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If you find yourself in a situation where you need to find a new home for your Maltese, there are many resources available to help you through the process. You never want to make the mistake of giving your dog to just anyone because they may not be a good fit for your Maltese. Below are some things you’ll need to do to ensure that he goes to a great new owner.

Know What Your Dog Needs

You’ve spent more time with your dog than anyone else has, and this means that you know their personality and their needs better than others. You also know his quirks, both good and bad. Does he love getting brushed? Does he chase cats? Does he snap at children? Maybe he needs to be on a special diet, or he needs to take medication each day.

Your goal is to find an owner that will accept the good and the bad, and that can provide your dog with the care he’ll need. After all, you want him to go to a home that will love him and keep him healthy, happy, and safe for the rest of his life.

Talk with People You Know

One of the first options you may want to consider is finding your Maltese a home with someone you know. You might have a friend or a relative that has been looking for a hypoallergenic dog for their family. They could be a great solution, especially if they already know and like your dog.

However, you can’t simply give your dog to someone that you know without thinking about your dog’s needs. Make sure that it’s the right fit first and ask questions to find out how they plan on caring for your dog (the same way you would of a stranger).

Just keep in mind that when they’re in the new home, you’ll want to give it a few months before you visit. This will allow your dog to see the new home and family as theirs, and they won’t try to come home with you.

Take Your Time to Find the Perfect Owner Online 

You might not know someone personally that’s looking for a dog. Fortunately, the internet has made it easier to find people looking to adopt. Of course, you shouldn’t just use any classified ad site to advertise your dog—you never know who is on those sites or what their intentions are.

Instead, choose a site that’s built specifically for people who want to adopt a dog. Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com, is a great solution. The peer-to-peer adoption platform is easy to use and is free for owners. Adopters only pay a small rehoming fee that’s similar to what they would pay to a shelter or rescue.

You can create a detailed profile for your dog through Rehome that includes photos, videos, and a bio. Remember to make the bio as detailed as possible, including the personality and quirks of your Maltese. Your Maltese’s bio is then uploaded directly to Adopt-a-Pet.com for millions of potential adopters to see. Once you start receiving applications, Rehome will provide you with tips on how to choose the right adopter, and will even help you with the contract process. It’s a straight-forward and safe way to make sure you’re doing right by your dog. 

If you’ve recently adopted a Labrador retriever, you might be wondering, “how long does it take a Labrador Retriever to get used to a new home?” Some people get frustrated when a new dog doesn’t fall right into their family’s established routines, but the truth is that it can take weeks or even months for a dog to fully become used to his new home. Dogs that have been shuffled around or who have been through traumatic experiences typically take longer to adjust.

Don’t Give Up On Your Pet

When a new Labrador Retriever is still having trouble getting used to his new home even after a few weeks, some pet owners start to think they didn’t find the right fit. Don’t give up! It might take some extra time and effort, but he WILL come around. If he gets sent off to a new home, he’ll have to start from scratch, and you’ll have to start over with a new dog.

One thing that will help is properly transitioning a dog in to your home. Most shelters and rescues will provide information on how to do this. Tips may vary somewhat based on the history and behavior of the dog, but a few pointers include:

• Provide a Crate: Even if you don’t plan to crate your dog when you’re not home, crate training is a good idea. When properly handled, the dog will view the crate as a safe place.
• Don’t Yell or Hit: Yelling at or hitting a dog will never bring about the desired results. Instead of helping your dog learn to follow commands and to be confident, he’ll become timid and fearful. Instead, learn how to get your dog’s attention by using a stern voice when he does something wrong and by praising him when does something good.
• Training Classes: Quality training classes aren’t just about teaching your dog to behave; they are also about teaching you how to be the leader your dog needs. Taking some training classes with a reputable trainer could make a world of difference.

The reward for your patience and hard work will be a Labrador Retriever who is loyal and obedient for life! 

Rehoming a dog means means finding a new home where your dog will be safe and loved. This is different from surrendering your dog to a shelter or rescue because you’re helping your dog go from your home right into another home. When you take the time needed to rehome the dog, you’re able to choose a family that is a perfect fit for your pet.

How Do I Find a Home for My Dog? 

Before you start searching for a new home for your dog, be sure that you have tried everything to keep him in your home. Talk to your vet, local trainers, and animal welfare groups for advice. You can also view our Keep Your Pet guide here. If you find that you still need to rehome your pet once those efforts are exhausted, here are some tips to keep in mind: 

• Think twice about rehoming your pet through classified sites. Many people troll such sites looking for dogs to use for nefarious purposes.
• Always charge a rehoming fee. Giving dogs away “free to a good home” is never a good idea because you want the new adopter to demonstrate that they are serious about providing a great home for your furry friend. Charging a rehoming fee of $50 to $150 shows that the adopter has some financial resources to commit to the dog and eliminates certain risks, such as your dog being sold to a lab.
• Use available resources to make finding a home easier. Rehome is a website dedicated to helping responsible pet owners find the perfect home for their dog or cat. The service allows you set up an eye-catching profile and to connect with potential adopters at no charge. Applications are submitted right through the site, and you’ll even find helpful tips about screening potential homes, and much more. 

If you absolutely cannot keep your dog, take the time to ensure he’ll be happy with a new family. It’s the right thing to do—both for your dog and for your own peace of mind. 

Pet Valu does not take cats from owners who want to surrender their pets. While adoptable pets are available in many Pet Valu stores, those animals are there through arrangements with local rescues, humane societies, and other organizations. Pet owners wishing to rehome their pet will not be able to take their cats to Pet Valu. 

Tips to Rehome Your Cat 

If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of needing to find a new home for your cat, there are a few safe methods available. While dropping your cat off at Pet Valu isn’t an option, there are some avenues you can take to be sure your cat finds a suitable home.

Surrendering to a Shelter 

Shelters in your area may include humane societies, city animal control departments, and local branches of the SPCA. There is usually a surrender fee which varies by location. It’s also important to learn the organization’s adoption vs. euthanasia rate. Some organizations have euthanasia rates as low as 3% while others are well over 50%. 

Working With a Rescue Group 

Surrendering your cat to a rescue group is a great option as most privately run rescues are no kill and they work very hard to find safe homes for every cat. The downside is that many rescues are often at capacity, so it can be a challenge to find one with room to take your pet.

Rehoming Your Cat Yourself 

The best way to make sure you’re comfortable with your cat’s new home is to screen potential adopters yourself. This may take some time, but it’s worth it for the peace of mind you’ll have knowing your cat is in good hands. The Rehome website has lots of great resources to help you in your search. Create a profile for your cat right on the site and connect with people actively looking for a new pet. 

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.   

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! 

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. 

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.