When should a pet be re-homed?
 

I was just reading a heartwrenching post on Craigslist about a woman looking to find a new home for her 6 year old shih tzu, and I started wondering - what would possible make me think of re-homing one of my pups?

I see people giving all types of reasons for getting rid of their animals. Some seem selfish and petty, some very sad and legitimate. People say they're having a baby, got a new/second job, moving, death/illness in the family, getting married, getting divorced, don't have enough time to spend with their pet/pet needs more attention than they can give, etc.

In this posting I was just reading, the woman said she had recently been paralyzed in a car accident and could no longer even hold her pup, let alone walk it, groom it, feed it, etc. I cried when I read her story - she so obviously loved her baby and only wanted what was best for it.

What might make you consider re-homing your yorkie (or any pet)? If you don't have enough time for them, is re-homing the best thing to do? I feel torn on that question......do you leave them neglected and ignored, or do you send them off to an unfamiliar place hoping they'll have a better life?

I have never give a pet away or rehomed one hubby saids if it comes here to live it stays for ever but that is just me and i have had all kinds of them i have even had lil squirrel monkeys

That is very sad. The end of your quote is very powerful. Now I am sitting putting myself in her position...something I never thought of before. May God bless her with a sound solution.

Personally I would have a problem rehoming any of my pets but with that said I would not have Sophie Kate if my ex employee had not rehomed her (or willing gave her up when I kind of forced the issue).

I think sometimes people give up really easy on a pet, especially puppies because they forget that all the work that goes into having a pet. In those cases sometimes it better to rehome them not sure how I feel on this case.

I have known people who have had to rehome a pet from a relative that has passed, in both cases they were very selective to make sure the pet went to a home where it would be treated well. In one case it was a dog and they enlisted the help of a breed specific rescue to help them place her.

I have made it point to stop reading ads on Craigslist, they either make me really sad, or really angry.

I can't imagine not being able to make time for a little one I brought into my home for a lifetime. I really believe it comes down to wanting to make time and preferring to do other things and putting the pet second.

Personally, with the exception of a serious health problem that would physically prevent me from caring for the dog, I don't see any good reason for rehoming. Marriage/baby/move just doesn't cut it in my opinion. I wouldn't send one of my skin kids away for any of those reasons.

Thats a sad story, but I think it was best for the pet.


I had to re-home a yorkie I had. His name was Pigpen. He was out of control! At the time we had a small apt, Peanut did just fine. Peanut is the kind of dog that doesnt mind taking a walk, loves to hang out and sunggle. Pigpen on the other hand HAD to be walked (30 mins a day) or he would be bad, chew on everything, chew on baseboard, irritate Peanut... Dh and I felt that Pigpen needed more in life than what we had to offer him. I talked with DH and we felt it would be best to rehome him. I really didnt want to but I felt he wasnt happy. I found a family, Wife,Husband, 8 year old skin kid, and she had a 5 year old, and a 3 year old. She had a maltese but the maltese grew old and passed away. I went over to her house to see it and make sure it was safe, and I wanted to make sure the people were nice. After meeting them, I realized this is where Pigpen should be. They had a really nice gated backyard with grass, pool sandbox... it was really nice. I made the choice to rehome in to that family. She was also a stay at home Mom! They were so happy with him...They loved him as soon as they saw him. Which made me feel more comfortable.

About 3 months later, I went to go visit. I took Pnut with me and we went over there. He was so happy to see us, more Pnut than me LoL. He was like a different dog, he was trained to go pee outside, and not on pads, I could see he had a special bond with the oldest boy, I was sooooo happy on the choice I made. He was able to run around in the grass, and have someone throw his ball for him! He had 6 people to love him and care for him... All the attention in the world!!


I felt bad for what I did, I felt like it was my responsibility to make it work, and take care of him. I sometimes feel like I am a bad person for what I did, but I took several weeks to find the RIGHT family, to me it wasnt about selling him, it was about finding the right fit for his personality. I was the one that bought him, I was the one that picked him.. but I felt that he needed more in life ( if that makes sense) I look at it now and think that was the best choice for him. I know that he is happy now, so thats all that matters to me.

That's how I feel, too. For me, my yorkies are part of my family - they're my babies. I can't imagine suddenly deciding I just don't have time for them. I'm the one who decided to bring them into my home and I'm the one who took responsibility for them - not them.

This woman's story really hit me, though. It made start to think of what would happen if I couldn't (not wouldn't but COULDN"T) take care of my munchkins. :(

That's so true!

Oh, how awful about the lady on Craig's List. To me that is a valid reason.

I have really thought about this and I hope there would never be a reason I would have to rehome my girls, except for my own death. I have also made arrangements with a friend, in that case.

But, I know there are circumstances that just cannot be predicted. I have always thought that the weirdest things can happen.

Your question really makes me think, if nothing else. I am with you on the tears, hearing the lady's story about her accident and lack of ability in being a good pet owner.

Your post is really making me think, too. I just said something about responsibility and then I read your post. You make some excellent points, ones I hadn't really thought of before. What if the pet is unhappy and would do better in a different environment? Do they deserve that chance?

That must have been a very difficult decision for you, but it sounds like it was a good one for Pigpen and his new family. :)

I agree with you ladies. For me and my pups, given our situation, death/illness/severe injury are the only things that could make me part with them.

Lovespandp just made a good point though - what if you truly felt the change was in the pet's best interests like she did? I'm blessed to never have been in her situation.....I can't imagine how difficult that was for her to do.

I would rehome if I couldnt care for the animal in the manner that it needed to be cared for either emotionally or financially

I do not know what kind of response I will get from others on here but I have rehomed a couple of my dogs. I actually cried when the people picked them up. I told them through my tears that I was okay I was just going to miss them. One was allergic to something in my yard. The vet told me that I could keep him on benadryl for the rest of his life and limit his time in the yard or be more humane and thoughtful of him and find him a home where he could live to the fullest. I trusted the vet. It took time but I did find that home. I also had a big dog that bite 2 of my sons friends. We had to pay the ER bill and all for one and the SPCA took him for a few days. We did not know it at the time but his friends were teasing him and spraying him with water when we were not home. :( That was why he went for them when they were within reach. I even had a trainer come over and see about working with him. She was actually the one who knew of a really great home for him. He has his own recliner style chair in his new home.

Having worked with rescues it would take something that I could not change like the situations above to make me rehome one of my babies. Mine are mine for life. I actually have 2 cats that I rescued because the owners no longer wanted them.

My heart does go out to this woman because she is already suffering and now apparently does not have a caregiver willing to help her enough so that she can keep her baby. Animals have awesome healing powers for our soul and spirit. It is sad that she will not be able to keep this little one that she obviously loves dearly.

It was very hard, for me. I loved him. I still get updates and pictures from his new family, They had to rename him Piglet bc the youngest wasn't able to say "pigpen" it came out as Piglet, so that was his new name. For the most part People pick Pets, Pets dont choose who they want to go with. If they are an active dog, and a nonactive family picks them, I think its kinda sad for the dog. Im not saying re home your pet, but I think sometimes it is best. In that case, But I think it should be done the right way. You should screen people, see their house, ask questions.. If you are going to do it make sure you do it the right way. I could have made more money than what I made on him, but it wasn't about that to me. It was making sure he would be taking care of, and making sure I don't have to worry about him. I don't, I know where he is at, I know he is loved and spoiled.

The best part of this family is knowing they wouldn't try to resell him. I told them that I had his papers, and they didn't even want the papers. Omg when they said that I was so happy! I was so worried of not finding him a good home. or have them trick me of being good people and then reselling him or something like that..

I think he did deserve a chance, I think he did deserve to be in a family, where I know he would excel in. Yes he was my choice and responsibility, but I also made sure he was going to a great home. Do I feel bad for re-homing him? Yes, but I feel better where he is at. So that's my take on rehoming.

I dont agree with rehoming but, if the dog you have can have a better life then I think you have to do what is best for the dog.

Finances - another good point! I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't afford food or medical care for mine. There are more sides to the re-homing issue than I realized. I admit, when I see so many of those ads on Craigslist (or anywhere really), I haven't always had nice thoughts about the people posting them.

I don't think I could ever rehome a dog I loved. The only way I could do it, is if I was out of my mind and not able to make rational decisions. I certainly would not consider Craig's List ever.

Yes BonBon I have been in your shoes and still do get in them before I rethink. It is easy to decide if someone is doing something for the right or wrong reasons based off of the limited info we might have.

I have had to bite my tongue or still my fingers sometimes.

Some people are more reserved and will not tell you the "whole story". They just realize that they need to find a better situation for their loved pet and are trying to do that in a way that they find comfortable.

Craigslist though has gotten out of control and so I think most people just to a negative conclusion regarding posts on their due to past postings they have read.

As a whole we need to be more compassionate to others if they let us know there is hard times in their life. It is hard to live by but I think in the end it is the best solution.

I found myself in an awful situation. I used to breed Bengal cats and only stopped when my daughter came into our lives. I spayed and neutered my breeding cats and had kept a little female from our first litter and a boy from our last litter (7 years apart). I didn't realize that this little boy would grow up and would viciously attack his mother and sister. He also would chew our furniture, socks, toys - basically anything that was cloth. I kept him until he was 8 years old - our home was a total battle zone and our black unrelated cat was a lover, not a fighter and would be brutalized by Khash. I put ads on kijiji and our vet's office and the local paper - I was totally honest and told people he chewed fabric and would probably never grow out of it - surprisingly enough I could not find a home for him. One day my brother in law who lives on a farm offered to take him as a barn cat - it took me another year, thinking about my gorgeous Bengal becoming a barn cat - how would he do outside (he was always an indoor only cat). Finally I thought I had no other choice and I brought him to the farm. Let me tell you he is having the best life - we go and visit him and he is totally socialized, follows his new family around everywhere and still loves to cuddle. Mind you, he has killed mink and there isn't a rat or mouse to be found, at least not for very long. For us this is the best situation. Before anyone thinks I threw my cat away, I have always offered my home to my animals long term. My doberman Josie was 13 1/2, the mother of my kittens died at 15 years, just weeks before our black cat died, also 15. We still have the kitten from our first litter, she's now 15 years old and seems really healthy. Sometimes, rehoming really is the best answer.

oops - duplicate post - sorry!

My parents had to rehome my grandparents little Boston Terrier after they moved into an assisted living place. My parents kept her for a little while but they just didn't trust her around my small (at the time) kids. She was so used to being with two elderly people and she was a little elderly herself so she needed a special home. The people that took her were perfect for her and we hear she's very happy. So, not all re-homing is bad but I hate to see it done on a whim or for selfish reasons.

I have rehomed a dog. I had a cocker spaniel that loved to run! She needed constant supervision when she was in my (large) backyard, otherwise, she would get a good gallop going and go OVER a 6 foot fence. I got more phone calls than I could count from my daughter's school (2 blocks away) telling me that Belle was up there visiting again. When I got put on bedrest with my 2nd daughter, I tried to get her to go pee out in the garage on a pee pad. She ate through the alternator wires in my mini van.:eek: I ended up sending her to my parent's house with the understanding that she would come back as soon as I had my daughter and could stand there with her outside again. Problem was, my parents fell in love with her and didn't want to give her back. She lived another 13 years with them quite happily as only (spoiled) doggie.

I hope I never have to be in that position but one never knows. I would exhaust all options, cheaper food, cutting back on everything for myself that I could etc, but if that was not enough I would find the next best possible home for them. Having 4 and getting older I worry sometimes what would happen if? Volunteering at a shelter I hear all sorts of reasons and you can tell the ones that are truly heartbroken that they are having to give up their beloved pet, then there are the ones that just say, they are having accidents, not using the litter box, etc and don't want to be bothered anymore. Most times after they are given good vet care the issues go away and they go on to find a great home. The big problem as I see it is that many people just don't take it as a life time commitment. We had a 6 month old female boxer puppy come in last week while I was there. The husband, wife and little girl came in. The little girl (about 4-5) screamed around the whole time and was truly annoying, the puppy was well behaved. The wife wanted him to get rid of the puppy and the man was having a hard time leaving the puppy. Personally I would have left the kid. LOL Having taken in Nikki when his owner had a stroke and has since passed, I do see that they can adapt to a new family. Nikki is attached to me as he was his previous owner. I also think it depends a lot on the pet and the new family. To take on a rehomed animal you have to go into it knowing their could be major adjustments. If you don't then there is the possibility the poor baby will have to yet again be rehomed.

I took in a dog about three months ago that needed to be rehomed. In fact, 3 out of the 4 Yorkies that I've had were rehomed. The first was 11 months old, the second was 9 months old, and my most recent has just turned one year old.

I can honestly say that all three of them made a very easy transition, and didn't seem distressed (even my first one, which came from very deplorable conditions, I really consider him to have been a "rescue").

My most recent, Chuy, came from a nice middle aged couple. She had been laid off from work for several months when she got him as a pup, and had pretty much given up on finding a job. This dog had her full attention for his first 6 months in the home when she got a job offer and took it. It was a great job, but it kept her away from home many more hours than her previous jobs. Her husband traveled a lot for his job and was often away from home. So this poor pup had bad separation anxiety and was kept in the laundry room during the day, often for up to 50 -60 hours per week. Alone.

Now I don't think it's bad to leave your pup for a few hours or even keep them confined in a nice sized area when you are gone to keep them safe. I used to be gone a good 48 hours per week and didn't want my dog alone. I didn't like that situation for the dog, and remedied that by getting a second one. Dogs are pack animals and not loners.

It was very difficult for this couple to give him up, they loved him dearly and it was very sad. But they put the needs of the dog and their love for the dog over and above their own pain. He is very happy here. My husband is retired and I don't work, and between my husband, myself, and Jezebel, he is never lonely. He has humans around most of the time and another pup, only 3 weeks older and almost the same size to play with all day. I'm sure he is much happier. He doesn't display any signs of separation anxiety when we have to leave him for a little while, because he isn't left alone.

And he is so sweet and loving, he is in my lap right now making it difficult for me to type. We need only of those internet acronyms, like "LOL" or "POS" to describe the difficulty of tying with a dog on your lap --- maybe "DOL" for "dog on lap"!

I have had to rehome a pet, I would only give it to a family member that loves cats. I had a newborn and "Smokey" would not stay out of his crib, playpen, cradle. This was over 25 years ago and it was scary then.

But she lived to a ripe old age. I would only rehome if ABSOLUTELY necessary, and as Pigpen's owner, only to a family that I trusted to give it a better life.

It's sad to have to give away a pet you love.

I agree! If ever one of my babies had to be re-homed (God forbid!) and I was unable to do the screening myself, I would contact a reputable rescue that I know does in home visits, checks veterinary references, and everything else they can to ensure a loving forever home.

The problem with that is not knowing where your pet goes. I wanted to do it myself even it was on craigslist.. I wanted to screen them, meet them, see their house, backyard EVERYTHING!

Exactly! I see that happening so often that I guess I've hardened to those who really are just trying to do the best they can.

To those of you who've shared your stories here - thank you. It's reassuring to know how much thought and effort people can & do put into finding another home for their pets. You've given me a lot to think about.

I have re-homed a dog and it was the hardest day in my life. Long story short- I have a Rott/Aussie mix which is 4 and the 2nd dog I brought in for his friend was his half brother and full Aussie. Well they got along for the most part at first; We got the full Aussie at 3 wks because the mom abandoned the pups--very sad since she was a great mom to the Rott/Aussie mix. Mom was an aussie dad was the rott by the way. Well as time went on the Aussie started getting very aggressive and was hurting his big bro all the time. Broke my heart. We tried many things and nothing worked. We even had them fixed and it was still an issue. Well we got a Pit that we were fostering for my hubby's bro and he was strictly inside but when he went outside the Aussie would attack him... this Pit was very lenient and an awesome dog who was fixed also. Well we got our 1st yorkie at this time and I didn't even think about letting Mason out back but one day in a hurry I put him out back and the Aussie attacked my Rott/Aussie and Mason jumped on the Aussie defending the Rott. Scary I'd say the least but Mason is a big dog in a small body, well at least that's what he thinks. My Rott couldn't eat, pee, drink, etc with out the Aussie jumping on him and fighting him... which he wasn't raised like that. We deliberated for weeks about it and found an old man in town that needed a farming companion. Had huge space of land and no other dogs and I'm happy to say that it was the best decision made. I was HEARTBROKEN and balled for weeks after we let him go cause he too was our baby. But now I have just the Rott and 2 yorkies and everyone is living in peace (most of the time, Mason sometimes doesn't like the Rott but he gets over it) and that is what really counts to me! Just thought I'd share... .because that is the only reason I'd give up an animal... After that we incorporated our Rott to be a full inside dog which is why Mason is a lil touchy but it works and they all get the love and attention needed.

I understand, I'd want the same thing. But if for some reason I wasn't able to do all that for myself I wouldn't just offer them on Craigslist. I'd want someone I could trust to do all that for me and make sure that my baby only went to a terrific, loving home. As a matter of fact, I replied to that Craigslist ad this morning and offered the woman the names of some local rescue groups that I know of. In case she wasn't comfortable with the idea of rescue (some people aren't), I also offered to help her make phone calls, screen applicants, visit potential homes, etc. I just couldn't stand the thought of that beautiful little girl who'd lived her whole life loved and pampered being handed off to a complete stranger off of Craigslist.