Having to rehome your cat can be a very depressing experience. Making the decision to rehome a beloved pet is one of the most difficult choices a pet owner can face. Whether it’s due to a long-distance move, medical issues, financial hardship, or other life changes, the emotional weight of this decision can be overwhelming. Hopefully this article will help you navigate this challenging process with your pet’s best interests at heart.
If you find yourself in a situation where you have to rehome your cat, it doesn’t have to be an experience you’ll regret for years. Right now, you are your pet’s keeper. You just have to find another “keeper”. Its not unusual for animals to have had several “keepers” throughout their lives. It can be a happy experience that may even leave you in a position to see how the cat’s been doing since she’s moved on. We’ve compiled a few tips that will help find your pet a new home.
Understanding the Decision
Before proceeding with rehoming, carefully evaluate your situation. Sometimes, what seems like an insurmountable obstacle may have alternatives. For instance, if you’re moving, some landlords might be willing to negotiate pet policies, or you might find pet-friendly housing with additional searching. If medical issues are the concern, consider whether family members could assist with pet care or if professional pet care services could bridge the gap.
However, if you’ve determined that rehoming is necessary, remember that you’re making a responsible choice by ensuring your pet’s well-being. Acknowledging that you cannot provide the care your pet needs shows love and responsibility, not failure.
First Steps: Family and Friends
The best possible outcome is often rehoming your pet with someone you know and trust. This approach offers several advantages:
You already know the person’s character and lifestyle, making it easier to assess if they’ll be a good match for your pet. Your pet may already be familiar with them, reducing the stress of transition. You can potentially maintain contact and even visit your pet occasionally, which can help with the emotional adjustment.
When approaching family or friends about adopting your pet, be honest about your situation and your pet’s needs. Provide detailed information about your pet’s personality, habits, medical history, and any special care requirements. Don’t pressure anyone into taking your pet – the new home must be a willing and suitable match.
First and foremost, start looking right now. If you need to rehome your pet, the earlier you start the better. Someone may be more than happy to take your animal and was just waiting for you to ask. Always make sure you trust the person and you would have no problem considering them the animal’s next “keeper”. Family and friends are usually a better choice for both the animal and yourself.
Creating a Pet Profile
Second, no matter where your pet goes… she’s going to need pictures and descriptions. Make some time to take some pictures when your pet is in a pleasant situation. That could be playing, posing, sleeping, or all three. Good pictures when your pet is happy and content will be better than the depressing kennel pics that are often taken when the owner didn’t think ahead. A brief write up of your animal will help when you approach organizations that specialize in rehoming animals.
Whether rehoming through personal connections or other means, create a comprehensive profile of your pet. Include their vet records, complete medical history, including vaccinations and any existing conditions. Veterinary records are a tremendous plus when preparing your pet for rehoming. A pet with vaccination records and other documentation indicating health status will only help you in your quest to find a new home for your cat. Having your pet vaccinated and/or spayed/neutered is a good advantage in finding a new owner.
Include their daily routine, favorite activities, and exercise needs, any special needs or considerations, and behavioral traits (positive and challenging). Food preferences and any dietary restrictions should also be included along with their history with children, other pets, and various living situations. This information helps potential adopters make an informed decision and ensures your pet’s needs will be met in their new home.
Expanding Your Search
If family and friends aren’t viable options, consider broader but still personal approaches before turning to organizations. Social media can be a powerful tool for finding potential adopters within your extended network. Professional networks, community boards, and neighborhood groups can help you reach trustworthy individuals while maintaining some degree of personal connection.
When using these methods, be cautious and thorough in screening potential adopters. Request references, conduct home visits if possible, and trust your instincts about whether someone will provide a good home for your pet. Potential “keepers” will be asking questions as well. In fact, if they’re not asking questions, that in itself may be an indicator that the person may not be the ideal pick for your animal.
Keep in mind that classified websites (eg:Craigslist), may not be the ideal place to meet the right person for your pet but may be the only option. Make it clear that you will be screening potential owners and don’t be afraid to ask questions and it’s a REAL good idea to set up a “meet & greet” to gauge the animal and the new owner together. We consider classifieds a last resort. Rescue organizations would be a better option in our opinion and make sure they are a no kill rescue (or shelter) as well.
Working with Rescue Organizations
If personal rehoming efforts aren’t successful, reputable rescue organizations can be valuable partners in finding the right home for your pet. Many breed-specific rescues exist for both dogs and cats, and these organizations often have extensive networks and experience in matching pets with appropriate homes. There’s plenty rescues that aren’t breed specific and they do a great job in many circumstances.
Benefits of working with rescue organizations include professional screening of potential adopters. For starters they have support systems for both you and the new owners along with medical care and behavioral assessment capabilities. They usually have experience in managing the transition process for you and your pet.
When selecting a rescue organization you’ll want to research their reputation and practices. It should be a no-kill rescue or shelter (that is the point of rescue). Visit their facility if possible. Ask about their adoption processes and success rates. Understand their policies regarding returns if a placement doesn’t work out. Confirm their no-kill status.
Preparing Your Pet
Once you’ve found a potential new home, help prepare your pet for the transition by maintaining their regular routine as much as possible before the move. Gradually introduce them to their new family through visits if feasible. Prepare a package of familiar items (toys, bedding, food) to go with them.
Pets acclimate better when they move with their stuff. If there’s a bed they use, toys they play with, or blanket they’re fond of… all this should be included when rehoming your pet so they will ease into their new home a bit better. At times we’ve even moved their current litterbox with them to have a familiar odor that they know with them.
Provide detailed written instructions about their care and regular routine. Consider including a piece of your own worn clothing that carries your scent. Our dog Jack has been rehomed a couple times and still has his original blanket and toy cat from his first home.
The Transition Process
A successful transition requires patience and planning. If possible, arrange a gradual introduction to the new home, particularly for pets who are especially sensitive to environmental changes. Some pets may benefit from a trial period with their new family while maintaining the option to return if the match isn’t successful.
For dogs, arrange meetings on neutral territory first, and consider having the new owner participate in walks or play sessions before the final transition. For cats, provide them with a quiet, secure space in their new home where they can adjust gradually to their new environment like we did with both Belle and Paws.
After the Rehoming
The adjustment period can be difficult for both you and your pet. It’s normal to feel grief and uncertainty. Consider arranging updates about your pet’s adjustment if the new owners are willing. Giving yourself time to process the emotional impact. Finding support through pet loss support groups or counseling if needed. Social media contact can be used for updates and having an adoption contract or an agreement in place in case the rehome doesn’t work out can save you heartache and reinforce your commitment to your pet.
Remember that responsible rehoming, while difficult, is sometimes the most loving choice you can make for your pet. By taking the time to find the right new home and properly prepare for the transition, you’re giving your pet the best chance at a happy life in their new situation.
