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You’ve made the decision to re-home your pet and
now you need to start the process. First of all,
give yourself plenty of time. This is YOUR pet
and YOUR responsibility. Few reputable
organizations can respond to you immediately.
Contact your local humane shelters and animal
control agencies. In our area the shelters work
closely with rescue organizations and maintain a
list of rescue partners.
Contact your own veterinarian (and others) to
see if they work with or support a specific
organization and can refer you to them.
Contact Pet Supplies Plus, Petsmart, Petco, and
other organizations that allow their stores to
operate as venues for pet adoption. They will
have a list of organizations that adopt animals
through their stores.
There is a network of animal welfare advocates
in every city. It is usually alive and well and
it is just a matter of finding it.
After having identified the list of
organizations you are going to consider you can
start the process of evaluation. Not every
organization is a reputable one nor does every
organization have your pet’s best interest at
heart. It is up to you to be the investigator
and advocate for your pet. You are his only line
of defense.
Make a list of the bullet points you want to ask
or tell about. Be honest. Don’t make excuses-
it’s the quickest way to turn off the person
taking your call.
Offer a donation. It WILL help. Most
organizations operate on a shoe string and
funding for any new animal often times hinges on
funds to care for it. If they organization is a
non profit, you may be able to consider it tax
deductible (consult your tax advisor). Another
option is to make a donation to their
veterinarian of choice in your pets name for
continued care.
If the organization accepts your pet, ask to
visit the facility or foster home. If the person
speaking to you all of a sudden becomes
resistant or will not consider this, run, do not
walk, away. Any reputable organization will
allow you to see for yourself the environment
the pet will live in. Ask to see other animals
in their care. If they will not do this, you can
pretty much be assured something is amiss.
Ask plenty of questions such as what
veterinarian they use, about their adoption
policies---do they allow declawing, outdoor
homes, do they spay and neuter all animals prior
to adoption, do they do home visits, etc. Ask to
see their adoption application and contract.
Never meet someone at a public place to transfer
your pet to them. Always deliver your pet to the
shelter, facility or foster home and inspect the
facility and the animals being cared for there.
Finally, verify they are truly No Kill. If your
pet becomes sick or ill or stops eating, what is
their policy and ability to provide veterinary
care?
If you find an alternative to a rescue
organization or a no kill shelter, such as a
friend, friend of a friend, or a responder from
an ad listing, screen thoroughly. Many of the
considerations above will apply to individuals.
Check their veterinary references.
Never advertise or give away “free to good
home”. These ads are quick to attract animal
predators. Many of these animals end up in
research facilities, used as live bait or other
adverse circumstances. The people that respond
to these ads are often seemingly kind and
compassionate. THIS IS THEIR JOB- they are con
men and women- sometimes even bringing children
along. These people make their living of the
lives and suffering of animals.
ALWAYS ask for an adoption fee. This is the
single biggest weapon against predators they
don’t want to pay for the animals as it cuts
down on their profit margin.
There are many reputable organizations and
individuals. There are also some that are not
reputable or are in over their capability to
care for the animals. Research each organization
or each person fully before you make a final
decision for your pet. You may be their last
voice if you don’t.
Ask. Question. Confirm. Then Do What’s Right.
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