Rehoming your dog privately, some do's and don'ts.

littlelab · Last edited by littlelab on Sun Jan 04, 2009 6:13 pm; edited 1 time in total

There is no getting away from the fact that many people still prefer to rehome their pets privately, and therefore I thought it would be a good idea that I jot down some pointers, as sadly Rescue end up picking up the pieces in the end and the dog becomes traumatised from bouncing from home to home, this can be avoided by some simple steps.

1. NEVER advertise FREE TO A GOOD HOME

a. People who generally get something for nothing treat it as a disposable item, it has no value to them.

b. Puppy famers and backyard breeders home in on these adverts and rub their hands with glee, they are generally less inclined to go for a dog that will cost them money.

c. There are people who are taking on Free to Good home dogs and selling them on for a profit.

Instead ask for a small donation to a charity of your choice, if people cannot afford a small donation then how can they afford to look after YOUR dog properly.

2. ALWAYS spey or neuter before rehoming.

a. Again puppy farmers. back yard breeders and people who want to make a fast buck are always on the lookout for unneutered dogs, creating a problem in the future and a bleak outlook for your pet.

3. ALWAYS Homecheck the prospect home.

Even if its a friend of a friend!

You can ask for a homecheck to be done via here if you wish, or go visit the home yourself.

I have witnessed first hand what can happen if you don't.

How do you know they are who they say they are? Do they havea suitable home? Are they a puppy farmer.

A genuine home will not mind you homechecking them.

4. Be prepared to take your dog back if it doesn't work out

Many times the dogs can end up in the pound or being passed from one home to another, many times ending up in rescue which you tried to avoid in the first place.

5. Write out a complete history on your dog, its likes and dislikes

Withhold nothing, this is so vital to both the welfare of the dog and so the new owners know what they are taking on, its no good hiding anything as it will come out in the end and the dog may well end up being moved on.

Of course the easiest course is to ask a reputable rescue to take your dog on to rehome, they will do all of the above and you can rest assured your dog is going to end up in a caring, loving new home, with back up for life should it go wrong.

mrsm · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 2:37 pm Post subject:

Great post Nat .....................would be good as a sticky so people lurking can read Wink

Chocice · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 2:41 pm Post subject:

Very sensible advice there. I know of just such a dog that is 18 months and already has had 3 homes. First owners considered him too much of a handful, and passed him on to someone who was 'trying him out to see if the kids got on with him' and finally he is in his third (and hopefully forever) home. Needless to say the chap has some issues.

Jemima · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 2:42 pm Post subject:

Great post indeed. Yeah definitely worth making this a sticky! Unfortunately, with Xmas behind us now, i'm sure there'll be a few 'unwanted pups' going to new, private homes Sad

odiesmum · Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 1:10 pm Post subject:

I advertised for a "Lab Wanted" as I was looking for a companion bitch for Odie (I had tried local rescue centres but was told that most were not good with children and as I have four small ones I was wary of taking any chances,and in the event ended up with my boy Jasper who isnt at all bitch-like!) I recieved so many calls from people desperate to home young dogs mostly and NOT ONE of them were interested in comming to see our home to see if we were suitable or even who we said we were!
It was sad to be still having calls weeks after my ad had stopped running as I had no idea that there were so many labs looking for homes but what shocked me most was that so many of the owners said they didnt want their dogs to end up in rescue centres and yet I couldnt find one that was willing to come and check my home!

Wildwater · Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 1:45 pm Post subject: Labs

One particular free ad, we have had several dogs that we have had to rehome due to them bouncing, all people are interested in is the money, they don't care where the dogs go. I saw one before Christmas, wanted to sell the dog to buy christmas presents for her family.

alfmar · Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 8:22 pm Post subject: Re: Labs

Sazzle · Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 2:57 pm Post subject:

Wanted some advice but I'll do a new post instead.

_Linda_ · Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 3:24 pm Post subject: Re: Labs

littlelab · Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 10:55 am Post subject:

Going through the preloved freads there seem to be fewer free to good homes, but more older Labs being sold for silly money, it does worry me Rolling Eyes