Thinking of Self-Rehoming a Pet? Here Are Some Things to Consider (and why it's not always a bad idea).

Photo by Amy Mc

Beyond the Shelter: The Evolving Role of Self-Rehoming in Animal Welfare

Historically, self-rehoming has been viewed as irresponsible and even dangerous, but times are changing, and today, it’s becoming part of the solution when done responsibly. In fact, you might be surprised to learn that the first question many shelters are asking when an owner reaches out to surrender their pet is whether they can keep the pet in their care while they look for a new home. (Okay, the first thing we ask is whether there is anything we can help them with that might enable them to keep their pet, but this might be the next best option.)

As an Intake Specialist at a municipal shelter, my goal is to help owners keep their pets out of the shelter if their situation allows. The truth is, if someone needs to rehome their pet, they’re likely going through a challenging time, so more often than not, self-rehoming won’t be a viable option. This is why shelters exist and should be used as intended.

But when the circumstances align, shelters are educating owners about safe and responsible self-rehoming strategies, and it’s been a major game-changer: Every time an owner can keep their pet with them while searching for a new home, it opens a spot in a shelter for the next animal who inevitably comes in without that option.

Not only are countless lives being saved, but animals are also bypassing the stressful shelter experience by remaining in the comfort of their homes during this transition.

While the self-rehoming landscape is evolving, public perception hasn’t kept pace with the industry’s shift, and significant stigma persists, posing dangers of its own. I’m observing that, while well-intentioned, shaming people away from self-rehoming is leading to more animals entering an already overburdened system.

Until more is understood about how self-rehoming does — and doesn’t — work, I fear we are working against ourselves.

To appreciate how responsible self-rehoming can benefit animals, it can be helpful to understand how animal welfare organizations operate and some of the challenges they encounter

The solution isn’t as simple as bringing a pet to a shelter.

Shelters do not want to turn away animals. They don't want to be put in positions where they are forced to make heartbreaking decisions. But the reality is that shelters don’t have unlimited real estate, foster homes, or rescue partners. There are times when they simply cannot accommodate the number of animals that come through their doors. This isn't a failure of the sheltering system, and it isn’t the fault of pet owners. Broader systematic issues have led us here.

Many animal welfare organizations apply intake diversion to address the root of why someone is surrendering their pet and connect them to resources that may help the family remain intact. But when family preservation isn’t a viable option, and shelters are at capacity, we face a critical gap in care.

This is why the animal welfare industry is broadening the scope of where and how adoptions take place. By putting self-rehoming on the table, we introduce another option. Owners are empowered to take an active role in the rehoming process – if their circumstances allow (See final section, "When is self-rehoming contraindicated").

The hidden cost of public backlash.

It makes sense that, based on everything we’ve heard about rehoming for decades, those who care deeply about animals are concerned that rehoming independently can put an animal in the wrong hands. And they’re 100% right to be concerned - if not done responsibly, it absolutely can. There are times when this advocacy is necessary because we can’t assume owners are always acting in their pet’s best interest - if a post’s tone even hints that someone isn’t rehoming their pet safely or responsibly, we should 100% encourage them to take their pet to a shelter.

But it's not a one-size-fits-all approach.

Often, when an owner vulnerably discloses their circumstances and need to rehome a pet, the focus shifts from finding a loving home for their pet to an attack on their character for the mere act of rehoming. When we shame people, demand they bring their pet to a “no-kill” shelter, or assume they aren’t rehoming responsibly, it's counterproductive to the goal of finding the best placement for their pet.

Relying on stereotypes often leads well-intentioned owner to remove their plea for help, leaving them with no choice but to bring their pet to an already overcrowded shelter. And if they can’t find one with availability, where does that leave them? And by witnessing this, others who may have considered self-rehoming are scared off from trying. This doesn’t help people. This doesn’t help animals.

We need to dig deeper and not allow the actions of some to taint self-rehoming for the loving owners who approach it with care and commitment to their pet’s well-being. If an owner doesn’t want to leave the next placement decision to an outside agency and is able and willing to take an active role in responsibly selecting their pet’s next home, why are we taking that right away from them?

Benefits of self-rehoming

YOU can screen more thoroughly than the average shelter (yes, you read that correctly).

One of the most common concerns I hear from owners considering self-rehoming is their lack of confidence in their ability to screen applicants, and many prefer to leave it to the “professionals.”

It’s important to understand that animal rescue organizations differ in their adoption screening processes. These requirements can range from the bare minimum to what some might consider “over the top,” with a lot of variation in between.

This spectrum can look like long applications, interviews, home visits, lifestyle assessments, background checks, references, high adoption fees, and anything else they deem appropriate.

Other animal welfare organizations cultivate an “Open Adoption” or "Barrier Free" philosophy, removing barriers that can prevent people from adopting through more traditional channels. Adoptions may be “first-come, first-served,” charge low or no fees, and require only a photo ID and a clean record of animal abuse.

This diversity in approach is a reality, not a criticism. AT ALL: Promoting adoption in a non-discriminatory way is the most effective way to save lives. I highlight these differences only to break down the assumptions and bring a greater understanding of how processes vary.

We've come a long way from Craigslist: There is support to rehome safely and responsibly.

According to the organization Humane World for Animals, “…there is a growing understanding that nearly all adopters have good intentions (The Power of Supported Self-Rehoming).”

Advanced tools are available to help people safely and responsibly rehome their pets. Rehoming platforms like “Rehome” by Adopt-A-Pet and Home-to-Home have been major drivers of the movement. These websites allow pet owners to advertise their animals in searchable databases, making it more accessible for adopters to find pets in their area. Previously, such searches were limited to animals in shelters and rescue organizations — with this option, adopters can browse all adoptable animals in one place, again broadening the scope of where and how adoptions can take place. These sites also provide support for every aspect of rehoming, from writing bios and advertising to screening applicants and formally transferring ownership.

Many shelters take self-rehoming a step further by partnering with rehoming platforms and dedicating sections of their own websites to feature adoptable animals from their communities. This is mutually beneficial: Animals avoid entering the shelter, and the shelter can focus its resources on animals who need them most. Affiliated shelters can provide community members with a discount code to post their pets on these Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet, making the process highly affordable (I'm talking single-digit fees). Reach out to your local shelter to inquire.

If the process feels overwhelming, Rehome with Love is a full-service program that handles everything from creating your pet’s profile and advertising to communicating with and screening potential adopters. This is especially helpful for harder-to-place animals or for owners who do not have the time or are uncomfortable navigating the process alone.

Shelters can be stressful places! Self-rehoming keeps a pet in the comfort of their home.

Abruptly transitioning from a loving home to a shelter cage can be stressful, and an animal’s behavior in a shelter environment can differ significantly from its home disposition. This becomes even more of a concern if an animal is already anxious, fearful, short-tempered, prefers not to be around other animals, or has any other “fill-in-the-blank” personality trait.

There is no guarantee of success. You can always change course if it doesn’t work.

I won’t sugarcoat it — self-rehoming is not easy, and there is no guarantee of success. Even when you put in 100%, you may not be able to find your pet’s next home within your available timeframe. The reality is that there are more animals in need of homes than there are available homes.

Being willing to try self-rehoming doesn’t mean you are obligated to stay the course indefinitely. This can look like setting a hard date by which your pet must be rehomed due to an external deadline, such as moving, or because circumstances have changed. Some owners will simultaneously seek a backup placement at a shelter in the event they cannot find a home for their pet. If, at any point, self-rehoming is no longer working, reach out to your local shelter for guidance — remember, that is why they exist.

When is self-rehoming contraindicated?

I cannot stress enough that self-rehoming is a significant commitment, and the circumstances must be right for it to be successful. It will not always be a feasible option, and that is okay. Owners need to be aware of their limitations and not take on more than they can safely or responsibly handle. These are some things to consider when evaluating if self-rehoming is a realistic option:

Assess the quality of life for the pet and the human.

Is there something preventing you from properly caring for your pet? This might look like a lack of (or unsafe) housing, an inadequate food supply, or an animal suffering from a medical issue that needs more immediate care than you can provide. This could also look like a physical or mental health condition rendering you unable to meet your pet’s basic needs, resulting in unintentional neglect or poor quality of life.

Another factor to consider is whether a human’s health is at risk (e.g., severe allergies or a critically weakened immune system). Safety for both humans and animals must take priority.

Is there a safety concern related to a pet’s behavior that makes it unsafe to continue living together?

If a pet poses a safety risk to humans or other animals in the home, living together may be unsafe - maintaining a safe environment for all parties needs to be prioritized. While implementing management strategies at home can minimize an animal’s triggers, the consequences of management failure must be weighed.

Can your pet be safely rehomed in a different environment?

Going into the process, it is important to know that placing a pet with behavioral concerns can be uniquely challenging. It is important to first assess whether an environmental change is appropriate or if the safety risk is too significant.

There are times when it's as straightforward as the fit not being right. A pet might struggle in one home but thrive in another that better suits its needs (triggers are minimized – adult-only household, only pet, rural area, etc.). In the best-case scenario, the solution is to rehome the pet to an environment where its triggers are minimized.

Here's where it gets complicated: Although a pet might thrive in a home that’s better suited to its needs, the reality is that with so many animals looking for homes, finding that perfect match isn’t easy.

I recommend consulting with a veterinary professional or behavior professional to help you assess your individual circumstances. My go-to is Kate LaSala (Rescued By Training), a multi-credentialed certified behavior consultant, who, among other services, specializes in rehoming and behavioral euthanasia consultations.

How can we respond differently?

While it may seem to be an unpopular option, I have the utmost respect and gratitude for those who are willing to self-rehome their pet.

A quick search on Adopt-a-Pet turned up hundreds of pets in need of rehoming within my 50-mile radius. While it’s heartwarming to see so many owners taking an active role in the rehoming process, it’s also daunting to imagine how overwhelmed our shelter systems would become if these animals don’t find homes independently.

This is why we need to let this be an alternative option.

Instead of relying on assumptions, consider engaging in a conversation. Ask questions and offer suggestions. There are ways to share our concerns without demonizing.

Imagine if we put that same passion that’s often put into tearing people down into being part of the solution? The most productive thing we can do is set aside our judgments and focus on helping both humans and animals. That might look like:

• Sharing their post.

  
  

• Asking if there is anything we can do to help keep their family intact. This could look like making them aware of pet food banks in their area, helping them find affordable veterinary care, temporarily fostering their pet, offering a complimentary training session if that’s your area of expertise -  literally anything.

  
  

• Passing on information. I find that most adopters aren’t aware that self-rehoming platforms exist. So, while we have a partial solution, we are missing an important piece necessary for its success: Connecting owners to adopters.  

  
  

If you know someone looking to adopt, consider sharing the blog post below to make them aware of owner-to-owner adoption.

Not Finding Your Match At A Shelter or Rescue? Try searching private owner listings - these pets need homes too.

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As always, my writing is based on my own opinions and experiences, is not representative of any agency or organization, and should not be taken as fact or considered professional advice

- Elizabeth Weiner

Related work:

Rehoming Pets: Beware of the Comments. I Worry We Are Shaming People Away From Seeking Help.

Not Finding Your Match At A Shelter or Rescue? Try searching private owner listings - these pets need homes too.

Considering rehoming? Please visit the Resource page.

Visit Pet Therapy Notes, for resources and more insights on pet love & loss