How Do I Give Up My Maltese?

You can give up your Maltese by rehoming or by taking him to a shelter or rescue. However, before you decide on just how you’ll be giving up your dog, it’s important to understand the differences between these options. Ultimately, your goal shouldn’t be just to give up your dog, but to ensure that you find him the best possible home. Below are things to keep in mind.

Consider Ways You May Keep Your Dog

Before you give up your dog, you should make sure that you’ve exhausted every other possibility. Sometimes, you might feel that you don’t have any other choice, but that may not be the case.

If you have a dog with some behavioral issues, such as barking too much or going to the bathroom in the house, training could be a solution. Consider working with a local trainer or behaviorist. If you can’t spend time with your dog during the day, consider doggy daycare. Maybe you can’t afford to have your dog spayed or neutered. Look for low-cost and free options in your area.

Of course, there are situations that won’t allow you to keep your dog no matter how much you might want to. In those cases, there are resources to help you find him a new home.

Allowing Someone You Know to Adopt

A simple and effective solution when you need to give up your Maltese might be to let someone you know adopt. Maybe you have a relative who needs a companion dog or a friend who wants a dog for the family that’s hypoallergenic. There could be plenty of people in your life right now that would love to adopt your dog. You just need to talk with them about it.

However, this doesn’t mean that you should let just anyone you know adopt your dog. You still need to be sure they’re the right fit for him, and that they’ll be capable of providing him with all the care and attention he needs.

Rescues and Shelters

There’s also the possibility of using shelters or rescues when you need to give up your Maltese. Rescues are often full, though, because they have no-kill policies. This means that you might not find a local rescue that can take your dog. Still, they are worth trying when you find yourself limited on choices.

Shelters could work, as well. These facilities only have a limited amount of space, though, and to ensure there’s room for incoming animals, they may euthanize. It’s not something they want to do, but they don’t have a choice.
Whether you choose a shelter or rescue, be aware that you’ll have to pay a surrender fee when you drop off your dog. This fee can vary, so contact the organization to check their prices and policies. 

Use Pet Adoption Sites

Pet adoption sites like Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com are another excellent solution. Rehome allows you to create a detailed profile for your dog that is then put in front of the millions of potential adopters that visit Adopt-a-Pet.com every month. They can learn more about your dog and submit applications to adopt. You’ll then review the applications to find the best new home for your Maltese. The site is also full of resources to help you pick the best new home for your dog. It’s an easy and safe option.

How Do I Rehome My Pit Bull?

 When giving up a dog, many pet owners ask, how do I rehome my pit bull? In order to do it in a way that is responsible and ensures your dog’s safety, you’ll need to screen potential adopters, charge a rehoming fee, and follow a few other guidelines to make sure your dog’s new owners are capable of properly caring for the dog. The Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com website has valuable resources to walk you through the process as well as tools to find potential adopters.

Steps You Should Take When Rehoming Your Pit Bull and Why They Are Important

What NOT To Do When Rehoming A Pet

If you’ve ever scrolled through an online classified page, you’ve seen the ads: Pit Bull Free to a Good Home. Sadly, many dogs in “free to a good home” ads end up getting picked up by predators looking for free dogs to use for dog fighting, to sell to labs, and for other illicit activities.

  • These people go to great lengths to convince the dog owner they are looking for a family pet. Some even bring along a child to make it look good. It’s horrifying to think about it, and that’s why you should avoid listing your dog in this manner.
  • Do not rush the process. Whatever the issue that makes you want to rehome the pet, you can likely find resources to help that would allow you to keep your dog. Rehoming should be a last resort after all other options are exhausted. And, if you’ve deciding rehoming is the best course, take your time evaluating potential adopters.

What You SHOULD Do When Rehoming A Pet

Now that you know what you shouldn’t do; here are some things you should do to keep your pet safe.

  • Charge a Rehoming Fee: When you charge a rehoming fee, it reduces the risk of adopting your dog to people looking for dogs for nefarious purposes. Plus, if someone is unwilling or unable to pay $50-$150 or so to adopt the dog, they may not be able or willing to care for the dog properly.
  • Screen Potential Adopters: Screening is a crucial step in making sure you dog ends up in a safe home. There are several questions you can ask to weed out people who are unable to properly care for your dog. For example, if they have had dogs in the past, ask who their vet was and then call for a reference. With Rehome, you’ll find advice on a wide range of screening tools. People will say anything they think you want to hear. That’s why screening them is so important.
  • Sign a Contract: Once you find your pit bull the perfect new home, Rehome will help you finalize a contract with the new adopter. The contract will outline exactly how ownership will be transferred and the experts at Rehome can guide you through the entire contract and rehoming process.

It might seem like a lot, but taking the appropriate steps gives your pit bull the best chance of ending up in a happy home!  

How Do I Surrender My Catahoula Leopard Dog?

If you surrender your Catahoula Leopard Dog, it means that you’re giving him up to a shelter or a rescue. The process for surrendering your dog to one of these facilities can vary from one place to the next. You need to understand the policies of the organization you’re considering before you give up your dog.

Check the Site

The first thing you should do is to check the shelter or rescue’s website to learn more about them. Does the shelter have a specific policy on how long they hold dogs before euthanizing them? Does the rescue specialize in certain breeds? Does the shelter offer sales and adoptions? Check out the site to learn as much as you can about the organization and to get their contact information.

Get in Touch

Once you have learned about the facility, it’s time to call them. During the phone call, they’ll want to know about your dog. They’ll need to know things like his health condition, age, temperament, and the like. This will give them a better idea of what to expect with your dog, and they may get a sense of how easy or difficult it will be for someone to adopt him.

Additionally, they may ask you why you need to give up your dog. They want the best for the animal, and sometimes that means keeping your dog with you. For example, if your dog has behavior issues, they may know some trainers in the area that could help. Often, shelters and rescues will have a list of resources that they can provide.

Of course, we know that it’s not always possible to keep your dog no matter how much you love him. Maybe you have to move and the new place won’t allow dogs of his size. There are countless reasons that you might need to give up your dog. In those cases, the shelter can make an appointment for you to drop him off. They’ll also let you know the cost of the surrender fee.

These fees are generally $50 and up. However, just like the policies, they can vary from one organization and location to the next.

Consider Other Options

While surrendering your dog to a shelter or a rescue is a possibility if you don’t have another choice, take some time to think about your other options. For example, you might have people in your inner circle, such as a friend from work or a cousin across town that’s been thinking about adopting a dog. See if they might be interested in your Catahoula Leopard Dog.

Also, you can find online pet adoption sites that help to make finding a great new owner easier. Rehome is part of Adopt-a-Pet.com and could be a great choice. You can create a profile with images, videos, and a bio of your dog. Interested people can then submit adoption applications that you can review. This gives you the ability to choose a great new owner for your dog that will match his needs.

Photo credit: Krystal Hamlin

How Long Does It Take an English Bulldog to Get Used to a New Home?

It will usually take an English Bulldog between one and three months to get used to a new home. However, you also have to remember that all dogs are different and they’ll take just as much time as they need to feel comfortable in your home. The dog’s age can also play a factor. Puppies and younger dogs will usually grow used to a new place and a new owner faster than older dogs.

Those who have owned English Bulldogs also know that they can sometimes be a bit stubborn about things. For this reason, it might end up taking a bit longer for the dog to fully acclimate to a new home and owner. However, when you use a few strategies, you can help to make this transition process easier on your dog and yourself.

Start Slowly 

The first couple of days that your new English Bulldog is in the house, you don’t want to overwhelm her. Give her a few days to acclimatize to the new surroundings. Let her rest and check the place out for herself. You can introduce her to the family members, of course, but you don’t want to have people over who don’t live in the house. It can become too much when she’s just trying to adjust.

Give her a space of her own, such as a doggie bed, along with some toys. When she goes to her space, let her be by herself for a bit, but make sure that she’s always welcome when she does want to come out and visit.

Over time, she’ll start to come around. It might take a while for her to bond with you as she did with her previous owner, but it will happen. Before long, it will be like she’s always been part of the family.

Prepare for Accidents and Escapes

Your new English Bulldog may be nervous in her new home, so you should be prepared for an upset stomach and maybe some bathroom issues during those first days or so. Sometimes, dogs lose their appetite in the beginning, so she might not eat as much. Watch her for signs of any health issues, but it’s usually just an adjustment period causing this to happen.

You should also be ready for any escape attempts. She might try to slip out when you open up the door and try to find her old owner. Make sure you’re aware of where she is when going into and out of the house.

Create a Schedule

It’s also a good idea to create a schedule as soon as possible. This will be for feeding and walks. Getting your new dog onto a schedule is good for her, and it helps to build a routine that she can learn. It also gets her used to her new life a bit faster. Make sure you also have consistent potty breaks for her and have her get to bed around the same time each night.
As long as you’re patient with her, you’ll see that she’ll begin to come around and feel more welcome in her new home. Just give it some time, love, and care. 

Can A Landlord Make You Get Rid Of Your Dog?

Your landlord cannot make your get rid of your dog without going through proper legal channels. Some will try, and many tenants have rehomed their dog because of a threat from a landlord, but make sure you know your rights before making such a drastic decision. You may be surprised to learn how many protections you have under the law. Laws and regulations vary greatly based on location and other factors, which is why doing your rehome_research is a must.

Never Sign A Lease That Specifies No Pets 

You love the apartment, but the lease says “no pets.” The landlord assures you that it’s just an old lease and pets are fine. Do NOT sign that lease. If the landlord changes his mind about pets down the road, all that will matter is what’s in the lease. Insist on only signing an updated lease that states pets are allowed.

Landlord Threatens to Remove Your Pet

Your landlord cannot enter your unit and remove your pet. He has to go through proper legal procedures. Seek legal advice immediately if your landlord has threatened this type of action. 

Service Animals are Allowed

Even if yours is a no-pet building, service animals are allowed, and you cannot be charged a pet fee. If your landlord is threatening eviction over a service animal, get the advice of a local advocacy group or attorney. 

A New Landlord Wants the Dog Gone

In most cases, the new landlord must abide by current leases. There are exceptions, and that’s why it’s important to know your rights and to get advice from your local housing authority. Of course, once the current lease is up, the new landlord can include language that prohibits pets. 

A No-Pet Clause Is Void In Some Cases 

In some locations, a no-pet clause becomes void if a pet has lived openly (not hidden from the property owners) in the rental for three months. This varies by type of unit and location.

What You Can Do to Prevent Issues With Your Landlord 

  • Never sneak an animal into a rental where pets are prohibited.
  • Be very clear about language in the lease as it relates to pets.
  • Provide proper training for your dog so he’ll be well-behaved.
  • Be honest when moving in about what type of dog and how many dogs you have.
  • Don’t add additional pets without checking that it will be allowed.
  • Always pay required pet fees on time.
  • Pick up after your dog in common areas. 

While your landlord can’t usually demand you rehome your pet right away, if he really wants the dog off the property, he will eventually make it happen. As soon as you realize your landlord is not okay with your dog, start looking for a new place. That way when your lease is up, you’ll already have a plan and won’t have to surrender your pet. 

What Is the One-Bite Rule?

In some laws, the one-bite rule may state that the owner of the dog will only be liable for injuries caused by the pet if the owner knew about the animal’s aggressive tendencies. Sometimes called the one-free-bite rule, this could eliminate the owner’s responsibility for the dog’s first bite. While one has been the norm throughout the country, many states have changed this so that owners may be fully responsible even if they had no solid reason to think their dog would be aggressive.

States With The One Bite Rule 

While laws are always changing, the following states still use the one-bite rule as of this writing:

  • Alaska
  • Arkansas
  • Idaho
  • Kansas
  • Maryland
  • Mississippi
  • Nevada
  • New Mexico
  • New York*
  • North Dakota
  • Oregon
  • South Dakota**
  • Texas
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Wyoming 

*In New York, the one-bite rule applies to criminal liability, but not civil liability.

**In South Dakota, the one-bite rule applies as long as the owner kept the dog from running at large and maintained reasonable control over the animal. 

Strict Liability: The Alternative To The One-Bite Rule 

Unlike states that adhere to the one-bite rule, strict liability states can deem the owner responsible for any dog bite inflicted by their pet. Under strict liability laws, the owner may be responsible whether or not they could have prevented the incident and whether or not they should have reasonably known the dog had aggressive tendencies. 

How Do I Rehome My Labrador Retriever?

If you’re asking “how do I rehome my Labrador Retriever,” you’ve likely decided you can no longer keep your pet. Making a decision like this is not easy and you may be unsure on what your next steps should be. You’ll have a few options when it comes to rehoming your dog, including surrendering her to a shelter, working with a rescue, or rehoming her yourself.

Surrendering Your Labrador Retriever to a Shelter 

This is often the first thing that comes to mind because it’s fast and easy—but it’s important to understand all possible outcomes. Shelters work very hard to find homes for all the dogs in their care, but this isn’t always possible. Talk to the shelter operators about their policies before making this choice.

Working with a Rescue

If you can find a reputable private rescue with space for your dog, this is an excellent option. The problem is that great rescues are usually full and can have long waiting lists. Try breed-specific rescues and keep in mind that you might have a better chance if you communicate with the rescue that you’re able to keep your dog until space opens up.

Rehoming Your Dog Yourself 

Rehoming your Labrador Retriever yourself allows you to stay in control of the situation until you find her a suitable new home. Plus, you’re able to choose the home yourself—and who knows where your dog will be happy better than you?

You might not be sure how to go about finding a new home for your pet, but there are many helpful resources available. Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com offers expert advice, allows you to create a pet profile (you can even include a video!), collect applications from potential adopters, and more.

Taking the time to find the right home is the best way to ensure both your dog’s happiness and your peace of mind! 

How Do I Rehome My Rottweiler?

If you need to rehome your rottweiler, you’ll find several methods you can use to find your dog a great new home. Below, you’ll learn ways that you can rehome your rottweiler, so you can be sure she finds a perfect new place to call home. Rehoming will take a bit of work on your part, but you’ll be happy with the results. It helps to ensure that she has a safe and happy life, and that’s what every pet owner wants.

Finding Someone You Know to Adopt

Naturally, one of the first thoughts that’s likely to spring to mind is letting someone you already know adopt her. It’s a good option since you already know whether they’ll be a good fit for your dog or not. You’ll know whether they can afford to take care of her properly and whether they’ll provide her with the exercise she needs.

Using Online Pet Adoption Sites

There are great adoption sites like Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com that will help you find a wonderful new home for your rottweiler. This site lets you create a detailed profile for your dog, which will include all of the important information about her, and publishes her bio directly onto Adopt-a-Pet.com for millions of potential adopters to see. The profile helps pet searchers find your dog and determine if she’s right for their family. You’ll also enjoy that the site is free for owners to use, and you can review the adoption applications to choose your dog’s new home.

Types of Sites to Avoid

While there are some good sites for pet adoption, there are some sites you should avoid. The want ad sites like Craigslist, for example, might be easy to use, but you have no way of discerning who sees those posts and who trying to get your dog. Sometimes, people don’t have any intention of adopting a dog until they see one on these sites. They aren’t prepared to own a dog. You want someone who is actively looking to adopt a dog like yours.

Why Rehoming Fees are Needed

Rehoming fees are used to help keep your dog safe. You’ll always want to charge a rehoming fee or go through a site like Rehome that charges the adopters. The fees for sites like Rehome will go back into helping get more animals adopted. Fees also mean that it’s less likely someone with bad intentions will try to get your dog. There are terrible people out there who look for free dogs to sell to labs and to use as training animals for fighting dogs. The rehoming fees help to cut down on this risk.

Are Shelters and Rescues the Same as Rehoming?

While it’s possible to surrender your dog to a rescue or a shelter, it’s not truly the same as rehoming. When you surrender your dog, you give up your legal rights to her, and you’ll have no say over who adopts her, or if she gets adopted at all. While these facilities do their best to take care of the dogs and find new homes for them, it’s not always possible.

Most owners will at least want to try rehoming first, as they’ll have more control over where their rottweiler goes.

How Do You Stop a Big Dog from Attacking a Little Dog?

You can stop a big dog from attacking a little dog by being aware of your surroundings and having a plan of how you’ll handle a dangerous situation. Having a plan could save your pet’s life.

Tips For Preventing A Dog Attack 

You love dogs. We get it. The thing is that not all dogs are friendly—and when it comes to loose dogs you don’t know, you should exercise caution. Yes, the large, off-leash dog lumbering towards you could just want to smother you with slobbery kisses, but you don’t know if that’s the case. Hopefully, you’ll never find yourself in a situation where you need to figure out how to stop a big dog from attacking a little dog, but here are some things to keep in mind if you do:

Be Aware

Some people use the time walking their dogs to catch up on emails and post on Facebook. Instead, you should be focused on your surroundings. The more awareness you have of a potential problem, the more time you’ll have to prepare yourself to react—or better yet avoid the situation entirely. Put the phone in your pocket and keep your eyes on what’s going on around you. 

Know What Aggression Looks Like

Understanding the signs of aggression is another important part of awareness. Unfortunately, there is no one sure sign that you or your little dog are about to be attacked. That’s why you need to interpret any sign of aggression as a precursor to an attack even though many times when dogs exhibit such signs no attack occurs. Look for: 

  • The dog’s body becoming very rigid
  • Guttural barking or growling
  • Showing teeth or snarling
  • Raised tail
  • Flat or pricked up ears
  • Intense staring
  • Circling 

Don’t Approach A Strange Dog

People who love dogs want to help anytime they see a dog who may be lost or injured. It’s wonderful to be compassionate, but the time to approach a stray or lost dog is not when you’re walking your small dog. Instead, call animal control and keep walking. 

The Things You Carry

Whether you live in an area where stray and off-leash dogs are common or not, it’s always a good idea to have a plan as to what you’ll do if you encounter one. This includes possibly carrying items you could use to protect yourself. You could carry an air horn that would alarm the attacking dog, a large automatic umbrella that could push away the attacking dog, or purchase dog repellant spray online.  

Situational awareness and a contingency plan for how you’ll deal with a dangerous situation can help stop a big dog from attacking your little dog and help you feel more confident should you be approached by an aggressive dog. 

How Do I Surrender My Jack Russell Terrier?

To surrender your Jack Russell Terrier, you’ll take him to an animal shelter or a rescue. This is different from rehoming, and you should understand the differences before making a decision on which path to take.

When you rehome your Jack Russell Terrier, you’ll find him a new owner who will adopt him directly from you. Surrendering means that you’ll make an appointment with a shelter or a rescue and then bring your dog to them. Once you fill out the paperwork, they’ll then take your dog, and you’ll no longer have rights to him.

If he goes to a rescue, he’ll be kept at the facility until someone adopts him. However, there’s no guarantee that he’ll be adopted. Shelters also try to find people to adopt your dog, but again, there’s no guarantee. Many shelters can only keep dogs for a certain period before they have to make room for incoming pets. This means that they could be transferred to another facility or euthanized. 

Contact the Facility

If you’re going to surrender your dog to a shelter or a rescue, you’ll need to get in touch with them first, since most do not allow you to simply drop off your dog. Check out their website and then call them to get more information about their facility, their policies, and what they need you to do before bringing in your Jack Russell Terrier. Ask them any questions that you might have about what happens to your dog once you surrender them. Most facilities have similar rules, but different locations may have different policies in place.

Do You Need to Surrender Your Dog?

When you contact the shelter or the rescue to surrender your dog, they’ll likely ask you more about why you have to give up your dog. In some cases, they may have some ideas or resources that you can use to help you keep your dog. For example, if your Jack Russell Terrier has some behavior issues, they might have the names of trainers. If you don’t have enough time during the day to spend with your dog, they may have information about local daycare or pet sitters you could use.

In some cases, you might find that there are options to keep your dog. Of course, we know that this isn’t always the case. Sometimes, there are things beyond your control that require you to give up your dog, no matter how much you love and care for him.

What About Rehoming?

Rather than surrendering your dog to a shelter, you might want to consider the benefits of rehoming. When you rehome, you take the time to find a good home for your dog, so you know he’ll be safe and loved.

To make this easier, consider using Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com. The peer-to-peer pet adoption service lets you create a profile for your dog, and then places it directly on Adopt-a-Pet.com for people looking to adopt a dog like yours to see. The platform is free for owners to use, while adopters will only have to pay a small adoption fee. Rehome allows owners the final say in who gets to adopt their dog, and the site is full of tips on how to choose the right adopter, which ensures you with more peace of mind.