Dog Rehoming

Giving up your dog is not a decision that should be made lightly.  Consider the REAL reasons you need dog rehoming and what is fair to your dog. When people make a commitment to a pet, it should be made with great consideration, as these dogs are vulnerable and precious.  Some of the reasons people “rehome” their dogs range from major (or even minor) behavioral issues, losing a house, moving to a place that is not pet friendly, having a baby or starting a new job.  Sometimes the death of the pet’s owner forces the family to find a new home for the dog.  It is often a very painful and complicated experience.

NEVER use a shelter or a “dog pound” as an option, even if it’s a no-kill.   If your dog has behavioral issues such as aggression, separation anxiety, or if they have bitten someone and then you turn them into a shelter, these behaviors will become worse.  They’ll be more aggressive, fearful and scared, away from you and in a loud place with barking dogs and hundreds of smells.  Strays must legally be held for the number of days as prescribed by law per state, but owner-surrendered dogs who are relinquished and immediately show signs of aggression, can be euthanized almost immediately without the “stray hold” wait.

To you your dog may be adorable, but to someone else it is just another dog among hundreds in the shelter.  If your dog is nervous or frightened, a prospective adoptive family may pass them over, and your poor pup may languish in a loud and scary place before she is euthanized for overcrowding.

It’s always a great idea to have a contingency plan in place just in case you need to find a home for your pet.  Much as you would appoint a godparent for your child should something happen to you, so should you have heartfelt discussions with several friends or relatives to ensure that you have arrangements for your pet’s care and custody, should a worst case scenarios come to fruition.

If you adopted your dog from a rescue, they likely had you sign a contract so that if there is any issue requiring you to “rehome” your dog, they will take her back.  Contact your rescue organization and see if they will allow you to foster the dog while they find it a new home, or if they will “courtesy post” the dog while you still own it.

Please do everything you can before giving up on your dog.  Contact a certified canine behaviorist who can fix behavioral issues.  Find her a new home by contacting your friends, family, colleagues or social media contacts. Please also call us at 1-855-WYATT and we can also help.  Please do not give up on your dog.