Sometimes it becomes necessary to place a pet in a new home. Given our world and the disposable attitude many people have towards pets, this can be not only a trying time, but also a very dangerous time for your pet.  People are not always what they seem, and if there is a way to profit in any avenue, you can bet that the human mind will think of it.  Offering your family pet to the general public will require a game plan to insure that pet's future safety, and keep them out of the hands of any person that may exploit them or harm them.  Here are some rules to follow.

Update Your Pet On Any Needed Medical
It is difficult to expect any home to do more for your pet than what you have provided in the past.  Set a good example and be willing to provide medical records showing what your pet has received in the line of vaccinations and diagnostic procedures.  Be sure and explain any routine medications given such as heartworm preventative or daily vitamins.  To send you pet to a new home without current medical records will not only put your pet in danger from diseases, but will send a message to the new owner that these things are not very important.

Spay or Neuter Your Pet
Intact animals, male and female both, will certainly express hormonally influenced behavior that most owners find unfavorable.  These may well result in the new family deciding not to keep the pet, and they will be hesitant to invest in the surgery for fear that the problems will not be resolved.  In the case of purebreds, consider this: If a person merely wants your pet for it's ability to reproduce, what will keep them from discarding your pet after the first litter is born?  Insure that a new owner is interested in your pet as a family member and not to supplement their income, or resell that animal to a breeding mill.

Select Your Advertising
There are many options available out there.  Let people know right from the start that your pet's placement is to an "approved" home.  This is where most people falter, and find it difficult to tell people no.  A good way to take the heat off of yourself is to let people know when they first call that you are not pressed to get the animal out of your home, and that you may end up keeping the pet with a family member.  This way you have an easy out if you feel the home is not what you want your pet to go to.  Bulletin boards at places frequented by pet owners; vet clinics, pet supply stores and the like are all good places to start.  Newspapers and want ads can get the word out, but be certain to stick to your screening standards to avoid being misled.  Many pets have been placed in bad homes simply because the owner was in a hurry and became desperate to place the animal.

Screen Potential Homes
First and foremost, be in the right frame of mind to talk with a potential adopter.  Most likely the phone will be your first contact.  It might be helpful to tell a caller that the person offering the pet is not available, and take a name and number.  This allows you to wait until a quiet time to call the person back.  It also gives you a fairly easy way to screen out anybody that may intentionally wish to harm your pet.  Chances are, these people will not leave any info, or will give you false information.  Look to the screening application to help with questions to ask, conversation with which to engage the potential adopter, and things to check up on.

Have the New Family Meet Your Pet
This can be done before, during, or after your home visit.  Try and find a time when you can meet all family members including children, spouse, and other pets if possible.  It is important to determine that the entire family is interested in adding this pet to the household.  If husband or wife is doing this as a surprise to the other, there may well be disappointment when the other member meets the pet.  If they are getting a pet for the kids, be sure they understand that the ultimate responsibility for care is with the adults in the family.  Far too many pets are discarded because the kids grew tired of them.  Find out what they expect from this pet and be honest if the expectations are not realistic for your pet.

Visit the New Home
Take the time to drive over and visit the home where your pet will be staying.  A lot can be determined about a family by visiting the home.  You will see first hand how other pets in the house are treated, if the fence is adequate for keeping your pet safe, and if there are any indications that your pet may be mistreated or neglected.  You will also have the opportunity to verify that the address is correct.  I would also recommend a call to the register of deeds in your county to verify ownership of the property and contact the landlord if this is a rental property.  You would not want your pet to end up homeless again because they were not allowed there to begin with.
 

The Fee For Adoption
Many owners have a problem with charging a fee for their pet, and many people will want to view you as trying to profit from re-homing a family member.  Even others will try and make you feel guilty for denying the pet a home merely on the basis of price... Stick to your guns.  If you have done the things in the first two sections, you have invested a substantial amount in your pet to insure their health and happiness.  If a potential owner cannot see the value of this, they are probably not going to continue your pet's veterinary care, and will be even less reliable if a medical emergency arises.  Any pet owner knows that the amount of money spent over the lifetime of that animal will far outweigh any expense to obtain it.  The minimum amount to ask for is $20.00 to $40.00.  This will get your pet above most laboratory prices and will hopefully keep the 'bunchers' from your door.  The fee also gives you the option of giving it back if the new home doesn't work out, therefore putting the pet back in your hands, rather than leaving them to an unknown fate if the new family decides to give them up.

Make a Written Agreement
In our day and age, it is important to not rely on verbal agreements.  Put in writing what you expect from your new home, and what they can expect from you.  A copy of a simple re-homing agreement is provided for you to work with.

Check Back
Call back periodically to see how the new owner is getting along.  Let them know you are very interested in the welfare of your pet, and make yourself available to explain any quirks or behavior issues they may have questions on.  Not checking on the pet will make the new owner feel you don't care what happens to the animal, and if things are not working out, they will take care of the matter as they see fit.  Pets that get handed off many times over increase the likelihood that they will find a bad home.  And with each re-homing, important information is lost forever.  Better that this animal is back with you, than being placed by people who undoubtedly know less about the pet.

Honesty is always the best policy when placing a pet.  If you have had problems with the pet, let the people know.  If they choose to walk away, admire them for their honesty in not taking an animal they felt they couldn’t deal with.  If problems are known, the new family can prevent them and train for success, instead of discovering these issues and being unprepared.

Placing your pet in a new home can be a very trying and exhausting experience.  Keep in mind that your pet has no say in the home you select and is counting on you to provide for their safety and well being.  If you feel the task is too overwhelming, it may be best to seek other options that will provide the pet with a ‘safety net’ in the future.  Even in a shelter where euthanasia may be the choice is preferable to an abusive, neglectful home.  It only takes a few glimpses in the news to see that there are fates worse than a painless death.  Please take re-homing your pet serious enough to do it right.  Anything less is a true disservice to your pet and the loyalty he has offered you.