What animal shelters want you to know if you must re-home your pet

First and foremost, always try to honor your commitment to your pet to provide it a loving home for all of its life. Whatever the issue, do your best to work it out.

For example, a large percentage of dogs are surrendered to shelters due to behavioral problems, which are not the dog's fault. Rather, they reflect a lack of proper training and are correctable. If this is your issue, seek out help either on your own, through books and the internet, or through a professional trainer. Affordable classes are often given at pet stores and government animal services facilities.

If you find that you absolutely must re-home your best friend, there's a lot to consider and a bit of knowledge will help you find the best choice.

If you adopted your pet from a shelter or rescue group, call them first. Many shelters require you to return an animal back to them if you no longer want it, whether it's been days or years since the adoption. Some breeders will also take back their own animals.
Start with family and friends. Widen your search with Facebook or other social media. Post a cute picture of your pet and its vital information and ask everyone to share. It's amazing how many people you can reach this way as friends of friends of friends share your plea.
Check with your veterinarian, groomer, pet store and even other types of businesses you frequent to see if you may post a flyer with your pet's picture and info. A dog park is a great place to find potential homes also. Chat with people there or post information near a gate or water fountain.
Take out an ad in a local publication with an asking price for your pet. Be careful here, and with anyone you don't know who shows interest from the above tips. Meet them at a local park or at your home and use your intuition as to whether they are worthy of adopting your pet. Be honest with them about medical or behavioral issues and ask them questions about their home, other pets, and family. Do not sell or give away your pet to someone who does not 'feel right'. Even though you may be desperate to re-home your pet, don't ever put it in danger. There are people who would use acquired dogs for abusive purposes. Be sure you have not encountered one. Ask for their veterinarian or other references.

When you've exhausted all possibilities and you need to consider a rescue or shelter:

Remember that animal shelters and rescues are always over-burdened and under-funded. When asking one to take your pet, always offer a donation.
If your dog is purebred, start by finding a breed specific rescue group. Internet searches can help you find these groups that deal with certain breeds. They usually rely heavily on fosters and have many contacts for people who love that breed.
Contact local pet stores, especially the large chain stores. Many host rescue groups in their stores that offer pets for adoption.
Find no-kill shelters. These are shelters with varying policies to euthanize only animals who are suffering or untreatable. Visit their websites and learn about their intake policies. Again, offer a donation. Taking in your dog will cost the organization a great deal. Bring any and all documentation you have on your pet, including medical records. Be honest with the shelter staff...do not fib that you 'found this dog'. Doing so keeps you from sharing his information and any issues they need to know to protect themselves, their other dogs, and potential adopters. For example, if he's food aggressive but otherwise a sweetheart, tell them. If he digs under, or climbs over, fences, tell them. Share information about how he interacts with children, cats, and other dogs. Be honest!
Government-run facilities, by law, are open-admission shelters, meaning they have to take in any and all surrenders that come through their doors and therefore are nearly always kill shelters. Do not live in fairyland, believing that dropping your pet off at one will result in him finding a loving, happily-ever-after home. The sheer numbers of animals surrendered to these shelters demands that as much as 65% of them be euthanized. Up to 5 million animals die in these each year. These are not evil places or evil people, but just an overwhelmed system doing its best to humanely put down all the excess animals in our society. (Spay and neuter!!) Ask about their euthanasia policy. This is a last resort option, as are any other shelters with a kill policy. The youngest, cutest, friendliest (and usually smaller) dogs have the best chance of adoption, but even they are not guaranteed a happy ending. Animals in kill shelters are playing a numbers game, needing to touch a passerby's heart within just a few short days so they'll be adopted before time's up.

It's not always easy to find a new home for your pet. But your animal deserves the best possible chance at a happy life in a loving home, so work hard and be proactive and creative. If you need an animal out of your home immediately, try to find someone you know who can foster it until you take the steps above. Your pet is totally dependent on you, so don't let him down.

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