Welcome to our new website! We will be making updates for the next week or so - pardon any odd behavior in the meantime.
PG PUP
Keeping Pets and People Together
REHOMING
*If you are surrendering because you and/or your pet is unsafe in a domestic violence situation, please see the Safe Haven program. Someone will temporarily foster your pet until you are able to care for them again.
This is a judgment free zone. You are the expert on your own situation and if you think it's best to find a new home for your pet, then we'd like to help you do that in a safe way.
Something to Consider:
When pet guardians become overwhelmed and decide to rehome because of a behavioral issue, we have seen many times that even small tweaks and a little bit of training can make the home livable again. There are many resources out there for behavioral issues, financial issues, new babies, etc. Feel free to reach out if you need assistance.
STEPS TO TAKE WHEN REHOMING YOUR PET
And what NOT to do
Step Zero: GET STARTED ASAP
We cannot stress this enough. Finding a new home for your pet takes time and effort - it is not a quick fix. Creating an effective online pet bio takes time, and then finding them an adopter takes time after that. The more time you dedicate now, the better the chances of your pet finding the right home, not a home that will need to rehome again later.
Step 1: CHECK WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS
This is a really common way pets are rehomed, and this way it's someone you know and you can likely stay in touch.
Step 2: COMPILE AS MUCH INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE
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Multiple Photos
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Name
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Age
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Sex
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Breed
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Weight
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Spayed/Neutered/Intact?
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Potty trained?
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Crate trained?
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Energy level
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Their personality, things they like, don't like
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How are they with dogs/cats/kids/strangers?
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Health issues?
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Behavioral issues?
Our experience has proven that well-lit photos, videos including other pets/people, and a thorough description including all of the above bullet points gets dogs adopted faster than profiles without these details.
Explain why you're rehoming them
It's important to be as clear and honest as possible here. You want to make sure your pet's next family is the best fit possible, with the least amount of surprises.
*If you are surrendering because you and/or your pet is unsafe in a domestic violence situation, please see the Safe Haven program. Someone will temporarily foster your pet until you are able to care for them again.
List out any supplies that will be rehomed with them
It's okay if you don't have any supplies to send with to your pet's new home. If you do, potential adopters will be able to save some money on new ones!
Gather their paperwork
Veterinary/vaccination history, adoption paperwork, purchase paperwork, microchip information, etc.
DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!
It's more work up front, but massively increases the chances of successful rehoming.
Step 3: BE READY TO ASK ADOPTER SCREENING QUESTIONS
These will help you be confident that your pet is going to a good home. Copy and paste them to your Notes app!
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Is the pet for you or someone else?
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Is it okay to have pets in your home/apartment/condo?
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Have you had pets before?
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Do you have children?
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What do you plan to do if the pet does not work out for you?
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How much are you prepared to spend to take care of this pet?
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Is there anything that would make you absolutely not keep this pet?
These questions were sourced from the Humane Rescue Alliance.
Step 4: POST AND CIRCULATE
There are lots of places to post your pet to try and reach the broadest audience possible. Here are our top recommendations.
Optional: Use one of our templates to make a rehoming flier!
Pet Rehoming Websites
These sites charge a one-time posting fee, but offer a safe, secure way for potential adopters to contact you about your pet.
PG PUP Website
We keep an up-to-date list of community dogs who need rehoming, and are happy to include your pet. This page gets circulated regularly to social media groups and to our followers. If you would like your pet to be added, please contact us here and include the link to your pet's Adopt a Pet/Home-Home profile in your email.
Make a personal post about rehoming your pet! To be clear, this is not likely the best way to find an adopter directly, but it's a great place to share and have other groups spread the word. Tag us @petunityproject and we will repost to our stories.
Please use your best judgement and utilize the adoption screening questions above if you look for an adopter on Facebook. It's more trustworthy than Craigslist, but not as good as Adopt A Pet or Home-Home. Here are some FB groups you can post to:
Local Rescue Groups
Most rescues do not accept owner surrenders, but many rescues will make a "courtesy post" for your pet, to help give them exposure to people looking to adopt. Sometimes they can also help screen applicants. Please reach out to them on Facebook and Instagram once you have posted your pet!
We work closely with and recommend:
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Vindicated Pit Bull Rescue
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Adopt a Homeless Animal Rescue
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Laila's Legacy
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Lovepaws PG Rescue
DO NOT POST YOUR DOG ON SITES LIKE CRAIGSLIST AND NEXTDOOR
Sure, this has worked for some people. However, these sites are also where many dog fighters and breeders will find free dogs. The goal of such people is always to make money, and never to give the dog a happy and healthy life. Avoid the risk altogether by posting elsewhere!
Found an adopter? Congratulations!
Step 5: GET THINGS IN WRITING
See this example adoption contract. Also make sure to transfer your pet's microchip registration, if they have one!
We highly encourage a written adoption contract for any rehoming situation, even if your pet is being adopted by a family member or a friend. A contract means you know what will happen to your pet if things don't work out. The peace of mind is WORTH IT!
If you are unable to successfully find your pet a new home, and decide it's time to surrender them:
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If your pet was originally adopted from a rescue, it is worth reaching out to ask if the rescue will take them back.
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Some rescues actually include a clause in the adoption agreement requiring this in the case of rehoming!
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HOWEVER - very few rescues accept owner surrenders that did not come from the rescue originally.
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Understand that very few shelters are "no-kill," as they are typically "open intake," which is the reason that they can accept your pet in the first place!
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For more information on this, see our explainer.
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Please make sure that you do not bring your dog to a shelter that has a breed ban for your type of dog. For example, pit bulls used to be illegal in Prince George's County MD - they had a very slim chance of leaving.
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If you bring your dog to the PG County shelter, let us know! We can courtesy post their shelter listing as we are able.