Circumstances sometimes force dogs (and other pet) owners to look for a new home when they can’t keep their pet with them any longer. People often don’t want to relinquish the dog to a shelter, afraid that the animal will be put down if it doesn’t find a new home. With few options open to them, the owners advertise the pet on a public forum as “free to a good home” – with disastrous results for the dog.
If the owner doesn’t take precautions, the unfortunate dog can end up in unacceptable circumstances, neglected, abused or even used in dog fights or as breeding stock in a puppy mill. If you care about your dog, don’t take the chance that it will be mistreated by unscrupulous new owners.
This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use an online forum to find a new home for your dog; just take the time and effort to make sure your dog is re-homed with the right people when you can’t keep it any longer.
If you decide to re-home your dog privately, there are some steps you can take to minimize the risk of your dog ending up in a bad situation.
Spay or neuter your dog, especially if it’s a purebred, before re-homing.
Draw up an adoption contract, there are examples online or at welfare organizations.
Have an adoption fee; you can always give the money to animal welfare.
If your dog has issues, for instance with other dogs, children, pets or health problems, be honest about that with the prospective owners.
Do a home check, get a feel for the people, the circumstances and other pets.
If they have pets, speak to their vet.
Do follow-up visits, particularly if you’re not sure.
Take your time – you and the dog may deeply regret hasty decisions.
Listen to your instincts. Meet the people on the neutral ground and see how they and the dog interact. Dogs’ instincts are often better than that of humans
Like most issues in life, re-homing has another side – that of the new owner. If you want to adopt a dog, the first rule is to never agree to take a dog unless you have seen it and asked questions from its owners.
Make sure the dog you want to adopt is a good fit for you and your family. A number of dogs are in shelters because their previous and new owners didn’t communicate. If possible, see the dog in the circumstances it will encounter at your home; for instance with children, other dogs etc.
Adoption is a wonderful way to give a dog a new chance in life; but only when both parties are honest, take their time and make an effort. To get it wrong will lead to disappointment and can even have disastrous consequences.
Re-homing a dog should be treated as a serious business by everyone involved.