How Long Does the Humane Society Keep Dogs?

How long the Humane Society keeps dogs varies depending on multiple factors. The exact hold times differ by location and may depend on factors such as available space and the health and temperament of the dog. Sometimes a stray dog will have a longer minimum hold time than a dog that is surrendered by their owner. That’s because the shelter is required to allow time for an owner to come forward to claim a stray dog. The objective is to find every adoptable pet a home but, sadly, this isn’t always possible.

What Are My Other Options? 

There are multiple options to consider when you need to find a new home for your dog. The first and most preferable option is to keep your pet. For help with how to do this, check out our Keep Your Pet guide.

If you’ve decided that you have no choice but to give up your dog, the Humane Society is of course an option, but you could also try:

  • Asking if anyone you know is interested in adopting your dog.
  • Checking with local rescues to see if they have room to take in your pet.
  • Rehoming your dog yourself to ensure he finds a family that will love and care for him. 

While rehoming your dog yourself may be the most time consuming, it’s an option that gives your dog a great chance at a perfect new home and allows you to have control over where he ends up. 

Not sure how to get started? Start with checking out Rehome, a website that allows you to create a profile for your pet for millions of potential adopters to view on Adopt-a-Pet.com. Plus, Rehome provides valuable resources such as information about how to screen adopters and how to write an eye-catching “bio” for your dog.  

Taking the time to find your dog a good home will give you peace of mind and will give your pet the opportunity to have a second chance at a happy life. 

Do Dogs Get Tired Of Barking?

Dogs do not get tired of barking necessarily, but a tired dog may bark less. All dogs bark, and there are many different reasons that a dog uses his voice including fear, alarm, as a form of greeting, and even boredom. While you can’t expect a dog to be silent, excessive barking is a problem. A dog who exhibits this behavior is not likely to stop just because he grew tired of barking. Instead, you’ll have to pinpoint the cause for the behavior and work on ways to address it.

Reasons for Excessive Barking

If your dog barks incessantly, it can be a problem for you, your neighbors, and the dog. The good news is that most excessive barking issues can be resolved if properly addressed. Some reasons your dog may bark nonstop include:

  • Separation Anxiety: Separation anxiety is a condition that cannot be ignored. Some pet owners hope it will go away on its own, but it doesn’t. Instead, if left untreated, the condition gets worse over time. Treatment options vary based on the severity of the anxiety, but a good first step is to talk to your vet. You can also read more about separation anxiety here.
  • Loneliness/Boredom: Dogs are pack animals, and they aren’t meant to be alone. A dog that is left alone in the yard or house all the time may bark just because he is lonely and bored. In such cases, spending lots of time with his humans, getting a dog sitter while you are out for the day, or taking him to doggy daycare may be all it takes to correct the problem.
  • Stress: There are many reasons a dog may feel stress, and all of them can lead to excess barking. Calming collars, shirts, or diffusers may provide a solution for mild stress. More severe cases may require medication or behavioral therapy. 

As mentioned above, dogs won’t get tired of barking, but a tired dog may bark less. Make sure your pet gets plenty of playtime and exercise as this alone could help to curb constant barking. 

What Is A Rehoming Fee?

A rehoming fee is a payment made by potential adopters to the person or organization they are adopting a pet from. These fees are important because they require potential adopters to demonstrate the financial ability to care for a pet and to weed out people who collect dogs and cats listed as free to a good home for use in dog fighting, as bait animals, or to sell to labs. For rescue groups that are funded by donations only, the fees can help with expenses such as spay/neuter, vaccinations, and food.

I’m Rehoming a Pet. How Much Should I Charge? 

If you’ve made the decision to rehome your pet, it’s important to take every possible step to keep your dog or cat safe. One way to do that is by charging a sufficient rehoming fee. The amount depends on many factors such as type of pet, age of the pet, etc.

In order to make the pet unattractive to people who want dogs and cats for nefarious purposes, the fee should be at least $50. If you want the adopter to demonstrate a willingness to care for your pet’s financial needs, you may want to charge more. Typical rehoming fees are between $50 and $150, but purebred pets may have a higher fee.

If you’re still not sure how much to charge, or if you’re looking for resources to help you rehome your dog or cat, stop by our website called Rehome. We offer free services including setting the rehoming fee, providing a platform for your pet’s profiles, guidance for reviewing applications, and more. Plus, when you use Rehome, you’ll be doing something good to help homeless dogs and cats as all rehoming fees are donated to helping more pets find forever homes.  

Do You Have To Pay To Rehome A Dog?

You may have to pay to rehome a dog depending on how you go about it. If you surrender a dog that you own to a shelter or rescue, you will likely have to pay a fee. Stray or found dogs can be surrendered to shelters without a fee. The fees to surrender your own dog start at around $15 and go up from there. The fee is to cover part of the expenses of caring for and, hopefully, finding a new home for the dog.

How To Rehome Your Dog

Most city shelters and rescues will charge some type of surrender fee. These fees vary greatly, so be sure to call and check on the cost if you think it may be an issue.

If you’re looking for a way to rehome your dog, consider finding a new home for them yourself.

This is an ideal option for many reasons including:

  • You know they will find a home rather than take the chance of them being put down at a shelter.
  • You’ll be able to hand-select the perfect home for your pet.
  • You’ll have peace of mind knowing you did the best thing for your dog. 

The process may seem a little overwhelming, but there are resources available to help you every step of the way. One resource is Rehome, where you can find expert advice, create a profile for your pet, accept applications from potential adopters, and much more.

It may take some time to find the perfect home, but this option gives your dog the best chance at the new, happy life they deserve. 

Why Is My Cat Pooping On The Floor?

Cats may poop on the floor because of a medical condition, stress, or because the litter box is dirty. If the behavior started suddenly, have a vet rule out a medical problem first and then take note if anything significant has happened in the cat’s life, such as a new pet entering the home or the loss of a companion. Whatever the cause, most litter box issues can be solved, but it may take time and patience.

Common Reasons for Litter Box Issues 

Reasons your cat stops using the litter box generally fall in three categories: medical, stress, and environmental.

Medical

Diabetes, intestinal problems, and thyroid issues are common medical issues that can cause litter box issues. Any time your cat starts going outside of the box, it’s a good idea to schedule a visit with the vet to rule these and other conditions out.

Stress

While most dogs are more equipped to go with the flow, cats get stressed out very easily. Stress can be triggered by a small change, such as rearranging the furniture or by a significant event such as the death of a companion cat. As the stress is alleviated, the behavior often stops on its own. If not, you may have to ask for advice from an animal behaviorist.

Environmental

Cats don’t like using a dirty litter box, and many don’t like sharing. Try adding additional boxes (a good rule is one per cat plus one additional box), and always make sure the boxes are clean. You can also try adding additional boxes in new locations and removing the lids from covered boxes. 

Sadly, some pet owners rehome their cats over a litter box issue rather than searching for a solution. There are many possible ways to curb the behavior from resolving a medical problem to changing the environment. It may take time to find what works for your pet, but it’s worth the effort.  

What is the Fastest Way to Rehome a Doberman Pinscher?

The fastest way to rehome your Doberman Pinscher is by giving her to someone that you already know. This can be a good way to find a new home for your dog, but you still need to be sure she’s going to the best new owner. There are other methods of rehoming that you could consider, too. Although they may not be quite as fast, it’s still possible to find a great new owner and a home where she’ll be happy and healthy.

Rehoming with Friends and Family 

If you’re looking for a fast way to rehome your Doberman Pinscher, finding family and friends that might be willing to adopt is a good choice. Talk with people you know to see if they or anyone they might know wants to adopt. Giving her up to someone you know and trust helps you rest easier at night. Just be sure the new owner can provide everything she needs.

Rehoming Online

Another easy and relatively safe way to rehome your dog is through the Internet using a pet adoption site. Options like Rehome from Adopt-a-Pet.com is a great choice because it provides a safe and easy to use site. Once you create your dog’s profile, it can be viewed by people interested in adopting.

It’s important that you’re honest and thorough when creating your dog’s bio. You want to be clear about your Doberman Pinscher’s needs, her temperament, things she likes and doesn’t like, any health issues, and more. This is because you want to be sure that the new owner is the right fit for her. They need to know as much information as possible before they apply to adopt.

Once you start to receive applications, you can review them and find the perfect new owner for her.

What About Shelters and Rescues?

There’s also the option of surrendering your dog to a shelter or a rescue. While these may be an option that you can use, it’s important to understand the policies of these locations. You should rehome_research the facilities you’re considering. Check to see whether any nearby rescues even have any room. Because they have no-kill policies, they’re often full already. Look at the policies of the animal shelters, too. They’ll generally only be able to hold your dog for a certain number of days.

You can’t just bring your Doberman Pinscher to one of these facilities either. You’ll need to contact them and set up an appointment. They can let you know everything that you’ll need to bring including the price of the surrender fee. The fees will vary from one facility to the next, but they’re typically $50 minimum.

Although the rescues and shelters try to ensure that your dog gets adopted, there’s no guarantee that this will happen. Rehoming is a good option because it will give you more control over the adoption process. You can be sure that you’re finding the perfect home for your Doberman Pinscher.

How Do I Give Up My Mastiff?

You can give up your Mastiff to someone that you know, someone you find online, or to a shelter or a rescue. It’s important to know the options that are available, how they work, and what you need to consider when giving up your dog. 

Do You Need to Give Up Your Mastiff?

One of the first things you’ll want to consider is whether you need to give up your dog at all. Think about why you need to give him up and whether there might be a way to ease whatever problem you might be having. If he has some behavioral issues, for example, working with a trainer could help. If you don’t have time to walk him each day, you could hire a dog walker to help. Try to exhaust all of your possibilities before giving him up. Of course, we know that sometimes you may not have any other choice.

Shelters and Rescues

These organizations are available for those who need to give up their dog. The shelters and rescues will require that you first contact them to set up an appointment. They’ll want to know the temperament of your dog, any medical needs that he might have, etc. Additionally, they may want to know why you have to give up your dog. They want what’s best for him and may have resources that could help you, such as information about low-cost vets, trainers, and more.

If you give up your Mastiff to a shelter or rescue, keep in mind that you’ll have to pay a surrender fee, as well. The price will vary, but it typically starts at around $50 and goes up from there depending on where you’re located.

People You Know

A great option for giving up your dog would be to talk with the people you know, such as your friends, family, and coworkers. Let them know your situation and that you need to give him up. You might find that one of them might be looking for a dog and would love to give him a home. Of course, you need to be sure that whoever you give your dog to can care for all of his needs, whatever they might be. When you give your dog to someone you know, it also gives you more peace of mind.

Online Options for Giving Up Your Mastiff

Another option would be to use an online service like Rehome to find a new owner for your dog. This is a platform from Adopt-a-Pet.com that makes it easy to find potential adopters. You’ll create a profile for your dog, which the adopters can see and review. Those interested in adopting will send applications to you for review. You can then sort through the applications and choose the best new owner for your Mastiff.

It’s an easy to use platform and it’s free for owners to use. The adopters will only pay a small rehoming fee to the site, and the money goes back into helping more animals find a new home.

Photo Credit: Eran Finkle

Are Bark Collars Cruel?

Bark collars are cruel in that they inflict discomfort and/or pain as a method of stopping barking. There are better and more humane ways to deal with barking that don’t hurt your dog and also will address the root of the problem. Bark collars do not address the reason for the barking. Barking is a normal behavior, so punishing your pet for just being a dog is a cruel choice.

How Bark Collars Work 

Bark collars react to the sound of barking or the vibration of your dog’s vocal chords by spraying the dog with citronella, emitting a high pitched sound, or shocking the dog. All of these punishments fail to address the reason for the barking. In the best cases, they make the dog fearful and uncomfortable. In the worst cases, they cause pain.

Alternatives to Bark Collars 

Inflicting pain and discomfort shouldn’t be a method any pet owner is willing to try. Fortunately, there are plenty of humane ways to stop excessive barking such as: 

  • Ignore It: If your dog is looking for attention by barking, ignore him completely. Don’t say “no.” Don’t act annoyed. Just walk away. When the barking stops, give your dog the attention he craves. He’ll learn to associate barking with being ignored and being quiet with getting attention.
  • Find the Cause: If you can figure out what is triggering the barking, you can deal with that directly. For example, if he barks at people walking by, consider keeping him in a back room or blocking the windows during high traffic times of day.
  • Professional Training: If the methods you try at home don’t do the trick, invest in professional training. You’ll learn how to use positive reinforcement to stop unwanted behavior.
    If you suspect the barking is due to separation anxiety, seek the help of a vet or animal behaviorist at once. The problem will only get worse if left untreated. 

Whatever is causing excessive barking, punishing your dog isn’t the way to go. Rather than inflicting pain with a bark collar, find a training method that is positive and healthy and that will bring out the best in your pet. 

Where Can I Put a Boxer Up for Adoption?

You can put a boxer up for adoption both online and locally. If you have a boxer that you can no longer take care of, you might find that putting them up for adoption is the best course of action.

Maybe you will be moving soon, and the new location will not allow pets or larger dogs. You may find that you can’t provide for the dog’s needs any longer. For example, boxers are a fun-loving and active breed, and you may not be able to give them enough exercise. Regardless of why you need to relinquish your pet, it is important that you find the best home for them. Fortunately, there are several that you can consider.

Shelters and Rescues

One of the first places that people consider when they are looking to give up their boxer for adoption is a shelter. Many people choose to visit rescues and shelters when looking for a new pet. Some rescues specialize in boxers, which could be a good fit. While shelters try to provide care for dogs, they are not always capable of ensuring adoption.

Do You Have Friends or Family that Could Adopt?

You might be fortunate enough to have someone that you know in your life already that might be willing to adopt your boxer. If you have a friend or a family member who has room for your dog, and that can properly care for your pet, then you might want to allow them to adopt. If they already know your dog, it can help to make the adoption easier for the pet, and you.

Of course, not everyone will have enough room for a boxer or the ability to provide them with the exercise that they need. You want the best for your dog, and sometimes that means considering other options for adoption, such as Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com.

Consider Choosing Rehome When Putting Your Boxer Up for Adoption

Rehome is a platform from Adopt-a-Pet, which can provide you with a safe, effective, and simple way to put your boxer up for adoption. The platform allows you to create a bio for your pet, and to upload photos and videos. You can provide potential adopters with all of the information they need regarding your dog to help ensure a good fit for a new home. If your boxer doesn’t get along with cats, for example, you will want to let people know in case they already have cats in the home.

The system works easily for the owner, as well as the adopter. Additionally, when you are putting your pet up for adoption on Rehome, it is entirely free. The adopter will pay a small fee that is in line with what they would pay at city or municipality shelters.

If you have a boxer that needs to be adopted, take the time to check out Rehome and see just how easy it is. You can find the perfect new home for your boxer.

How Do I Find a Good Home for My Australian Shepherd?

When pet owners decide they can no longer keep their dog, questions like, “how do I find a good home for my Australian Shepherd,” are usually top of mind. While surrendering to a shelter is an option, the best way to find the right home for your dog is to rehome him yourself. It takes a bit of time and effort, but if finding the right home is important to you, this is the easiest way to see exactly where he ends up.

Where Do I Start?

If you’ve never rehomed a dog before, the idea can seem overwhelming and stressful. The good news is an Australian Shepherd will be easier to rehome than some other breeds. Once you get your dog in front of the right people, it probably won’t take long to find him a loving new home.
The more potential adopters who see him, the better the chances of finding a good fit. Here are two things you’ll want to do:

  • Contact breed-specific rescues and ask if they will list your dog as a courtesy listing. These groups may even know people who are actively looking for an Australian Shepherd.
  • List your pet on the Rehome website. You’ll be able to create a pet profile, communicate with potential adopters, upload medical records, and more. This site is a valuable resource for anyone trying to rehome a pet. Your pet will also get more rehome_legacyity than you would with other sites because his profile will be published directly on Adopt-a-Pet.com. Once the bio is live, your dog could be viewed by the millions of people that visit Adopt-a-Pet.com every month.

    Vet References and Rehoming Fees

    Remember that the goal isn’t just to find a home; it’s to find a great home. That means you won’t want to just hand over your dog without learning a bit about the potential adopters. Make sure you:

    • Ask for Vet References: If the adopter has had pets before, ask for vet references. You’ll want the vet to verify that proper medical care was provided.
    • Charge a Rehoming Fee: Giving your dog away as free to a good home is never a good idea. Charging a rehoming fee weeds out people who look for free dogs to resell or use in nefarious ways. It also lets you know they are willing to invest in your dog. If they balk at a rehoming fee, what will they do when a sick dog needs to go to the vet?

      It’s always a sad thing to give up a pet, but taking the time to find him a perfect home at least gives your Australian Shepherd the best chance at a happy future.