How Do You Get an ESA Letter for Housing?

To get an emotional support animal (ESA) letter for housing, you must ask your licensed therapist or other medical professional to write one for you.

Why You Need An ESA Letter 

While emotional support animals do not enjoy the same broad protections as service animals, there are two areas in which they are protected: housing and airline travel. Having a letter ensures that you’ll be able to meet the requirements to have no-pet policies waived and to find rental housing and bring your ESA on a plane with you.

Some landlords may not require the letter, but it’s better to have it just in case. For airline travel, all airlines require an ESA letter and some may even ask for vaccination records and other paperwork.

If a landlord refuses to rent to you once you’ve shown him your ESA letter, he is in violation of the law and you can file a complaint with HUD. Most rentals are included, but there are a couple of exceptions:

  • Single family homes rented out without the help of a realtor.
  • Buildings with four units or less in which the landlord lives in one. 

It is also of note that the landlord is not allowed to charge you a pet fee for your ESA even if other tenants are required to pay a pet deposit. You can, however, be charged for any damage caused by your ESA.

It shouldn’t be difficult to find a rental just because you have an emotional support animal, and the law is on your side. Know your rights, secure your letter, and you should have no problem finding the perfect rental. 

How Do I Give Up My Pit Bull?

If you’re asking how do I give up my pit bull, you’ve likely made the difficult decision to surrender your pet. There are a few options, including surrendering him to a local shelter, working with a private rescue group, or rehoming him yourself. Below we look at the pros and cons each.

Local Shelters

Municipal shelters run by the city or county may not take owner surrenders. Each location is different, so it’s worth checking. Organizations like the SPCA usually do accept owner surrenders.

Pros

  • It usually only takes a day or two, and some might take the dog right away.

Cons

  • Some shelters must euthanize pets due to overcrowding and limited resources. Your dog may be at risk for being put down if he ends up at one of these shelters.

Tips

  • Research the live release rate before surrendering your pit bull (or American pit bull terrier) to a shelter.

Private Rescues

Privately run rescues are another option. Here are the pros and cons of surrendering your pit bull to a reputable rescue.

Pros

  • Rescues usually have stricter adoption policies to ensure pets are placed in homes that fit their needs.
  • Even if your pet does not find a new home, rescues will usually care for your pet indefinitely.

Cons

  • Many rescues are volunteer run and house pets in foster homes which can be full, so you may have to wait for a spot.

Tips

  • Look on social media to find reviews of the rescue.
  • Visit the facility, talk to fosters and former fosters, and do as much rehome_research as you can.

Rehome Your Pit Bull Yourself

This method allows you to choose the new home and to vet any potential adopters. If you have to give up your pit bull, this route will give you the most control and peace of mind.

Pros

  • You get to choose his new family.
  • You give your pit bull the best chance at a safe and happy home.
  • Your pet can stay with you in a stress-free environment while he waits to find his new forever home.

Cons

  • It can take some time to find the right family.

Tips

  • Never list your pet as free to a good home. People who want dogs for fighting, or otherwise want to harm your dog, often look for ads like this.
  • Always charge a rehoming fee.
  • Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com is a free peer-to-peer adoption service that provides information on properly screening adopters, allows you to create a profile for your pit bull, and get him seen by millions of adopters on Adopt-a-Pet.com.

If you have to give up your pit bull, make sure you’re putting him in safe hands!   

What Does It Mean to Surrender a Jack Russell Terrier?

When you surrender a Jack Russell Terrier, it means that you’re giving up your rights to your dog. To surrender your dog, you’ll take him to a shelter or a rescue. However, you need to be sure that you’re following the guidelines of the facility. You’ll also want to know the difference between shelters and rescues, along with other options for giving up your dog.

Contact the Facility

Before you can bring your dog to a shelter or a rescue, you need to get in touch with the facility. They all have their own regulations and rules when it comes to surrendering dogs. Check their website and then call them to learn exactly what you need to do to surrender your dog. They’ll let you know what the surrender fees will be, as well as what paperwork you’ll need to have and fill out when you surrender your dog.

They’ll also want to know why you need to give up your dog. In some cases, they may have some resources to provide you that will allow you to keep your dog. For example, if you spend a lot of time at work and you can’t walk your dog each day, they might suggest that you use a pet sitter or dog walker. They want to give you every opportunity possible to keep your dog.

If you aren’t able to keep your, dog, you can set up an appointment to surrender him to the shelter or rescue. Once you do, you’ll no longer have legal rights to him.

Why Are There Surrender Fees and Adoption Fees?

When you drop off your dog at the facility, they’ll charge a surrender fee, as mentioned. However, when someone adopts a dog through the facility, they’ll have to pay an adoption fee. Fees are charged for incoming and outgoing dogs to help ensure that the organization has enough money to continue operating. The adoption fees, similar to rehoming fees, ensure that there’s enough. 

What About Rehoming?

You don’t have to surrender your dog to a shelter or a rescue when you have to give him up. You also have the option of rehoming, which could be a better solution for your dog. One of the first methods of rehoming is to find someone you already know that might be willing to adopt your dog. You could have a family member that’s been thinking about adopting, for example.

You can also rehome your dog with people that you find online. Using a platform like Rehome is a great option. It’s part of Adopt-a-Pet.com, and it allows you to create a profile, complete with images and videos, for your dog. The profile lets you detail your dog’s traits and personality, along with things that he might not like or issues he has. Being honest in the profile will help to ensure that your dog has the best chance possible of finding a perfect new home.

Do Male And Female Cats Get Along Better?

When introducing a new cat into your household, gender is generally less important than matching energy level, age, size, and personalities.  

Things To Keep In Mind: 

  • Cats don’t like change in general. Sure, you may get lucky and find that your cat is thrilled to have a new friend, but there is a better-than-average chance this won’t be the case. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get another cat, but it does mean you’ll have to be realistic with your expectations and take the time for proper introductions.
  • Don’t force your new cat to share items. Purchase an additional litter box (it’s best to have one litter box per cat plus one additional box), bed, and bowls for the new cat, so everyone can have their own.
  • Don’t just toss them together. Keep the new cat isolated for the first few days and feed your resident cat by the door. After a few days, open the door slightly so they can see other. Then, try a short meeting and slowly increase the time they spend together. This proper introduction provides a better chance for success. Check out our blog article Introducing a New Cat or Kitten to Your Cats for more guidance. 

Over time and with a little patience, it’s likely that your cats will learn to tolerate each other. It may take several months or even longer, but as long as they aren’t fighting with each other, it’s fine to let them move at their own pace. 

What is a Reasonable Rehoming Fee for a Border Collie?

A reasonable rehoming fee for a border collie could be as much as $150 or more. Purebred border collies tend to have higher rehoming fees than dogs that are mixed with one or more other breeds. For most dogs, the costs will be between $50 and $150, but this can vary based on location, breed, etc.

In addition to pure breeds usually having higher rehoming fees, the age of the dog can play a role in the cost, as well. Those who are interested in adopting a border collie should look at the costs in their area to see what the typical prices for rehoming will be. This can give them a better idea of what they can expect whether they’re heading to a shelter to adopt or they’re adopting through a site like Rehome.

Why Are Rehoming Fees Important?

You might be wondering why people and organizations charge rehoming fees. After all, aren’t they hoping that someone will take the dog? While they always want the dogs to be adopted, they also want to make sure that they’re going to the best possible homes. If you had a border collie that you were giving up, you would certainly want to make sure she was going to a great home where she would be cared for and loved.

However, not everyone has love in their heart when it comes to animals. Some people are looking for dogs that they can use to train fighting dogs, or that they could sell to a lab. It sounds harsh, but it is a reality. People with bad intent often look for others who are giving away dogs online. Charging a rehoming fee will help to curb this activity. People like that don’t want to spend money on an animal.

Do Shelters and Rescues Charge Rehoming Fees?

You will find that shelters and rescues will charge rehoming fees for the same reasons as mentioned above. However, they also charge fees because they need funds to continue operating and to provide for the animals under their care. Even when you’re going to a shelter to adopt a dog, you will have to pay a rehoming fee. Again, the price can vary based on the shelter, the location, the dog’s age, whether they’re a pure breed, etc.

To get a better understanding of how much it will cost, you should get in touch with the shelter to learn more about the fees. You will want to learn how much you need to bring to the shelter if you’re planning to adopt.

Adopt Using Rehome

Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com is an online platform that can put potential adopters into contact with owners who are looking to rehome their border collie, along with other breeds. The owners can put up profiles of their dogs, and the adopters can read the profiles to find the perfect dog to bring home. The site does charge a rehoming fee to the adopter, but it is comparable to what would be paid at a shelter or a rescue.

What is the Best Way to Rehome a Catahoula Leopard Dog?

The best way to rehome a Catahoula Leopard Dog is to put in the work to help find him a new home on your own. Fortunately, you’ll find several ways that you can potentially rehome your dog. It’s possible to bring your dog to a shelter or a rescue, but there’s no guarantee that they’ll be adopted from these facilities. Rescues and shelters try to find good new owners for the dogs they have, but it’s not always possible. Therefore, you’ll want to see if you can find a new owner for your Catahoula Leopard Dog.

Although it might take some time, you’ll find that it’s well worth the effort that you put into it. You’ll feel better knowing that you’ve found a wonderful new home for your dog where he’ll be loved and cared for properly.

Rehoming with People You Know 

One of the best and fastest ways to rehome your Catahoula Leopard Dog is to talk with people you know. Maybe you have a friend or relative, or someone in their circle, that’s been looking to adopt a new dog. They might be interested in your dog. This is a benefit to them, and it provides you with some peace of mind. You’ll know you’re giving your dog to someone you can trust.

Rehoming Using an Online Service

If you don’t know anyone looking for a dog of their own right now, you still have the option of choosing an online pet adoption site like Rehome. With Rehome, you can quickly and easily create a profile for your dog complete with photos, videos, and a bio.

The bio should be detailed and provide the potential adopters with all of the information they’ll need about your Catahoula Leopard Dog. This includes all of the good things about him, as well as any potential problems, such as being a barker, having health issues, etc. The more the adopters know, the easier it’ll be to determine whether he’s the right dog for them or not.

Always Be Careful When Rehoming Your Dog

Although many people are looking for a wonderful dog that they can bring home and integrate into their family, some people have other motives for getting a dog. They look for free and cheap dogs online, which they’ll then try to sell to labs or even use for fighting. One of the best ways to ensure that your dog doesn’t go to one of these people is by charging a rehoming fee. People who have ill intentions aren’t likely going to want to pay for a dog, and this helps to reduce the risk for your pet.

The only time that you won’t need to charge a rehoming fee would be when you’re letting someone you already know and trust adopt your dog. When you go through Rehome, as mentioned earlier, the site handles the fees that the adopters pay, and that money goes right back into helping more animals get adopted.

How Do I Give Up My Australian Cattle Dog?

To give up your Australian cattle dog will likely be a tough decision, but you might find yourself in a situation where you do not have a choice. You may be in a tough financial spot that means you can’t take proper care of your dog. You might have to move to a location that does not allow pets. Any number of things could happen.

If you need to give up your Australian cattle dog, you have several options from which you can choose. However, some of these options are better than others.

Online Classifieds

This is an option that many people consider, but it is the worst choice. When you list your dog online through typical classified sites, you never know who will try to get your dog. Having a rehoming fee can help to weed out some of the undesirables, but it is not perfect. There is no way to determine whether you are choosing a good home for your dog or not.

Shelters and Rescues

Giving up your Australian cattle dog to shelters and rescues is another option to consider. While many people naturally worry about putting their dog in a shelter, these facilities do try to care for the dog properly and find them a good home. This can sometimes be difficult, though, so adoption is not a guarantee.

You could also look for Australian cattle dog rescues that specialize in this breed. They can take good care of your pet, but they may still have a hard time finding someone to adopt. Still, it tends to be better and safer than giving the dog to a random stranger from sites like Craigslist.

Giving the Dog to Someone You Know

Another option that you may want to consider is having the dog be adopted by someone you know. This might be a coworker, friend, or family member, for example. One of the benefits of this is that you will likely still be able to get updates on your dog to see how they are doing. If you know someone who is looking for a dog, and you trust them to care for your dog properly, you might want to talk with them. Just make sure that they are a good fit for the dog’s needs.

Give Rehome a Try

Rehome is a platform that is available from Adopt-a-Pet. This is a peer-to-peer platform that allows owners to create a profile for their dog. They can add a bio for their dog with pertinent information, such as their temperament. You can let the potential adopters know whether the dog is good with children and other pets, or if it tries to herd them, as some cattle dogs will do. You can also add photos and videos of the pet here.

Owners who need to give up their Australian cattle dog will not have to worry about any costs of fees. The platform is free for owners to use. The fees, which are about the same as would be paid in a shelter, are covered by the adopter.

What Happens To Pets When Owners Die?

What happens to pets when owners die depends on whether or not the owner made some kind of plans for their pets. If not, the pets often end up at animal control. That’s why it is important for loving pet owners to make plans for what will happen to their pets after their death.

It’s In The Will

While you can’t legally leave your money and belongings to your pet, you can set up a pet trust that provides for your pet’s care after your death. In addition to the money left in the trust, you’ll also need to choose a caregiver. This is the person who will take custody of the pets and who will use the money in the trust for the pets’ care. 

If there is money left after the pets die, you can specify where the leftover money should go such as to another beneficiary, a charity, or the person who was the caretaker of the pets.

Using Rehome 

If a friend or family member of the deceased can temporarily care for the pet, the dog or cat can be posted on Rehome to find a permanent new home. Rehome is a peer-to-peer program that helps a pet go from one home right into another. Simply create a profile for your pet and it will appear on Adopt-a-Pet.com for millions of adopters to see.  

Caring for pets is a big responsibility, so discuss it with them in advance to be sure it’s something they are willing to do. It’s also a good idea to name a backup caretaker in case the first is unable to fulfill the role.  

How Long Does It Take a German Shepherd to Get Used to a New Home?

When adopting or rehoming a pet, you might ask, “how long does it take a German Shepherd to get used to a new home?” You might assume it only takes a few days for a dog to realize he’s safe and loved, but the truth is that it takes time for a dog to decompress after a move and to settle into a new routine. For some dogs, it can take a few months to fully become his best self in his new home.

Why Does It Take So Long? 

Anyone who works in rescue has seen dogs returned after a few days or a few weeks because he just wasn’t fitting in. Sadly, this means the dog has to start back at square one looking for a new home and that the adopters who returned the dog have to restart their search for a new pet.

With a little patience and training, it’s very likely that most German Shepherds will learn their adopter’s routine and become a wonderful pet. That’s why it’s so important not to give up too soon.

But why does it take so long for a dog to get used to a new home?

Dogs are creatures of habit, so change isn’t always easy for them. They need to adjust to the idea that this is their new home and they’ll need time to learn new routines.

A Few Tips 

Here are a few tips for a smooth transition:

  • If you’re adopting a dog who is already in a home, don’t drag out the goodbye from the family giving up the dog.
  • Make the handover quick and pleasant.
  • Give the dog a blanket or other item with familiar scents for the first couple of weeks.
  • If you’re going to change his food, do it gradually.
  • If the dog seems resistant or fearful about certain routines (such as crating) don’t force it in a way that traumatizes the dog. Understand that you might have to start training from scratch.  

    With time and patience, your German Shepherd will learn what’s expected of him and will make a wonderful addition to your home. 

    How Do I Rehome My Great Pyrenees?

    You can rehome your Great Pyrenees with someone you know or you can find someone online who wants to become her new owner. Of course, when you rehome your dog, you need to be careful to ensure that she goes to the best family. Let’s look at some of the things you’ll want to keep in mind when rehoming.

    There Need to Be Rehoming Fees 

    Some wonder why owners charge rehoming fees at all. They feel that since the owners need to give up their dog, they should just give them up to a good home. The problem is that it’s difficult to tell who is going to provide a good home just meeting them once or talking to them on the phone or online a couple of times. Some people look for free dogs who resell them to labs, for example. Others might use the dogs for fighting or to train dogs to fight.

    The rehoming fees are used as a means to deter these types of people from trying to get your Great Pyrenees. This is why you need to charge a rehoming fee in the vast majority of instances. The only time that you wouldn’t need to charge a fee is if you’re giving the dog to someone you already know and trust.

    Rehoming Online

    The Internet has helped to make it easier to find people in your area who are looking to adopt a dog. However, you’ll need to be careful about the sites you’re using for this purpose. Stay away from the standard classified ad sites. Even though they might have sections for pets, they’re not typically the places to find the candidates best suited to your dog.

    Instead, look at pet adoption sites like Adopt-a-Pet and their Rehome platform. This is a peer-to-peer tool that lets you set up a profile for your Great Pyrenees. You can upload photos and videos of her, as well as a detailed bio. This can give the potential adopters more information about the dog to see if she’s right for them or not.

    Since you want to have her go to the best home, be honest and forthright in the bio. If she doesn’t like children, let people know in the bio, for example. This ensures that only those who are right for your dog will submit adoption applications.

    You can sort through the applications and then determine which of the potential adopters will be best for your dog. This gives you peace of mind, knowing that you did everything you could to ensure she gets a nice new home with a loving family.

    Rehoming with People You Know

    Perhaps you know a relative or a friend who has been looking for a new dog. If they’re interested in adopting, and you feel they’ll be a good fit for your Great Pyrenees, talk with them. If they already know your dog and they like the idea of having a large dog, it could be a good choice.