A Guide to Rehoming Your Pet Responsibly

Rehoming a beloved pet is never easy, but when it’s necessary, doing it yourself is one of the most compassionate options. Shelters are unfamiliar and stressful environments, and even the most adoptable animals can struggle in a kennel setting. By finding a home directly, you can ease your pet’s transition, avoid the shelter altogether, and choose the adopter yourself.

This guide walks you through the rehoming process step-by-step—from creating a strong adoption listing to screening potential adopters and making the transition as smooth as possible for everyone involved.

Step 1: Prepare Your Pet’s Adoption Profile

A great listing will help your pet stand out—and connect with the right adopter.

Don’t shy away from disclosing challenges—transparency builds trust and helps match your pet with someone who’s truly prepared.

Need help writing a great pet bio? Check out How to Write Adoptable Pet Bios

Step 2: Get the Word Out

The more people who see your pet’s story, the more likely you are to find a great match.

Online platforms:

• Adopt-a-Pet’s Rehome program
  
• Home to Home
  
• Get Your Pet
  
• Petbond.com
  

Print and share flyers:
Use free design tools like Canva to create an eye-catching flyer. Print copies to post at:

• Vet clinics
  
• Pet stores and groomers
  
• Coffee shops and churches
  
• Community bulletin boards
  

Network with people you know:
Email your flyer to friends, family, coworkers, and local rescue groups. Even if someone isn’t looking for a pet, they may know someone who is.

Step 3: Screen Potential Adopters

Once people start reaching out, have a casual phone conversation first to see if they’re a good fit. Here are some questions to guide your conversation:

General questions:

• Have you had pets before? What happened to them?
  
• Do you currently have other pets? Can you describe them?
  
• Do you rent or own your home? If renting, are pets allowed?
  
• Do you have children? What are their ages?
  
• How long will the pet be alone during the day?
  
• Where will the pet stay during the day? At night?
  

The goal isn’t to interrogate—it’s to ensure your pet will be safe, happy, and well cared for in their next home.

Step 4: Set Up a Safe Meet-and-Greet

After a successful phone screening, arrange a meeting. Good locations include:

• Your home
  
• The adopter’s home (bring a friend for safety)
  
• A neutral spot like a park, pet supply store, or vet office
  

Observe how the potential adopter interacts with your pet—and how your pet responds. Do they seem comfortable? Is the adopter patient, kind, and respectful?

If anything feels off, trust your instincts. It’s okay to say no. A simple, respectful way to exit is to say: “Thanks so much—we’re meeting a few other people and I’ll follow up soon.”

Step 5: Pack the Essentials

If you feel confident and the adoption happens that day, be prepared to send your pet off with:

• Food and treats
  
• Favorite toys and bedding
  
• Any medication
  
• Medical records
  
• A collar with ID tags and rabies tag
  
• Microchip registration information (if applicable)
  

Make sure the adopter understands the importance of keeping ID on your pet at all times, especially in the first few weeks.

Step 6: Offer a Trial Period

A trial period of about three weeks can give both your pet and the adopter time to adjust. Let them know that if things don’t work out, the pet should be returned to you—not rehomed again or taken to a shelter.

This offer builds trust with the adopter and ensures your pet has a safety net.

Step 7: Stay in Touch

Follow up with the adopter after:

• 48 hours
  
• One week
  
• Three weeks
  

Ask how your pet is settling in and offer tips or support if needed. You can also ask for updates and photos if they’re open to it.

Once you’re confident your pet is doing well in their new home, don’t forget to remove your adoption posts from online platforms or community boards.