Last updated: 26 Mar, 2024
Published on: 29 Oct, 2012
Help! I need to rehome my pet
There are many different situations that can lead to you needing to rehome your beloved pet.
Home2Home can help you find the best new home for your pet while they stay safe and stress-free in your home, but if we can, we’d love to help you and your pet stay together.
Below, you’ll find some great advice and resources. These have been gathered based on the most common enquiries received by the PetRescue help desk to help you make the best decision for your pet.
Keep your pet
I need short or long-term care for my pet
Are you experiencing a crisis situation and need support caring for your pet due to domestic violence, homelessness, financial difficulties, aged care support or emergency hospitalisation? Find out more about the crisis care options that may be able to help you and your pet through this difficult time.
No pet-friendly rentals/Landlord issues
Don't take rental property ads literally when they state ‘no pets’. Often landlords will consider pets if you approach them directly or find a real estate agent that will help you.
To give yourself a better chance of securing a rental, prepare a Pet CV, including a record of your pet's medical history, training certificates and references from neighbours, previous landlords and veterinarians.
Offer to sign an agreement to define appropriate behaviour for your pet on the rental premises. Encourage the owner/landlord to meet your well-behaved, well-groomed flea-free pet – meeting your furry housemate might just clinch the deal.
How to ask your landlord for a pet
How to add pets to your rental application on Realestate.com.au
I’m moving/relocating and am unsure about travelling with
my pet.
Are you moving or relocating? Don’t lose hope! With a little prep and training, it’s possible to make travel stress-free and comfortable for your pet.
I don’t have enough time for my pet
While pets do require your time and attention, there are other ways to keep them entertained and enriched.
Find someone who can spend time with them.
Walking your dog is good exercise and great for your mental health, but if you’re unable to find the time, there are some inexpensive dog walking and pet minding services that can assist. You can find someone to come and walk or spend time with your pet via services such as Pawshake or Madpaws, ask family or friends, or even ask on your local social pages or noticeboards for a pet lover with free time.
My dog or cat is bored/destructive
When a pet is bored they will find their own entertainment! Enrichment is beneficial for both dogs and cats and can be anything from puzzle toys, games to encourage smell, socialising, training and more. Setting aside a few minutes each day to make their time spent without you more interesting can make a big difference to their behaviour.
Here are a few resources to learn more about pet enrichment:
Cats
Essentials for Indoor Cat Happiness - Jackson Galaxy
Managing stress & anxiety in cats
Five easy ways to ensure you have a happy and healthy cat
Why your cat isn’t using their litterbox
Dogs
How to tell if your dog is anxious
Or, Google ‘pet enrichment ideas’ and you’ll find plenty of inspiration.
Find more pet owner support in the PetRescue library.
Take them to work
Did you know some pets adapt well to offices or shared workspaces? It could be worth asking your team or manager to bring your pet for workplace hangs! Having a pet around isn’t just a good de-stressor for everyone in the office but also boosts morale and keeps employees happy and motivated. For some inspiration, check out the story of greyhound Hildy, who was fostered as an office dog for FBi radio as part of PetRescue’s Workplace Foster Care Program.
Get them a friend
Nothing beats a “paw-tner-in-crime”! Adopting another pet can help keep your pet entertained and prevent any destructive behaviour that may come with spending long hours by themselves. Having a friend can also ease any separation issues or stress your dog may have when you’re away. Start your search on PetRescue!
My pet doesn’t get along with my other pet
It’s not uncommon for pets to not get along; however, this can be managed with training and enrichment activities.
We recommend:
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Until your pets learn to get along, keep them in separate rooms and ensure that they aren’t alone with each other.
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Look for signs of stress in any pet and try enrichment activities to make them feel more comfortable.
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Use positive reinforcement and reward them with treats for good behaviour.
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Talk to a force-free trainer who may be able to give you helpful advice - check out our trainer guide here.
Read some tips for multi-pet households here.
My pet has behaviour problems
Behaviour problems could stem from various experiences or not being exposed to specific experiences.
Just like humans, pets have their own quirks and challenges and getting the right support can help you understand change or manage their behaviour.
For an adult dog with a behaviour change, a vet check is the first thing we'd strongly recommend. Pain and sickness are often underlying causes of behavioural changes. Ask your vet for a pain relief trial, as a standard vet health check may not pick up chronic pain issues.
If no pain issues are found, it’s best to have your dog properly assessed by a qualified behavioural trainer so you know exactly what the issues are and what can be done.
Training is unregulated in Australia so it's important to get advice from a qualified expert experienced in solving the problems you and your pet are facing. A qualified behavioural trainer can make the difference between rehoming and keeping your pet. Read our guide here about how to find a force-free dog trainer and the recommended qualifications for force-free trainers.
I’m having a baby
When introduced correctly, there shouldn't be any problems with your pet and new baby. Here are some valuable resources on bringing a baby into a home with pets.
Tell Your Dog You're Pregnant - by Dr Lewis Kirkham
Financial hardship
Although PetRescue doesn’t assist directly with veterinary bills or similar expenses. The options below may be of assistance:
RSPCA - I can’t afford vet fees
VetPay offers loans to help with vet bills - they're a private company, so of course, check out the terms and conditions, but many people have used them, and most vets work with them.
GoFundMe has a great blog post that lists many organisations around the country dedicated to helping pet owners with vet bills. You could also set up a GoFundMe for yourself - people love animals and are often very happy to donate to help!
Additional organisations that may be able to help:
Cherished Pets Foundation(VIC)
Sunset Pets Benevolent Fund(QLD)
ACT Pet Crisis Support (ACT)
SafePetsSafeFamilies Vet Crisis Fund(SA)
Hope Springs Eternal Dog Rescue & Rehoming - Living Ruff SA(SA)
We have an allergy problem
Allergies can be tricky, as there is so much variation between individuals (both in humans and even between pets of low-allergenic breeds!). The allergy can be in response to fur, dander, or the proteins in pet saliva, and all of these can vary in individual dogs or cats of the same breed.
Read PetRescue’s article about ‘hypoallergenic pets’ here.
There are some wonderful products on the market that will help keep you allergy-free, so surrendering your pet doesn't need to be your only option (but it may be a last resort). It certainly shouldn’t be your GP's first recommendation.
Look for a GP who will be sensitive to your feelings and do everything possible, to help you keep your pet and stay healthy.
I’m caring for a stray cat or kittens
Sometimes the best way to help urban stray cats and kittens is to leave them in their outdoor homes. Read more:
80,000 cats are being killed in pounds every year
Thanks, but I still need to rehome my pet...
Assisted rehoming
If you can continue caring for your pet for four or more weeks, you may be eligible for our Home2Home program.
Home2Home gets your pet in front of 30,000 potential adopters each day. You will have peace of mind knowing your pet is at home with you whilst you find the right home and meet potential adopters.
See what pet owners are saying about Home2Home here.
I need to rehome my pet asap/My pet needs help I'm unable to provide
Shelters and rescues often have a waiting list of people needing to surrender their pets. This can vary from days to weeks. Make sure you ask for information on the shelter or rescues rehoming process when surrendering a pet. Some pounds do not offer rehoming programs and may kill pets on intake. So when contacting a pound or shelter, it’s essential to ask if they have a no-kill policy.
You can use our Rescue Directory to contact rescues and shelters in your area who may be able to assist. Some veterinary clinics can also be a great support in rehoming a pet.
Here are some questions to ask before surrendering your pet:
- What happens to my pet if they are not rehomed?
- Will my pet be housed in a kennel or in foster care? If your pet suffers from anxiety, it would probably be best suited to a foster care environment.
- How will my pet be cared for? Such as how often will they be fed, walked, socialised, and have human interaction?
- (If your pet has behavioural problems) What measures will you take to address the behavioural issues and find a suitable home?