Pet Rehoming

Our friends at Home To Home shared this framework that follows the pet rehoming experience from a pet owner's perspective, and highlights what organizations should have in place at each stage.

This PDF has even more Home To Home materials about creating, running, and marketing a supported self-rehoming program.

Follow these steps to get started with implementing a supported self-rehoming program: 

Set Up Your Supported Self-Rehoming Program

Review Home To Home and Rehome materials, and assess what supported self-rehoming program gaps exist at your organization and in your community. Develop programming and tools to fill those gaps, and add information about supported self-rehoming to your website. These examples of supported self-rehoming information packets can serve as models: Arlington Animal Services rehoming packet; Owasso Animal Shelter rehoming packet; and Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter’s rehoming web page.

To ensure success, make sure to bring your staff and volunteers along. Ensure they know what support is being provided, why this support is important, and what their roles are.  

Let People Know About It

Spread the word about your supported self-rehoming program on your website, social media, e-news, in your building, through your local media. Let your community partners know, too, so they can refer pet owners to you.

Check out these free social media graphics from HeARTs Speak to help you get started.

Build Trust Through Communication

Self-rehoming programs work best when pet owners feel supported, not dismissed. Clear, compassionate communication about why and how to use these platforms helps the community see your shelter as a partner rather than a gatekeeper.  

Tell Me What’s Going On’: Building Trust in 30 Seconds is a blog about building trust and improving outcomes by opening tough conversations with curious, non-judgmental questions. 

Consider Equity and Access

Not every pet owner has the same resources or digital access needed to engage with an online rehoming platform. Be ready to offer help (at the front desk, over the phone, or by providing printed materials) for people who need it. 

Track Outcomes

Create a way to track your team’s rehoming referrals and follow up on how it’s going with your community. This will help you identify gaps in your resources, shape program development, and make the case for funding and partnerships.

Making the Case: Budget Advocacy for Animal Shelter Leaders is a playbook to help shelter leaders successfully advocate for lifesaving programming, like supported self-rehoming. 

Keep the Safety Net Intact

Self-rehoming is a powerful lifesaving tool, but it should complement, not replace, your shelter's role as a safety net. Animals truly in crisis should always have access to sheltering services when they need them.

Put information on your website about pet pantries, low-cost veterinary providers, emergency foster programs, and other resources and programs that help keep pets in homes.