Rehoming & Help

Paws4ever’s Adoption Center rescues pets from local county shelters, rather than taking surrenders directly from the public. However, we are here to support all pet owners with resources and support. If you are in need of pet care and behavior help, or are considering rehoming your pet, this page has resources that can help.

If your pet was adopted from Paws4ever and you are considering returning your pet, please contact our Adoption Center directly at (919)-241-8438 ext. 103 or adopt@paws4ever.org

Re-Homing 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, despite all their efforts, are still stressful places for animals, which can lead to anxiety, aggression, and illness. You are your pet’s best option for finding him or her a new home!

Paws4ever has a page of Community Pets Available For Adoption on our website to promote pet who are being rehomed directly by their owners. When you have reviewed the following resources, use our Rehome by Adopt-A-Pet link to set up a profile for your pet that will appear both on our webpage and on the Adopt-A-Pet website. 

Platforms and guidance to safely and successfully rehome your pet on your own

Get Your Pet Prepared for Rehoming:

  • For your pets safety, we strongly suggest that you spay or neuter your pet prior to rehoming. To do this, Google “low cost spay and neuter near me”. 
  • 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?

ASPCA recommendations for how to write a bio

Rehoming Best Practices:

  • 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 veterinarians, dog daycares and 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 behavior issues, moving, or finances, you are not alone. Many of these struggles can be overcome with support. Check out the following resources to help you keep your pet.

Pet Behavior Help

Paws4ever Training

Contact our Trainers for Advice

We know how frustrating it can be to handle pet behavioral issues on top of dealing with the business of everyday life.  Are you in need of behavioral guidance from our certified trainers? There are many issues that can be resolved with just a few easy tips! Reach out to our training team for behavior resources at train@paws4ever.org or at 919-241-8438 Ext. 102.

Dog Training Classes and Private Lessons

For more support from the Paws4ever Dog Training Program, we offer private training lessons and group training classes to help you and your pet through behavior issues and to help you reach your training goals. We have options for a variety of dog ages and training levels. If you have a new puppy, be sure to check out our puppy day camp and puppy classes! Our professional dog training instructors use only science-based positive reinforcement methods to help you and your dog achieve your goals. 

Dog Training Scholarships

The regular price of our dog training classes are $135-$150 per 5-week group class or $100 per 1-hour private lesson. If you are in need of training for your dog and are unable to afford our regular rates, you may request a Dog Training Scholarship. A scholarship can provide up to a 5-week group class and 2-3 private lessons.

 

Common Pet Behavior Issues

if your dog barks at the mail carrier or pull son the leash, you’re not alone! Many behavior issues are so common that we made videos to walk you through how to handle them. Check out these resources! 

Provide Mental Stimulation

Many pet behavior issues arise when pets are bored or in need of mental stimulation. Just like people, pets can become bored or anxious when they aren’t mentally stimulated in their environment. Enrichment activities help to promote healthy minds and bodies! In addition to making sure your pet gets playtime and walks as appropriate,  providing your pet with enrichment treats and brain games can give their mental health a boost and prevent boredom behaviors. 

Enrichment Treats and Mealtime Fun

Try feeling some meals in a Kong Wobbler or a slow feeder, or try one of these DIY enrichment treat ideas at home!

For an easy treat puzzle to make at home, reuse carboard boxes, tubes, paper bags, and packing materials to hide treats in for your pet to find. Frozen treats, like peanut butter smeared on a Nylabone and frozen for dogs or some wet food and low-sodium broth ice cubes for cats. 

Enrichment Ideas for Dogs   
Enrichment Ideas for Cats
Enrichment Treats Cookbook

Training Games

A great way to keep your pet’s mind active is by playing training games! Try these simple games to teach your dog or cat a new training trick (yes, you can train cats too)!

Remember to consistently reward ANY calm and/or desirable behavior with a high value treat – this will help them to know what choices they have!

What are my local county shelters?

Burlington Animal Services
215 Stone Quarry Road Haw River, NC 27258 P: (336) 578-1386

Animal Protection Society of Caswell County
836 County Home Road Yanceyville, NC 27379 P: (336) 694-4921

Chatham County Animal Shelter
725 Renaissance Drive Pittsboro, NC 27312 P: (919) 542-7203

Animal Protection Society of Durham
2117 East Club Boulevard Durham, NC 27704 P: (919) 560-0640

Guilford County Animal Shelter
4525 West Wendover Avenue Greensboro, NC 27409 P: (336) 297-5020

Orange County Animal Service
1601 Eubanks Road Chapel Hill, NC P: (919) 942-PETS (7387)

Wake County Animal Center
820 Beacon Lake Drive Raleigh, NC 27610 P: (919) 212-PETS (7387)

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