No longer able to look after your animal? Read Gumtree’s guide on how to safely rehome a dog.
What to do if you can’t keep your dog
Your first port of call is to assess if there’s any way your dog can remain part of the family they’ve come to know. Perhaps you can no longer give your dog as many walks as it needs, or you find you have to leave them alone for more extended periods. Is there a family member who can help to take care of them, either by helping with the odd walk, keeping them company during the day or even having your dog living with them for a while?
Alternatively, is there someone locally you can team up with like a dog walking service or dog sitter? That way, they’ll get all the exercise, play and attention they’re missing – and if they’re acting out due to boredom, this could lead to an improvement in behaviour as well. You may also want to read our guide on tips for choosing a local dog walker.
Should I rehome my dog?
If you’ve done everything you can but still can’t find a way to keep your dog, you may want to begin the process of rehoming. There are three options here:
- direct rehoming via a charity that will arrange a new home for your dog
- rehoming via a dogs’ home or shelter
- rehoming directly to a new owner that you arrange yourself
Some charities, such as Blue Cross, offer a direct rehoming service where they try to place your dog in a new home directly from yours. This means that your dog doesn’t need to go to a rehoming centre, which is often less stressful for the pup. The charity will help pair your dog with a suitable new home and arrange meetings and the transfer. However, this does mean you’d need to be able to keep your dog throughout the process, which may not always be possible.
If you can’t keep your dog with you during the rehoming process, you may want them to be transferred to a rehoming centre. Do bear in mind this can still take a while, as dog adoption centres are often over-stretched and we don’t recommend that you just turn up with your dog at a centre in the hope that there’ll be space. All rehoming charities – the RSPCA, Dogs Trust, Blue Cross, Battersea and others – have a fairly similar rehoming process. They’ll take your call without judgement and listen to your situation so they can work out how to help. They’ll probably then arrange a meeting with your dog to assess any special needs or behavioural issues. Finally, they’ll try to find space in one of their centres and set a date.
How to rehome a dog safely yourself
Many people prefer to try to rehome their dog privately, perhaps by spreading the word through Gumtree. That way, they have more of a say in the kind of home their dog ends up in.
Where can I post to rehome my dog?
Why not start by spreading the word via family and friends? This way there will already be an element of trust, even if your dog ends up finding a home with a friend of a friend. You can also put a notice up at your workplace or a school, if this is something that’s appropriate and agreed with the right people. Again, this could mean you already have some level of insight into where your dog may end up. Of course, you can also post on Gumtree, as this will reach local people searching for a dog to give a loving home.
When writing a rehoming post:
Don’t:
- Advertise as ‘free to a good home’ – this may attract puppy farm breeders and, potentially, owners without the funds to properly care for your dog
- Advertise with a rush time limit – again, this can attract the wrong sort of owner, or encourage potential owners to rush into a decision, leaving your dog in an inappropriate home
Do:
- Be completely open and honest – try to let people know exactly why you’re rehoming your dog, as well as any behavioural and health issues they might have. If you’re upfront about this, you’ll stand a better chance of finding an owner happy to take on the challenge of welcoming your dog into their life
- Consider spaying or neutering your dog – it’s beneficial if you can get this done before rehoming as it tends to help dogs be calmer in a new environment. It also helps out the new owners and puts off puppy farmers with poor intentions
- Do proper checks and visits first – this is important both to make sure your dog goes to a suitable and loving home and to ensure your own safety during the handover
How do you check a potential new home for your dog?
If you’ve decided to go down a private rehoming route, via Gumtree, for example, your own safety, as well as your dog’s, should be your main consideration. You’ll probably start with a discussion with the potential new owners to check their suitability for your dog and how compatible their home and lifestyle are. We always advise arranging to meet up in a public place first, such as a park, as a safe environment. After this, you might also like to see their home and introduce your dog to it. However, all in-person meetings should be treated with caution and carried out at your own discretion. You should never put yourself and your dog in a situation where you feel unsafe.
What is a reasonable rehoming fee for a dog?
Rehoming fees for private rehoming are usually £50 or more. The main reason for this is to put off potential adopters with bad intentions. Because having a dog is a financial investment, it’s also a way of making sure the new owners will be able to make this commitment. If you feel guilty about taking the money yourself, you can always make the ‘fee’ a charity donation, perhaps to a dogs’ charity.
How to rehome an older dog
Charities are very used to rehoming older dogs when they outlive their owners and will help pair them with suitable households who want to give an old dog a loving home. If you’re rehoming privately, be open about the dog’s age in your advert and explain all you know about your dog’s personality. Plenty of people may prefer an older dog if they don’t have the capacity to deal with a bouncy puppy.
How to rehome a dog with bite history
Dogs with a history of biting are certainly harder to rehome. We recommend you seek help from a professional rehoming service or charity if you find yourself in this situation. You may want to see a dog behaviourist or even ask your vet for help with aggression, too. A reputable rehoming centre will also do an assessment of your dog’s behaviour on arrival. Ultimately, they will base their final decision on whether your canine can be rehoused by balancing the needs of the dog with the safety of the general public.
We hope that this article has helped you to figure out the best solution for you and your pet, so your dog can find a new home where it can be comfortable and happy. And if you have pet supplies or toys in good condition you no longer need, why not try advertising them on Gumtree? That way, another pup can enjoy using them.
