How to find a new home for your pet.
There occasionally comes a time when a beloved pet has to go to a new home, for whatever reason. Unfortunately some people abandon animals in the country, at vet clinics, at shelters, or even on a neighbour's door step (with food and litter!). But there are better ways. They just take a bit of planning and research.
On our Links page you will find links to local shelters and rescue agencies. We also list animals on this website. Take a few minutes to browse these sites, and talk to the people at the shelters as they are the specialists in re-homing animals. Among the pure-bred animals there are many societies and rescue groups that specialise in the relocation of pets. They often can deal with more difficult animals through fostering programmes, where the animal is evaluated to allow for a better placement. Place an ad in the local paper, on Kiji or similar sites, local shops, shelters and vet clinics.
Whatever you do, DO NOT abandon your animal, anywhere! Not only are you putting your pet at risk, but there is a public safety risk of abandoned animals on and around roads, causing accidents.
To make it easier to re-home any pet you should keep the following in mind:
- Your pet should be neutered. It is often easier to re-home a neutered pet.
- Make sure the vaccinations are up-to-date.
- Write out a complete history of the pet, including temperament and medical history. Do not hide any details.
- Be prepared to pay a surrender fee if the animal is going into a shelter. They will have to house and feed your pet until it is adopted, and shelters run on very limited budgets.
- Give yourself lots of time. Don't leave yourself in a position where you feel you have to "dump" your pet to meet a deadline (i.e. moving house, or landlord's edict).