Month: January 2024

What Does It Mean to Surrender a Chihuahua?

What does it mean to surrender a Chihuahua? As the word implies, it means that you give up all rights to the pet and no longer have any input as far as what happens to the dog. Surrendering a Chihuahua to a shelter is often the first choice of those who can no longer keep their pets, but there are other options that let you have a say in the final outcome and improve the chances of a smooth transition for your pet.

The Problems with Surrendering Your Chihuahua 

The truth is that most shelters try very hard to find homes for all the dogs in their care, but the sad reality is that it’s just not always possible. When you consider the sheer number of dogs that are surrendered, it’s easy to see why it’s sometimes an impossible task.

Another thing to think about is how your dog will react to shelter life. Chihuahuas (and other small dogs) in particular often have a very hard time. This makes them act fearful and aggressive, and that makes it even more difficult for them to be adopted.

A Better Way 

Instead of surrendering a Chihuahua, more and more pet owners are rehoming dogs themselves. This allows the pet owner to retain control over where the dog ends up, and this gives him the best chance of happiness in his new home.

Not sure where to get started? Most pet owners aren’t. The good news is that there are plenty of resources to help you throughout the process from start to finish.

Since no one can adopt your Chihuahua if they don’t know he’s available, finding ways to advertise is key. Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com is a great resource that provides valuable information and expert advice and also allows you to create a profile for your pet that can be easily found by potential adopters.

While it may take some time to find a great home, the peace of mind you’ll have knowing you did what was best for your pet will be well worth the time and effort! 

Do You Have to Pay to Rehome a Rottweiler?

If you need to rehome your rottweiler, you will not have to pay a rehoming fee in most cases, but it really depends on how you go about rehoming your dog. If you take him to a shelter, there is usually a surrender fee that ranges between $50 and $150. If you work with a private rescue, the fees vary from $0 to whatever the rescue chooses to charge. If you rehome your dog yourself, you should actually charge and adoption fee.

It’s important to understand the various options before deciding the best way to rehome your dog.

Paying to Surrender Your Dog

Many people don’t realize that they’ll have to pay a surrender fee when they bring their dog to a shelter or a rescue. These facilities charge these fees to help provide funding to keep their operations running. The cost of the surrender fees will vary based on a range of factors including the location of the facility. You’ll want to get in touch with them to learn the cost.

Paying When Adopting from a Shelter or Rescue

Not only do the shelters and recuses charge surrender fees, but they also charge adoption fees. These can vary just as widely. You can expect fees to be at least $50, but they could be $150 or more. Again, it can be based on factors such as the location, the age of your dog, etc.

Why Are Rehoming and Adoption Fees Needed?

Some might be wondering why fees are charged for rehoming and adoption. After all, they might think that these are dogs that need homes, so they should be given to anyone who will take them. However, this becomes risky for the dogs. The rehoming and adoption fees help to ensure that there aren’t any people with bad intentions getting their hands on the dogs.

Some people look for free animals online so they can use them as bait animals for fighting dogs. Others look for free animals that they can then sell to labs. The fees help to cut down on this because those people won’t be making a profit off the dogs.

When Do You Not Need Fees?

Is there ever a time where you wouldn’t need to charge an adoption fee when you’re finding a new home for your dog? The only time you probably won’t charge a fee for rehoming would be when you already know the people and you’re sure they’ll take great care of her. Just make sure that they’re truly the best home for her.

Consider Using Rehome

If you’re an owner who needs to give up their rottweiler, and you don’t know anyone who is looking to adopt, then look into using Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com. This is a safe and simple platform that allows owners to create profiles for their dog, including photos and videos. You can add all of the most important information about your dog to the profile so adopters can determine whether she might be a good option for them or not. As an owner listing a dog, you won’t have to pay anything. And, when your pet’s profile is complete, it will be uploaded onto the Adopt-a-Pet.com website for millions of potential adopters to see.

Those who want to adopt a dog will pay a small adoption fee that’s similar to what would be paid for adoption at a shelter or a rescue, and your dog will soon be on his way to a loving new home. 

How Do You Calm An Aggressive Dog?

The first step to calm an aggressive dog is understanding what triggers the aggression. It could be anything from pain to frustration or fear to redirected aggression. Just like some humans are more aggressive than others, the same is true for dogs—but one thing is true for all: No matter the size of the dog or the level of aggression, you must find effective ways to stop the behavior in order to protect your dog and the people and animals around him. While you work on finding a solution, keep your dog physically separated from any aggression triggers, other pets, children, and people until the issue can be addressed.

Reasons Dogs Are Aggressive 

In the wild, aggression is necessary for dogs’ survival. An aggressive dog isn’t bad, but that behavior does need to be modified. If you can figure out the reason for your dog’s aggression, you’ll be better able to find a resolution. Some of the reasons for dog aggression include:

  • Protecting Himself or His Pack – Some dogs are extremely protective of the other animals and humans in their pack. While this is good in some circumstances, some dogs become aggressive if anyone even approaches their humans.
  • Protecting His Den – Does your dog run along the fence line barking at passerby in a menacing way? Does the barking stop once the person is past your fence? That is your dog protecting his den. He’s not interested at all in the person—as long as that person moves along.
  • Protecting His Food or Toys – Food aggression is common in dogs who didn’t get enough to eat at some point in their lives. A food-aggressive dog who is normally docile will turn into Cujo if anyone approaches him when he’s eating. This same type of possession aggression can also apply to favorite toys or beds.
  • Redirected Aggression – If a dog can’t reach the target of his aggression, for example a strange dog being walked on a leash, he may turn on whatever dog or human he can reach. This type of aggression often comes as a shock as the dog may attack a dog he has lived with peacefully for years.
    Other reasons for redirected aggression include fear, predatory reasons, and sexual frustration. Another thing to keep in mind is that a normally docile dog who suddenly becomes aggressive could be in pain due to an undetected medical condition, so get your dog to the vet as soon as possible.

Once you figure out the reason for the aggression, you can begin to work with your vet or an animal behaviorist. It is important to note that if your dog displays low levels of aggression, like growling for example, correcting the behavior may lead to more aggressive behavior next time. This is because your dog realized he was punished for growling and could escalate to a more aggressive behavior in the future. Training can still be very helpful to work on mild aggression, but punishment may not be the solution.

Aggression is one of the top reasons pet owners rehome their dogs, but with the right intervention, you can put a stop to this behavior and keep your pet in your home. 

Can You Live with a Cat If You are Allergic?

You can live with a cat if you are allergic, unless you have severe allergies. In fact, thousands of people with allergies do live with their feline friends. Some who only have mild symptoms just put up with the symptoms or treat them with over-the-counter medicine. Those with moderate symptoms often seek help from a doctor who may prescribe prescription medications.

Does A Cat Allergy Mean I’ll Be Allergic To All Cats? 

If you love cats and have allergies, you might be hoping you can find a cat to which you’re not allergic. So, is that possible? Not technically. Cat allergies are caused by pet dander and saliva, so if you’re allergic to cats, then you’re probably allergic to all cats.

But there is some good news.

Some breeds of cats produce less dander, which means they may only trigger very mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. While no cat is 100% hypoallergenic, the following breeds are among those that make a good choice for people with allergies.*

  • Sphynx
  • Cornish Rex
  • Oriental
  • Devon Rex
  • Russian Blue
  • Siberian
  • Bengal 

If you suspect you have a cat allergy, confirm it with an allergist. It’s possible to mistake a cat allergy for other types of allergies since the symptoms are so similar. Whatever the results are, don’t panic. In many cases, it’s possible to continue living with your feline family member.

*If you’re allergic and are considering adopting one of the cats listed above, it’s important to spend time around them first. This will avoid having to rehome a pet if it turns out they give you a worse-than-expected reaction. 

Can You Leave Money To An Animal?

You cannot leave money to an animal in your will, but you can set up a trust to ensure they are taken care of after your death. The reason you can’t leave them money is because they are considered property, and you can’t leave property to other property. The good news is that the trust option allows you to make plans for your pet in which you can specify exactly how they are to be cared for.

Basics Of A Pet Trust 

In order to set up a trust for your pet, you’ll need to:

  • Specify a dollar amount to be set aside for their care
  • Write specific instructions for their care
  • Choose a caretaker who will take custody of the pets upon your death 

The Money

To figure out how much to leave in the trust, you’ll need to estimate how much their annual care costs and multiply by the number of years they are likely to live. It’s better to overestimate here as you can also specify where any leftover money goes upon the pets’ deaths.

The Instructions

When it comes to writing instructions, you’ll want to be specific to ensure your pets get the same type of care you’re giving him now. This should include what type of food they get, how far to go with medical interventions, types of play and exercise they should get, etc…

The Caretaker

The most important decision is your choice of caretaker. This is the person the pets will live with, and they will access the money in the trust for the pet’s care. Choose someone you know you can trust and depend on to be kind to your pets for the rest of their lives. 

While you can’t make your pets rich by leaving them your money, you can at least ensure they are cared for in the manner you’d like. 

How Do I Give Up My Australian Shepherd?

You can give up your Australian Shepherd in several different ways if you find that you’re no longer able to care for them for one reason or another. While no one likes the idea of needing to give up their dog, it can happen. There could be a financial crisis that makes it impossible to care for her, or you might have to move into a new home that doesn’t allow pets, for example.

Shelters and Rescues

When you’re giving up your dog, the shelter should always be the last option you consider. Even though shelters want to care for the dogs properly, they won’t always have enough room or resources. Even healthy and well-behaved pets aren’t guaranteed an adoption at these facilities. This means that some pets are euthanized to make more space in the shelter.

Another way to give up your Australian Shepherd is to find a rescue organization in your area. Of course, many people who can no longer keep their dogs bring them to rescues, so these organizations are often full. If there is space, though, this could be a good option since the facilities will keep the dogs until they are adopted.

Do You Know Someone Who Wants to Adopt a Dog?

You might know someone who is looking to adopt a dog. This could be a family member, a friend, or a friend of a friend, for example. Perhaps they’ve been talking about wanting to get a pet. Even if no one has mentioned it, you can let your loved ones know that you need to give up your Australian Shepherd. Someone might be willing to adopt your dog.

Of course, even though you might know the family where your dog would be going, you still need to be sure it’s the right fit. You’ll want to make sure they will be able to provide your Australian Shepherd with the exercise, care, and love that is needed for a happy and healthy dog.

Rehoming Your Dog

There is also the option of rehoming when you have to give up your Australian Shepherd. In these cases, you will work to find a home that’s right for your dog with people that you don’t know. However, this doesn’t mean that you should simply give your dog away to a family, or that you should list your pet on a site like Craigslist. You need to know who these people are, and it can be difficult to screen them. You could be putting your dog into a bad situation if you aren’t careful.

Instead, use Rehome, a peer-to-peer platform through Adopt-a-Pet.com. This is a simple to use site that lets you put up a profile for your pet complete with pictures, videos, and a bio. When someone adopts your Australian Shepherd, you can even upload and send them the medical records.
The potential adopters will fill out an application, which you can then review. This gives you more control over finding the perfect new forever home for your dog. 

What is the Fastest Way to Rehome a Yorkie?

The fastest way to rehome a Yorkie would be to bring him to a shelter. However, this does not mean that the fastest way is the best way. It’s important to consider what all of your options are and what the best choice will be for your dog. Below, we’ll look at some of the various choices for rehoming.

The Shelter

Because it tends to be the fastest way to rehome, it’s often one of the first options people consider. Shelters won’t let you simply drop your Yorkie off on their doorstep, though. You need to get in touch with the shelter and talk with them about their procedures, and the cost of the surrender fee. The fee will generally be between $50 and $100, but this varies based on location and other factors, such as the age of your dog. They’ll then set up an appointment for you if you choose this route.

When you surrender your Yorkie, you’re giving up your legal rights to your dog. He’ll go into the shelter and wait to be adopted. However, you do have to keep in mind that not all dogs that go to the facility will be adopted, even though the shelter tries its best.

The Rescue

Another option for rehoming that has the potential to be fast is a rescue. Rescues will often have surrender fees, as well. Shelters will keep dogs until they have been adopted, which means they’re a popular option for rehoming. However, this also means that they often fill up quickly, so there may not be space for your Yorkie. Still, it’s worth trying if you don’t have other options.

People You Know Could Adopt

Another way to rehome your Yorkie relatively quickly is to ask friends and family if they’re willing to adopt. You might know someone who is looking to adopt a dog, and they could be a nice fit for your Yorkie. Allowing someone that you already trust and know can take care of him will make you feel better about rehoming. Of course, not everyone knows someone who is considering adopting a dog. Fortunately, there are still other options to consider.

Consider Using Rehome

Rehoming your Yorkie on your own through online sites is also possible. You want to stay away from places like Craigslist and Facebook, though, because you have no control over who is on those sites looking for animals, and you don’t know their intentions. Instead, choose a site that’s meant specifically for adoption, such as Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com.

This site helps connect pet parents who need to rehome their dogs with potential adopters. It’s free for the owners to use, and those who adopt will only have to pay a small rehoming fee, which goes back to helping more animals get adopted.
As the owner, you’ll create a profile for your Yorkie, complete with images and videos, if you would like. Adopters can then see your pet’s profile on Adopt-a-Pet.com and fill out an adoption application straight from your dog’s bio. You’ll be able to review the applications on your dashboard and get tips on how to choose the right adopter; giving you the chance to find the perfect new home for your Yorkie. 

What Does It Mean to Surrender a Beagle?

When you surrender your beagle, it means you are giving up your legal rights to her to the shelter. Once you make this decision and fill out the paperwork, you won’t be able to take it back later. This is a big decision to make, so you must know what it entails, as well as some alternatives that you should try before resorting to a shelter.

Going to a Shelter

One of the first things to know is that you can’t just walk into the shelter and surrender your beagle. Typically, the shelter will require that you make an appointment first. When you contact the shelter, they will ask why you need to surrender your dog. This is because they want to provide you with resources and alternatives to surrendering him.

This could be ideas to help with behavioral issues, names of trainers or classes, help to find cheap spaying and neutering services, etc. The shelter wants to exhaust all possibilities before taking in another dog. You may find that the resources they provide could help make it possible for you to keep your beagle, which is what most owners truly want.

If you don’t have any other alternatives, you can set up an appointment with the shelter. At this point, you bring in your beagle, surrender and sign the paperwork, and pay the fee. The fee for surrendering an animal differs based on many factors, such as the location of the shelter. You should ask the shelter the cost when you talk with them on the phone.

Going to a Rescue

A rescue could be a better option to consider than a shelter. Many shelters today still euthanize animals, but this does not happen at a rescue. When you bring your dog to a rescue, it’s likely that you’ll also have to pay a fee. This goes to helping care for the animals at their facility. However, many rescues are already at maximum capacity, so it’s often difficult to find a local rescue.

Better Options to Consider

Shelters and rescues are not the only places to give up your animal. Other options are even better. For example, you might know someone in your family who is looking to adopt a dog. They might already know and love your beagle, so this could be a perfect solution.

There are also free adoption sites online, such as Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com. This is a peer-to-peer platform that provides you with a way to put your dog’s information in front of a large number of potential adopters. The site lets owners fill out a profile for their dog, as well as upload photos and videos. A good profile will help adopters find your beagle. They can then fill out application forms, which you can examine to find the best option for your dog.

Rehoming your dog helps to ensure that they get a good home. Knowing your beagle is safe and loved will give you peace of mind.

What is Considered Excessive Dog Barking?

Excessive barking is barking that interferes with the peace or comfort of a person. That may seem vague, but the truth is the amount of barking that will prompt action varies by location, so there is no hard and fast rule about how much or how loud barking must be to be considered excessive. If you’ve noticed your dog barking a lot or if neighbors have complained, it’s time to take action to try to stop the excessive barking.

Curbing Excessive Dog Barking 

Dogs bark, so it’s not reasonable to expect them to stop barking entirely. Unfortunately, some people have neighbors who will call the landlord or summon animal control at the first sign of a “woof.” In that case, you’ll probably have to deal with your neighbor rather than the dog. If, however, you acknowledge the barking is a bit much, there are some things you can try to curb that excess barking:

  • A Change of Scenery: If you normally crate your pet, try leaving him loose in a room. If you normally leave him outside, try leaving him inside.
  • Exercise, Exercise, Exercise: A bored dog is often a barking dog. One way to alleviate boredom is to provide plenty of opportunities for exercise every day. This could be long walks, running off steam at the dog park, or spending a few hours at doggy daycare.
  • Rule Out Anxiety: Anxiety is one very common reason for excessive barking, and it won’t get better on its own. In fact, if left untreated, it will likely get worse. If you think your dog is suffering from anxiety, see your vet or an animal behaviorist right away. 

 If you’ve received complaints, let the involved parties know that you are actively working on a solution. Excessive barking is a common reason people rehome their pets, but with the right help, most dogs’ excessive barking can be curbed. 

How Come My Cat Won’t Use The Litter Box?

Reasons your cat won’t use the litter box include a possible medical condition, not wanting to share the box with another cat, stress, or because the box is dirty. If your cat has always been good about using the box and then suddenly stops, a trip to the veterinarian is in order. After ruling out medical issues, try adding additional boxes. Also, always make sure the boxes are kept clean. 

What to Do When Your Cat Stops Using the Litter Box

Cats don’t need to be walked and the litter box makes them pretty independent as far as using the bathroom, which is a real plus for pet owners who are away much of the day. Unfortunately, many cats will experience litter box issues at some point in their life. Understanding the reasons behind this behavior is key in order to stop it.

Medical Issues 

Some medical conditions that contribute to litter box avoidance include urinary tract infections, cystitis, and kidney stones. Make an appointment with your vet as soon as possible so if there is a medical concern, it can be identified and treated.

Dirty/Crowded Litter Box 

You can’t really blame a cat for not wanting to share a litter box with other felines. That’s why it’s a good idea to provide one box per cat plus one additional box. It’s best to have them in separate parts of the house. You should also scoop all litter boxes daily.

Stress

Possible stressors for your cat include not getting enough food, being bothered by other household pets, and lots of loud noise/fighting. As much as possible, reduce the things that may be causing stress to your cat. You can also try using stress-reducing collars and diffusers.

Additional Tips 

Cats are finicky, and sometimes it’s the smallest thing that puts them off of their litter box. Here are a few others things to try and some to avoid:

  • In a new second litter box, try a different litter, as some cats may not like a certain scent or texture.
  • If the box has a lid, remove it.
  • Don’t stand by the box with a treat as cats don’t like to be bothered when going to the bathroom.
  • Don’t yell at your cat and toss him in the litter box as this will create a negative association.
  • Clean up messes thoroughly using a product with enzymes to neutralize pet odors. 

Litter box issues often have a resolution, but it may take some trial and error to figure out what works for your pet. If none of your tricks fix the issue, seek an animal behaviorist for personalized advice or check out this article about fixing litter box problems.