.
We recommended sticking to local community groups on sites like Facebook, as this will allow you to better pick groups closer to your area interested in procuring a dog. This is important, as its always recommended to avoid handing your dog to strangers outright (through social media or otherwise.)
Finding like-minded individuals within areas of your community (in person or through community online groups) will allow you to better investigate interested buyers, lessening the chances that your dog ends up rehoming with a “psycho” (for lack of a better word.)
Phew! Advertising your dog is alot of work, especially online – good thing your dog already has an awesome profile, eh?
Rehome your dog through a No-Kill shelter
This is not the greatest option, but if all else fails then this could be your best bet.
Though we must clarify certain misconceptions between kill, and no-kill shelters. No-kill shelters can remain a “no-kill” establishment due to strict housing caps that they enforce on their quota of animals received.
They have the luxury of not needing to put down animals as they simply refuse incoming animals when their housing limit is reached, whereas “kill-shelters” do their best to accept every animal that enters through their doors (leading to overcrowding and inevitable “deaths” to help curb the population.)
This is important as it’s something to consider if you decide to rehome your dog in a “no-kill” shelter, as much of them will remain near capacity at all times, meaning you may have to venture out of town (or even state) to find one available.
This is by far the slowest rehoming option.
If you do have problems with the concept of “kill-shelters”, then perhaps consider adopting an adorable rescue dog through our site right here which will help you find lovable dogs local to your area.
To help convince you of the awesomeness of rescue dogs, check out our full-depth article on the subject right here.
For most of these options, you’ll need to arrange a profile of sorts to help best sell your dog’s personality and charm to the most loving family out there. Below we’ll show you how to create the best online profile for your dog, from how to take their pictures, to creating their bio, and everything in between!
How to rehome your dog? Developing your pets online profile
Take an outdoor photo of your dog with a wide aperture lens
An image is worth a thousand words, and first impressions in this case will be the only thing that matters in helping potential viewers decide within that split second if they want to peruse your dog’s profile even further – so take a damn good picture.
Why outdoors? Well like we said imagery is everything, so you might as well use every trick in the photographer’s handbook to help make your dog’s case.
According to conversely.com natural light can drastically impact the feel of a photograph – such an example would be using the sun to help capture a more fun and energetic photo of your puppy, etc.
The backdrop of your photo will help also help influence viewers as to how they will associate the background to the foreground of the main subject. This basically means “how you frame the background of your dog will make your dog look better by association.”
Images of nature often convey feelings of calmness and tranquility, and so your best bet will be to use it to you and your dog’s advantage.
Here’s a link to contrastly.com that will go further into detail on the benefits of using natural light for your photos (and in this case using it for your dog.)
why the need for a wide aperture lens?
Well, using a wide aperture lens will help create a shallow depth of field, blurring out anything in the forefront or background of your main subject.
Remember that you need to make your dog the star of the show, and whilst situating your dog along the backdrops of nature will help frame your pet, it should not take the attention away from your pet.
Using a wide aperture lens will help blur out any and all distractions, leaving only your pet to stand out for themselves. We recommend shooting with either an F/1.4 lens or an F/1.8 lens.
And do your best to try and get his eyes towards the camera for a more compelling profile shot.
This link to vetstreet.com will tell you everything you need to know to take the best photo of your dog.
Prepare a concise bio of your pet with a killer first sentence
Creating a bio for your pet is much like writing good copy, and in this case, you’ll want your copy to sell, right?
Prospective buyers will not only expect the qualifying prerequisites (up-to-date vaccines etc.) but also will look to be “sold” on the idea of having a pet. Something alluring and/or unique that will set their purchase away from the rest of everybody else’s purchase.
In this case, this “purchase” will be your dog, so make sure to land them with a show-stopping first sentence that will captivate their attention the moment their eyes reach your dog’s profile.
Here’s what a killer first sentence should NOT look like: Desodo is a 3-year-old neutered male German Shepherd mix with white markings and up to date on vaccinations.
While you should include all relevant information, they’ll be plenty of time to reveal this later down the page. The first line should only be focused on garnering attention, that’s it.
Here’s what a killer first sentence COULD look like: “Are they gonna like? Oh goodness, I hope so. Do you think they’ll like my floppy ears?”
As you can see, some creativity will be needed to pique their interest. Don’t be afraid to get creative and cute.
How to write a killer first sentence: Look to your dog’s eyes and say something true about him, something about his character and who he is. Maybe your dog is prideful or maybe your dog loves unconditionally – this could reflect in how your write your first line.
Examples of this could be:
- “Timmy loves you already, and you’ve only met through a photo” (If you see unconditional admiration in your dog’s eyes.)
- “‘I’ll watch you watch tv if you let me cuddle in your lap, deal?’ Timmy loves Netflix!” (if your dog is a bag of lazybones.)
Simply add a little creativity to your first line and profile and this will already set your doggo apart from the rest.
After that is when you may begin to address the more critical aspects of your dog, including its health, and any such health conditions he/she may have (if any.) Also, remember to list all types of training your dog has had (house/crate/obedience training), and mention if and how your dog gets along with strangers (babies, other animals, children, etc.)
Vaccinations also must be reported and up to date, including making sure your dog is flea and tick free, and hopefully also sprayed and/or neutered.
Click here to find the nearest veterinarians in your area in one swift motion!
Be honest and disclose and all aspects of your pet (positive and negative)
Whilst you should captivate the reader in the beginning parts of your dog’s profile, at some point you’ll have to disclose the “truth” about your pet, which includes all positive and negative aspects. Full disclosure is strongly recommended as this will only help you match your pet with the best possible candidates who not only will love him but will also be accepting of any peculiar traits that your furry friend may possess.
Failure to not be honest may result in a mismatch between your dog and their new owners – which could lead to his removal (and leave you with no control as to how to handle the fallout.)
Like a friend who you call your “number 1”, finding new owners will be much like finding your dog a new “best friend”, so do your best to ensure you snuff out the person/family best suited to your dog’s personality.
With a killer profile out of the way and nothing else to potentially hold your dog back, let’s go over the top ways to rehome your dog, from most practical to least practical.
Who needs to rehome a dog?
Unfortunately, there is a myriad of situations that could call on someone for needing to rehome their dog, with some being more valid than others. Rehoming a dog may indeed be for you if your situation mirrors the examples below.
Your dog is a threat to an individual within the household, community, or itself
This often involves aggressive behavior on the dog’s part, but not always. Such examples could involve situations with children, where the dog refuses to cohabit the household peacefully through displays of serious rowdiness and/or aggression towards the child.
Of course rehoming should never be an immediate response, however after a certain point will come the question of child safety, and this is when considerations like rehoming a dog should come into play.
In cases of misbehavior and/or aggression, first and foremost you should seek advice – with the help of online resources(link to purina.co.uk) or through expert help (link to thumbtack.com where you can locate the top obedience schools near you.)
In cases of children, if you suspect tension and/or anything less than unconditional love between your dog and the child, preventive measures should be taken immediately by separating the dog and child – at least until you can decide a proper course of action.
But don’t assume that with the help of some training your dog won’t be able to assimilate once again into your household, as good management can often lead to minimizing dangers present whilst the child grows and the dog matures (learning good manners in the process.)
I also can recommend seeking advice from your dog’s vet, as this can be a great way to get an expert’s opinion, as well as ask questions on recommendations for training schools they might know of, etc.
Older folk are another demographic group to whom rehoming may pertain to. Older individuals who bought a puppy for the sake of owning a pet, only to realize later on that there’re not as young as they used to be…
This may seem comedic, but in certain situations, this can be very serious. Some breeds are much more demanding of their owners, requiring more energy out of them. In cases like these, rehoming could be a solid option.
Two or more dogs are seriously fighting
Dogs have squabbles…that’s not a problem. The concern will be during times of serious rough play, or knock-down-drag-out encounters where one or more canine members could be placed at serious risk for injury. You’ll likely be able to recognize the difference.
This potentially dire situation could be further exacerbated between two breeds of vastly differing sizes, as you can imagine how disadvantaged the smaller breed would be in this situation.
Another important note to know if you do have two dogs of differing sizes – is the issue of predatory drift.
According to pethelpful.com “predatory drift” is a glitch in a dog’s prey drive which causes a dog to display predatory behavior.
In cases of two different-sized breeds cohabitating, a cause for rehoming could be in order if constant rough play is had at the smaller dogs’ expense, as – due to factors like predatory drift as well as many more – your smaller dog’s life could be at stake.
The dog has health problems and/or the owner cannot afford any of it
Quality of life is the main driving force behind all of this, and unfortunately sh*t happens. This isn’t always a cause to rehome your dog, but at the same time if you cannot afford to care for it due to monetary expenses…well then you can’t really do much can you?
This situation isn’t as common as other factors, but having a dog is an expense. And having one live well with the best care can easily cost thousands of dollars as time passes.
And we’re not even including if they get sick, which will no doubt cost even more.
For such examples, you need to think about the quality of life you can provide for your dog, and whether or not it in fact may be in the dog’s best interest to get rehomed instead.
This is not a decision to be taken lightly, nor should you find any reason to simply give up your pet, but when your dog’s quality of life is put into question, you need to have the foresight to do what’s ultimately best for your dog.
The owner’s quality of life is seriously affected (either due to health reasons or otherwise that hampers their ability to effectively care for the dog) is another reason when rehoming should be considered.
Positives and negatives of rehoming your dog
Positives:
- Contrary to popular opinion, rehoming your dog can be the most responsible thing to do. Countless strays and shelter dogs are where they are because their owner left with little to no concern for their wellbeing. By taking the time to find them a new home you afford them with more chances to not end up like those strays.
- You get to have a say in who takes your dog! This is a part of the process that often is forgotten by many. Rehoming a dog allows you to take control of who your dog’s next owner is, ensuring their wellbeing is entrusted by those you deem responsible enough to handle them.
What could be even cooler is if your chosen family member could send pics of your dog over the years, as a nice little remembrance treat for you.
Negatives:
- The process to rehome your dog will involve a lot of work. Much of the process will involve paperwork, background checks, and matching procedures (if the dog is to be rehomed with someone outside your immediate circle.) Screening interested “buyers” should be vetted as best as possible, making sure to check as well if their personality matches your dog’s if they have the means to accommodate him, and by remembering to document the entire situation, including the transference of ownership papers (if any.)
- Losing a best friend. Heartbreak will likely ensue, as the final days of the process will no doubt be hard. However, take solace in knowing that if you do it all right, your best friend will be with another family who’ll love him just as much as you do.
If you’re nervous about the emotional aftermath of such an endeavor, a post by blossomgtips.com called How to Cope With Grief After Rehoming Your Dog should clear up any wavering thoughts that you may have.
Can you temporarily rehome your dog?
Rehoming can be a very stressful experience for a dog, because of this it’s strongly recommended that you never rehome your dog unless you have to and that the decision should be a permanent one to not stress your dog out even further.
It’s very common for dogs to undergo severe bouts of depression and anxiety, therefore this decision should not be taken lightly.
Rehoming should not be confused with “lending” your dog to your neighbor or friend if you have to go on a short trip, as that is an entirely different thing. The act of rehoming itself should only ever be reserved as a last resort when you cannot care for your dog anymore at all.
Puppy tip: If it’s a matter of not being there enough for your dog, in reality (all things considered) your dog would be better served if he remained at his original household, even if that meant spending less time with you.
How long does it take to rehome a dog?
The fastest way to rehome your dog will be through a “kill shelter” due to their policy of accepting all animals without restriction, including any age, in any condition of health, and without any behavioral requirements – no appointment needed.
Though in reality, leaving your dog at a kill shelter will only rid you of your legal rights towards your dog the fastest, as even then this method of rehoming will not guarantee your dog a new home past the shelter.
If we’re being honest…your dog might very well die at the shelter, as this is the sad reality of kill-shelters due to their overcrowding problems as a direct result of their open admission policy.
We didn’t include kill-shelters as one of the options to rehome your dog as frankly, this is the worst option you could pick due to stated reasons up above, and is one option that we cannot endorse.
Costs of rehoming a dog
The costs of rehoming your dog will cost between $50-$150 in typical fees, with higher costs associated with purebreds and larger breeds. You should also factor in transport costs which if done through public organizations could add on an additional $0-$100 in costs, $200-$500 in costs through shipping, and between $200-$1000 in additional costs depending on the breed and location of delivery.
Airfare figures here are calculated for domestic flights and were provided by Petrelocation.com
These figures are highly dependent on the type of breed, and the location of package delivery. But if we’re talking about rehoming your dog across a few states then it shouldn’t cost more than $500.
The costs begin to increase dramatically when we start talking about transporting bigger dogs across further lengths (like outside the country.)
What questions to ask potential pet adopters?
You should always be wary when rehoming your dog, especially if it’s not through an organization, as you must also use your “detective skills” to figure who can and shouldn’t care for your dog.
- Ask the potential adopter about where they live: Do they own, or are they renting? House or apartment? Do they know if their landlord allows pets? What about a back garden? What about a front garden? Is it fenced? If not, ask how the potential owners plan to keep the dog from leaving the property?
Should you charge or rehome your dog for free?
Unless you rehome your dog to friends and family whom you trust with your life, never rehome your dog for free.
As stated earlier, the reason for charging a fee will be to help curb the oddball bunch of strange folk who may take advantage of the opportunity for a free dog. The world is full of crazies and you need to know who you’re dealing with, this is why you are better off charging a fee than not doing so at all.
According to Adopt-a-Pet.com, you should charge a minimum of $50 to rehome your dog. If you want the buyer to demonstrate a willingness to be able to care for your pet, consider charging more.
A lot of other factors should also be taken into account such as type of pet, age of the pet, etc. as the $50 fee is a very general number.
Typical rehoming fees can range from $50-$150, though purebreds may command a higher fee.
Do you need to transfer medical records when rehoming a dog?
Yes it is advised to give/receive the medical records of the dog when rehoming him, as this is one of the many ways to prove ownership rights to your pet, this is also recommended to do as this will allow the new owner of the dog to have insight into your dog’s medical history (including necessary information on any allergies the dog may have, and/or serious health problems that need further addressing.)
“Hey! That’s my dog!” – Or is it?
We take for granted that a pet we buy inherently belongs to us, but who says? Well, the law for one, hence the need for legal documentation to prove that you own what you say you own.
One of the methods to prove ownership of a pet will be through acquiring their medical records (one of many things needed for legal purposes.) It is also advisable in general to keep copies of health records, including any post-visit reports, records of any past surgeries, your pet’s medical needs, medications, and if they have any special disabilities.
Remember, your vet may not be allowed to release these documents without your permission should someone else need them, so be sure to make copies of your pet’s health records when transferring ownership rights to a new owner.
If you do this through an organization or website like ours right here you will not necessarily be required to add in your dog’s health information if you choose not to do so. However, this may negatively affect the perception of your dog towards potential adopters.
For rehoming purposes, you’ll likely need your dog’s medical records for anywhere other than the kill shelter – but again it’s highly recommended that you keep copies of your pet’s medical papers regardless.
Should new owners use the same vet when rehoming a dog?
It is advisable to use the same vet after your dog has been rehomed – as like medical practitioners in general – a vet over time will get to know their patients more intimately which will benefit both parties. Though it is not required so long as you maintain a thorough record of your dog’s medical files and provide them to the new rehomed owners of your dog.
Ultimately we’re doing this because we care about our pets, therefore you should keep medical records regardless of which rehoming route you take. This can also ensure that your dog’s new rehomed family won’t be starting at a disadvantage in regards to knowing the intimacies of your dog’s health.
So just give them the medical records either way and take it from there.
What if the new owners live in a different area?
It shouldn’t matter whether the new rehoming recipients of your dog live nearby or not, however, what may be a cause for concern will be transporting your dog. The adoptive family in question should be able to pick up your dog (as they are paying for the pleasure of rehoming your dog), or if that’s not possible then you can try opting for pet transportation and relocation services.
Many volunteer pet transport services use “multi-leg transports” meaning that there is usually several volunteers per transport and that each volunteer drives or more legs. Pet adoption transport relocation services are commonly used for owners when receiving pets as these services are available all over the U.S.
Transportation options to rehome your dog (road, sea, air)
Below are all the available transportation services available around the U.S. as of currently. Please note that this listing is NOT an endorsement or recommendation. We have not checked them all out. Even if we tried to, management policies could suddenly change. Therefore we suggest that you do your own research before looking into each one of these services.
General pet transport:
Area-specific transport:
Breed-Specific Transport:
Local pet transport services:
It is common for most cities to have some sort of version of “pet taxi” businesses that transport pets locally. Try searching within your area.
Paid Moving Companies:
- PetRelocation.com
- WorldPettravel.com
- UndergroundRailroad.org
- PreciousPetsTransport.com
- CarolinaBabiesDogTransport.com
- Roadie.com
Paid Air Transport:
International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA) – This site has a list of companies that assist with air transport.
International Transport:
Should you visit your dog after you’ve rehomed him?
You should not visit your dog after he has been rehomed, as this will only further prolong the grieving period. For a dog the readjustment period can take time, ranging anywhere from days to months on end (depending on the dog’s prior circumstances.) Your dog will take time to adjust to their new surroundings, which for them may or may not be easy to simply reset.
This is the worst idea as far as “ex pet owner” ideas go. According to Cutness.com there is anecdotal evidence to suggest that dogs remember their previous owners, with the likelihood only increasing if their past relationships were that of a positive one.
And this makes sense if you think about it. Dogs are already known for being an animal above the rest when it comes to brain capacity and their ability to learn. Dog’s have around 500 million neurons in their noggin (twice as many as cats and sharks funny enough.)
Your dog’s intelligence is comparable to that of a 3-4-year-old baby. And so while it may not be likely that your old “baby” will actively pine for you (over their new owners), it’s best if you try to limit your interactions with your old dog after you’ve rehomed him.
Also visiting your dog after rehoming should only be allowed if you’ve already made an informal agreement with the new owners. However, if your dog was rehomed through a shelter or rescue, these organizations may already have rules in place about disruption. So make sure to check the surrender agreement and adoption agreement.
What if you change your mind about rehoming after you’ve already rehomed?
Most adoptions contracts will indicate a short grace period (usually up to 3 days) that will grant the old owner of the pet time to re-make their mind up about their dog’s surrender. After this time you will automatically be relinquished of all your legal rights and privileges to be anywhere near the dog (that is if a contract was made beforehand.)
It is also advisable to sign a contract between both parties in the process of your dog’s rehoming even if everything is done outside of an organization – as this is what will actually grant the new owner the rights to the dog.
