How Do I Find a Home For My Cat?

You can find a new home for your cat by asking friends or family to adopt him or by posting him to Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com. To do either of these, you’ll need to get prepared with all of your cat’s important information, create a biography or story, and then start sharing that info with the right people and in the right places.

Preparing to Find a New Home for Your Cat

Make sure you have all of the necessary information your cat’s potential new family might be interested in knowing. This would include not only your cat’s medical records and health history, but also information on his temperament and personality. Is he good with other cats? How about dogs? Do you think he’d like living in a home with children? These are all questions potential adopters might ask. It’s also a good idea to have at least one or two engaging photos of your cat ready to share (for tips on how to take great pet photography, check out the Pet Photo and Video Tips section of our FAQs).

Create a “Bio” for Your Cat

Now you’re ready to get started. Start by writing a short description of your cat that will give would-be adopters an idea of why your cat would be a great addition to their life. Maybe he likes to snuggle and binge-watch Netflix with you, or perhaps his silly antics are known to keep you laughing for hours. Help others understand why he’s a great cat. This “bio” for your cat, along with those amazing glamour shots you took earlier, are just the thing your cat needs to stand out!

Share Your Cat with Friends and Family

Get your cat seen by adopters. Easier said than done, right? Actually, this part might be easier than you think. We always recommend talking with friends and family as a first step when you must find a new home for any pet. Oftentimes, a beloved pet can remain in your extended family by being adopted by a loved one who happens to be looking for a new pet just as you are looking for a new home for yours. They will appreciate the thorough information you put together on your pet’s personality and health and you’ll appreciate knowing they are in an awesome home!

Use Rehome to Find a New Home for Your Cat

If your family and friends are unable to take your cat, the team here at Adopt-a-Pet.com has a program called Rehome that is available for pet parents in exactly your situation. It’s free, simple to use, and will get your pet’s photos and bio in front of the millions of potential adopters who are searching on our site. Our team will provide guidance along the way including an application interested adopters can fill out right from your cat’s profile and tips on how to review applications for good answers and red flags. We’ll even help you to transfer your cat’s medical records to the new adopter! Get started with Rehome here.   

What Do I Do With A Stray Dog?

The first thing you should do with a stray dog is help to reunite him with his family. When you find a dog, you don’t know if he’s been lost, stolen, or abandoned, but always assume there could be an owner looking him. 

If you can capture the dog and are comfortable doing so, you can then take the stray dog to a veterinarian, some grooming salons, or shelter to get him checked for a microchip. If the dog is chipped, the owner can be contacted. If not, these organizations can help you with next steps.  

If you can’t catch the dog or are uncomfortable trying to, it’s best to call your local animal control. Providing information such as details of the dog (color, size, breed and sex), the exact location (street address or intersection) and which direction the dog is moving will be really helpful for animal control. Many will send an officer out to capture the dog.

Why Reporting the Dog to Animal Control Is Important  

Some people hesitate to call animal control when they find a dog because they worry the dog may be put down. If you’re willing to keep the animal or to rehome the pet yourself if no owner is found, let animal control know that. After the holding period, some shelters will let you be first on the list of adopters. Contacting animal control is a smart and necessary first step for two main reasons:

  • Animal control is the first place people look or go to when they are looking for a lost pet.
  • Laws about what you should do if you take in a stray vary by city and state. Call your local animal control to find out what the laws in your area are so you can follow them. 

If you do want to keep the pet, be sure to make that well known to animal control so that your name is at the top of the waiting list of potential adopters if this is an option the shelter offers. A typical holding period is 3 to 4 days, but this varies by location. Learn the exact date the dog’s hold will be up, and arrive at the shelter when it opens that morning. 

If you want to rehome the pet yourself, this is also an option. Sometimes, animal control will allow you to keep the dog in your house during the holding period. Once that holding period is over and no owner has come forward, you can begin the rehoming process. One tool that is especially helpful is Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com. You can create a profile for the stray dog for millions of potential adopters to see. 

Knowing what to do with a stray dog is not easy, but if you follow this guide, you’ll do what is best for the dog and help him find a great new home! 

How Do I Surrender My German Shepherd?

Those asking, “how do I surrender my German Shepherd,” have likely made the decision that they can no longer keep their pet. While you could surrender him to a local shelter, this leaves him in a situation in which you have no say and no control. The procedure for surrendering your dog varies by location, but it’s a good idea to consider other options before making a final decision.

General Surrender Procedures 

As mentioned above, each shelter will have its own process, but it typically looks something like this:

  • You bring your dog to the shelter and speak with an intake specialist.
  • In some cases, they will take your dog right away, or you may be put on a wait list.
  • You pay a surrender fee and sign over all rights to your German Shepherd.  

Will My German Shepherd Find a New Home?

Maybe. Once you leave your dog, what happens next is out of your hands. While shelters work hard to find homes for all the dogs in their care, sometimes it’s just not possible. It’s also important to note that some shelters are forced to put down more animals than others, so you should do a little rehome_research about the shelter to which you’re thinking about surrendering your dog.

Another thing to keep in mind is that some dogs become fearful and anxious in a shelter. This could manifest as aggression, which can greatly reduce your German Shepherd’s chances of being adopted.

Your Dog’s Best Chance at a Happy Future 

Instead of surrendering your German Shepherd, consider finding him a home yourself. More and more pet owners are realizing the benefits of going the extra mile to rehome their dog—the most important of which is that it keeps your dog out of the shelter and ensures he goes to a home that you choose.

It may take a while to find the perfect home, but you can find advice and helpful tools online on the Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com website. On Rehome you can build your German Shepherd a profile, communicate with potential adopters, and once you find a great home, complete the adoption paperwork. 

Give your dog the future he deserves and give yourself the gift of peace of mind knowing that your German Shepherd is living with a loving family. 

What is a Reasonable Rehoming Fee for a Shih Tzu?

A reasonable rehoming fee for a Shih Tzu would typically be somewhere between $50 and $150. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the actual fees can vary somewhat. You wouldn’t want to go any lower than $50 but depending on the age of your dog and whether he’s purebred, some rehoming fees could be higher than $150. Much more than that, though, and it’s less of a rehoming fee and more like selling your dog.

Why Are Rehoming Fees Important?

Some people don’t like the idea of rehoming fees. They feel that someone is simply selling a dog that they no longer want. That’s rarely the case. Most people who have to rehome their Shih Tzu are heartbroken because of it. If circumstances were different, they’d keep their dog forever. However, they can’t, and rehoming fees make sense. it’s not about getting money for your dog; it’s about ensuring that only the right people are adopting her.

Rehoming fees can help to keep your dog safe. People who have nefarious intentions toward animals certainly exist. Charging a rehoming fee helps to weed these people out because they don’t want to pay for your dog. Sometimes, these people want to sell them to labs or use them as bait to train fighting dogs. Rehoming fees should always be charged when you’re finding a new owner for your Shih Tzu.

Do Shelters and Rescues Charge Fees?

Those considering adopting from a shelter or a rescue will find that there are fees charged. Most of the time, the fees will range from $50 to $150. Of course, the exact fees can vary based on the location, the shelter, and other factors. You’ll need to contact the shelter to get a better understanding of the adoption fees charged.

Does Rehome Charge a Rehoming Fee?

Yes, when someone adopts a pet through Rehome, they’ll have to pay a small rehoming fee. This amounts to about the same that they’d pay to a rescue or a shelter. One of the benefits of using Rehome is that you’ll never have to charge someone a Rehoming fee. The site will take care of that when someone adopts your dog. The rehoming fee goes right back into ensuring that more pets get adopted.

As an owner who needs to rehome a Shih Tzu, you won’t have to worry about paying any fees when you use the site. All you’ll need to do is create a profile for your dog that highlights their qualities and personality. Always be honest with the profiles. You need to be sure that the family adopting your dog is truly the best fit. After all, if your Shih Tzu is afraid of larger dogs, you wouldn’t want someone who has big dogs adopting her.

You get to choose who can adopt your Shih Tzu. Potential adopters will fill out adoption applications, which you’ll then go through. This gives you control over who gets to adopt her, so you can be sure that she has a loving new home.

Why is My Cat Suddenly Aggressive Toward Other Cats?

If your cat is suddenly agressive towards other cats, it may be due to a medical condition. This is good news and bad news. The bad news is that your pet may be sick. The good news is that when the medical issue is resolved, the aggressive behavior will typically cease. If your cat is suddenly aggressive to other cats, step number one is to make an appointment to see your vet.

The Vet Visit 

You many wonder what type of medical condition could trigger sudden aggression, but there is no simple answer other than to say pain may be the cause. If a typically docile, loving cat is in pain, acting out aggressively is a common reaction.
The vet will perform a thorough exam and may order tests to correctly diagnose any issues. Once the problem is discovered, proper treatment can ensue. In most cases, once the cat starts feeling better, they will return to his usual temperament.
If the vet doesn’t find anything wrong medically, she may recommend an animal behaviorist who can help you resolve the issue of aggression between your cats. 

A New Feline Friend 

Another common reason a cat may suddenly show signs of aggression is that a new cat has been introduced into the household. Even if the now-aggressive cat has always gotten along with your other pets, it’s not uncommon for a new addition to the pack to be the catalyst for aggression. Proper introductions can minimize the chances of such issues, so be sure to ask your vet or read expert advice about how to how to help cats get used to a newcomer.

Whether your cat is suddenly aggressive towards other cats due to a medical condition or for reasons requiring the help of an animal behaviorist, there is good news: In most cases sudden aggression in cats can be remedied to the point that you’ll be able to keep the cats in your home, which is what every pet owner wants. 

How Do You Discipline A Cat With Bad Behavior?

You should not discipline a cat with bad behavior because cats do not respond well to discipline. Instead, you should learn techniques to retrain your cat or simply provide barriers to stop the unwanted conduct. The goal should be to find ways to curb the bad behavior, but not through punishment.

Your Cat Doesn’t Think Like You  

That might sound obvious, but some cat owners fail to consider that when evaluating their pet’s behavior. The cat who scratches the furniture isn’t being bad. He’s stretching his body and helping to remove the outer sheath from his nails. When he plays loudly all night, he isn’t being bad. Cats were nocturnal before being domesticated.

Understanding behavior from the cat’s point of view will help you find an effective way to correct it. For example:

  • Scratching: Provide a scratching post in every area of the home where your cat spends time. Sprinkle some catnip on each post to pique your cat’s interest, and spend time encouraging your cat to use the posts.
  • Urinating Outside the Litter Box: First, have a vet verify it’s not a medical condition causing the behavior. If not, try adding an extra litter box or two (a good rule of thumb is one box per cat plus one additional box) and always make sure all litter boxes are clean.
  • Nighttime Partying: This is a tough one, but you can try engaging in a play session just before you go to bed to try and tire the cat out a bit. Also, feed the biggest meal at night as many cats want to nap after eating (as do most humans!)
  • Aggression: This is another case where you’ll want to rule out a medical condition—especially if a once docile cat is suddenly showing signs of aggression. If no medical condition exists, contact an animal behaviorist for guidance.

Yelling at, hitting, or otherwise punishing your cat will not solve any behavior problems and can even make them worse. Realize that your cat isn’t being bad—he’s just being a cat. Keeping that in mind will make it easier to find the solutions you need.

How Do I Give Up My Pomeranian?

You can give up your Pomeranian using many different resources today including online adoption sites, shelters, rescues, and people you know. When you have to give up your dog, you always want to be sure that he’s going to the proper new owner. Think about everything that your dog needs and try to find an owner that can meet their needs as closely as possible. Let’s get a closer look at the options. 

Shelters and Rescues

Some of the first options that might come to mind when you have to give up your Pomeranian is a shelter or a rescue. These are a possibility, but you might want to consider the other options first. When you give up your dog to one of these facilities, you won’t have control over who adopts him. In some cases, he might not be adopted at all.

The organizations work hard to care for the animals they have, and they try to get all of the animals adopted. However, this is easier said than done. In a rescue, you’ll find no-kill policies in place. Shelters do not have this option in most cases and will only hold dogs for a certain period. Additionally, you’ll have to pay a surrender fee when dropping off your Pomeranian. There are options you can consider but check out some of the other choices to see if they might fit your needs better.

Do You Need to Give Up Your Pomeranian?

When you contact the shelter or the rescue, they’ll often ask why you have to give up your dog. This is because they want what’s best for the animal, and that often means staying with the owner. They may have some resources that you could use to find a trainer, low-cost vet care, and more, which could make it easier for you to keep your dog.

Who Do You Know?

One of the best options, when you have to give up your Pomeranian, is to consider some of the people in your life. Talk with friends and family and let them know that you have to give up your dog. You may find that someone might be looking to adopt a dog and would love to have your Pomeranian come home with them. It’s a good option since you already know the people and will have a better idea of whether they’re a good fit for her or not.

Online Pet Adoption Sites

Of course, you may not know anyone who is looking to adopt a dog right now. In that case, you can always use online pet adoption sites like Rehome. This platform is from Adopt-a-Pet.com, and makes the process of finding a new owner easy and safe. You can create a detailed profile for your dog that details everything that he needs, his quirks, photos, and more. This gives the potential adopters the information they need to determine whether they should apply.
You can then go through the applications and find the owner that’s perfect for your Pomeranian. It’s free for owners to use, and adopters only have to pay a small rehoming fee. 

What is a Reasonable Rehoming fee for a Golden Retriever?

A reasonable rehoming fee for a golden retriever will typically be somewhere between $50 and several hundred dollars at most. Generally, they’ll be from $50 to $150 or so. Anything that’s over $300 is less of a rehoming fee and more akin to selling your dog. Whether you’re an owner who needs to give up their dog, or you’re someone looking for a dog to bring home, you’ll want to understand rehoming fees and why they are important.

Many factors could cause variances in the amount of the rehoming fee. The age of your dog is one of them, and whether he’s a pure breed golden retriever or not is another. These are factors to keep in mind when determining a rehoming fee as an owner or when looking for a dog to adopt.

Why Are Rehoming Fees Charged?

Some people who are looking for dogs to adopt wonder why there are rehoming fees. After all, if someone needs to give up their dog, shouldn’t they just be happy that someone wants to adopt? In a perfect world, this would be the case. However, we don’t live in a perfect world, and there are some people out there who have bad intentions when they are looking for dogs.

Sometimes, they are looking for free dogs they can sell to labs. Other times, they are looking for animals that could be used to train fighting dogs. By charging a rehoming fee, it reduces the risks to your dog. People like this don’t want to spend money on dogs. The rehoming fees aren’t there to line the pockets of pet owners; they’re there to help keep the pets safe.

Do Shelters and Rescues Charge Fees?

You’ll find that shelters and rescues charge fees, as well. These aren’t usually called rehoming fees, though they could be. Instead, they’re usually referred to as adoption fees. The purpose of the fees here is twofold. First, they serve to protect the dogs for the reasons mentioned above. However, the money from these fees, as well as from surrender fees, help to provide money to keep the facility operating.

Typically, the amount of the adoption fees are in line with the rehoming fees that would be found elsewhere. Again, it can vary based on things like your location and the age of your dog.

Make the Process Easier

If you worry about charging someone a rehoming fee, you should opt to go through Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com. The peer-to-peer pet adoption service makes it easier to find someone to adopt your dog, and the site will charge the rehoming fee. Money from the fee goes into helping other animals get adopted.
When you use Rehome, you’ll create a profile for your dog that can include a bio, photos, and videos. The bio should be clear about both the best traits and the worst traits of your dog. This way, you can be sure that the people who want to adopt know exactly what to expect with your golden retriever.  

How Do I Surrender My Dog?

You can surrender your dog by taking him to an animal shelter or rescue organization. It’s important to know what will take place once you relinquish your pet to a shelter or rescue and also to be aware that there are alternatives. Some facilities don’t allow walk-in surrenders and almost all charge a fee. This varies by location, so it’s important to call ahead to learn the procedures of the animal welfare organizations near you.

How to Surrender a Dog 

The first step is making a phone call to the organization to let them know that you would like to surrender your dog. In some cases, they will ask you several questions about the dog and about your reasons for surrendering him. If the facility does not answer, you can move forward with bringing the animal in the shelter or rescue.

As more animal welfare facilities are learning the importance of trying to keep dogs in their homes, they may offer or suggest talking with someone who could help you work on the issues that are making you want to surrender the dog. They may offer advice about animal training, day care facilities, where to find financial assistance, and other concerns. You can also refer to our Dog Tips guide if you are interested in learning more about how to help some common dog ownership questions.   

Once the decision to surrender is final, and the shelter has agreed to take the pet, you’ll bring the dog to the facility, pay a fee, and sign the pet over to the organization.

When you leave, the fate of the pet is out of your hands. Sadly, many healthy pets are at risk of euthanasia after being surrendered. Some are afraid of the shelter environment which can cause a normally well-mannered dog to behave aggressively out of fear. Such behavior decreases the chances the dog will be adopted. The lucky dogs will find new homes, but you’ll have no input into the type of family that is allowed to adopt your pet.

Other Options 

If there is no way to keep your dog there are options other than surrendering him that give your pet a better chance for a positive outcome.

Find a Rescue Group 

A rescue is different than a shelter, such as the city pound, in that they are privately run groups that give dogs as long as it takes to find their forever home. For that reason, it can be difficult to find a rescue that has the space to take your pet, but it is something worth trying.

Rehome the Dog Yourself 

If you are willing to take the time to find a new home for pet, this is often the ideal option. When going this route it is extremely important:

  • To think twice about giving your dog away on sites like Craigslist or Facebook pages. There are people who scour these sites looking for pets to sell to a lab, use for dog fighting, or other bad things. You should use caution and properly screen all applicants if you decide to go this route.
  • NOT to give your dog “free to a good home” (Always charge a rehoming fee.)
  • NOT to give your dog to a family without checking references and further screening them.

    The process of properly rehoming your dog might seem overwhelming, but there are resources to make it easier and to ensure your dog will be safe, happy, and loved in his new home. Rehome is a website that is dedicated to helping responsible pet owners find loving homes for their pets. From advice about screening adopters to creating a profile to get your pet noticed, Rehome is a great resource. 

    Surrendering or rehoming a dog should be a last resort, but sometimes even loving pet owners have no choice. If that’s the case in your situation, consider taking the steps to find your pet the perfect home, so you’ll know you did your best for him or her. 

    How Do I Give Up My Jack Russell Terrier?

    You can give up your Jack Russell Terrier in many different ways if you’re no longer capable of keeping him. It’s important to have an understanding of the various options available so you can find the best solution for your dog.

    Giving Your Dog Up to a Shelter or Rescue

    You might’ve considered surrendering your dog to a rescue or a shelter. These are options to consider, but you can’t simply drop your dog off at one of these locations. Instead, you’ll have to contact the facility first to learn their policies and what you need to do first.

    Often, they’ll ask you why you need to give up your dog because they want to see if there might be a way to help you keep your dog. For example, if you worry that you can’t provide your Jack Russell Terrier with enough exercise, they might suggest a pet sitter or dog walker. The goal is to make sure that they do what’s best for your dog.

    Of course, there are many cases where you simply can’t keep your dog. In those cases, the shelters and rescues will let you know about their surrender fees, their policies, and what you need to do before you can drop him off.

    Keep in mind there are other options you can consider, as well.

    Giving Your Dog to Someone You Know

    One of the best options is to look at friends and family that might be thinking about getting a dog. Rather than adopting a different dog, they might be interested in your Jack Russell Terrier. This is especially true if they already know your dog. When you find someone that you know and trust to adopt your dog, it will give you more peace of mind, naturally.

    However, if you choose this option, it’s important to allow your dog time to adjust to their new home with new owners.

    Rehoming Your Jack Russell Terrier Online 

    Another option to consider when you have to give up your Jack Russell Terrier is to rehome with someone you find online. You’ll want to be sure that you’re only using a reputable site for pet adoptions. Steer clear of Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist, since it’s difficult to determine whether those people were actively looking to adopt a dog or just found your listing on a whim.

    If you’re going to be rehoming your Jack Russell Terrier on your own, make sure that you charge a rehoming fee. This reduces the risk for your dog since people who have bad intentions are typically looking for free animals online.

    Choosing a platform like Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com, helps to ensure safety, as well as ease of use. Those who are looking at the site are serious about adopting, and they take their time to read the profile you created about your dog. This helps to make it easier for you to find the right new owners for your Jack Russell Terrier when you receive the adoption applications.