Rehoming & Help

Rehoming Your Pet

We understand that giving up a pet is a heart-wrenching decision. We know you want what is best for your pet and we want that too. To save more animals’ lives and keep pets out of shelters, we encourage you to try to rehome your pet yourself before surrendering to a shelter or a rescue. Use the guidance provided below to help you through this process. You know your pet better than anyone else and are best suited for finding your pet a home that fits all of his/her needs. And shelters and rescues, despite all their efforts, are still stressful places for animals, which can lead to anxiety, aggression, and illness.

Surrender should be the last resort AFTER you have exhausted all other resources. You are your pet’s best option for finding him or her a new home!

Get Your Pet Prepared for Rehoming:

• Take photos and videos that show your pet’s personality
• Write a short biography about your pet. What makes him/her special? What does he/she like to do? Is he/she house/litter box trained? Does he/she like kids, other animals? Does he/she have any medical conditions?
  • Two Formulas for Writing a Successful Dog Bio
  • Dog Descriptors
• Create flyers and social media posts with photos and videos of your pet along with a biography. 
• Share with friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors, and ask them to share with their friends and family.
• Hang flyers at local organizations – such as bulletin boards at your work, the gym, veterinarian offices, dog daycares, boarding facilities, groomers, and pet stores. 
• Check out your local county animal services site for rehoming resources for county residents – not to place your pet with them but to get help rehoming or other resources.

Note: if your pet was adopted from Paws4ever and you are considering returning them, please contact our Adoption Center at (919) 241-8438 or adopt@paws4ever.org.

If you are looking to rehome your pet due to finances or behavior issues, you are not alone. Many of these struggles can be overcome with support. Check out the following resources to help you keep your pet.