Tag: First Batch

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.

How Do I Give Up My Shih Tzu?

If you need to give up your Shih Tzu, you’ll find several options that could work for you. Although it’s likely the last thing that you want to do, sometimes, you might feel that you have no other choice but to give up your dog. It’s a sad time, but you need to be sure that you’re doing the best thing for him. Let’s look at some of the options that you have for giving up your Shih Tzu.

Shelters or Rescues Are an Option

For many people, one of the first things they consider when they have to give up their dog is the shelter. It’s often the first thought because it’s one of the more common options. However, this doesn’t mean it’s the only option or the best option for that matter.

Shelters do their best to take care of the dogs in their facility. Those who work at the shelter truly care for the animals. However, they’re often hampered by having a limited amount of space and funding. This means that it’s not always possible for them to keep the dogs long enough to be adopted. When this happens, the dogs may be euthanized.

Another option is giving your dog up to a rescue. These facilities will keep your dog until someone adopts him. Of course, there’s no guarantee that he’ll be adopted. Additionally, rescues are often full because they’re no-kill facilities. It can be hard to get your dog into a rescue.

Letting Someone You Know Adopt

Another option to think about, and one that can work quite well, is allowing someone you know to adopt your Shih Tzu. You might already know someone who is looking for a dog, such as a friend or a family member. Since you know them well, you can ascertain whether they’re a good choice for your dog or not. If they already know your dog, they might want to adopt him.

Of course, if you allow a friend or family member to adopt your dog, you need to be careful about visiting. You don’t want to visit right away. You have to give him time to adapt to his environment and new owner, so he realizes that it’s his new home. If you visit too soon or too often, it can confuse him.

Using Online Pet Adoption Sites

There’s also the option of free pet adoption sites on the Internet. Make sure you’re using an actual adoption site like Rehome rather than a site like Craigslist. This ensures that people don’t just stumble across your dog and try to adopt on a whim. You want someone who is actively looking for a dog to adopt. Additionally, you need to be sure that a rehoming fee is charged. This helps to eliminate the wrong people from getting their hands on your dog.

Rehome is a good option. This platform from Adopt-a-Pet.com makes it easy for you to set up a profile, along with images and videos, for your dog. It puts him in front of potential adopters who can fill out applications. You will have full control over who gets to adopt your dog, and it’s entirely free for owners to use.

Do Cats Learn If You Punish Them?

Punishing cats will often lead to more behavior issues and may make your cat fearful of you. It is not recommended. When your cat displays behaviors you don’t like, your first thought shouldn’t be punishing him. Instead, try to determine why your cat is engaging in the inappropriate behavior and take steps to correct it. For example, if the cat is scratching your furniture, provide several scratching posts throughout the house. Also, yelling or hitting are never acceptable punishments for cats and will never yield the desired results.

Tips for Changing Your Cats Behavior

Often, changing undesired behavior in your cat is as easy as changing the environment. Here are a few examples: 

  • Scratching Furniture: Cats have to scratch. If they are scratching your furniture or walls, yelling at them to stop will be completely ineffective as it’s a thing they need to do. Instead of looking for ways to punish the cat, simply provide them with scratching posts. Place a post in all areas of the home where the cat spends time. When you observe him scratching furniture, redirect him to a nearby scratching post.
  • Urinating Outside the Litter Box: Many cats will not go in a dirty litter box, and many cats don’t like to share. Some issues with urinating outside the box are as easy to solve as adding more litter boxes—as a general rule, you should have one litter box per cat plus one additional box—and keeping them clean by scooping at least once a day. Note: If a cat that has always gone in the box is suddenly urinating in inappropriate places, it could be due to a medical condition. Schedule a visit to your vet to rule out a urinary tract infection and other issues.
  • Rough Play/Biting: When your cat plays rough or bites, you may be tempted to swat him on the nose or otherwise show him who is boss. This can lead to a fearful cat or a cat who feels like he needs to fight harder to protect himself. Instead, realize that your cat is very likely just playing. When he gets too rough, immediately stop playing and walk away. Also, provide toys that are appropriate for pouncing and “hunting,” so your cat will have a way to participate in these normal cat behaviors.

Yelling, hitting, and other physical punishments are not likely to make the undesired behaviors stop and will result in a fearful cat that doesn’t trust you. If you’re at the end of your rope, contact an animal behaviorist for advice tailored to your situation.   

Does Mud Bay Take Dogs?

Mud Bay helps many homeless pets find their forever homes, but they do not take dogs from owners. They do hold adoption events throughout the year in partnership with local animal rescue groups, however.  

Rehome Your Dog Yourself To Give Him The Best Chance At A Happy Home 

One of the best options for pet parents who have decided they can no longer keep their dog is to rehome their dog themselves. It might seem overwhelming and it will likely take some time, but it is the best way to ensure that your dog goes to a safe and loving home.

There are resources available to help you find the right home. One of them is Rehome. This free service allows you to create a profile for your dog, connect with potential adopters, and accept applications. 

You’ll also find advice about how to screen adopters, how to present your pet in the best light, and much more.

Visit the website to learn more about finding a great home for your dog.