Not Finding Your Match At A Shelter or Rescue? Consider Private Owner Listings—These Pets Need Homes Too.
- Liz Weiner
- Feb 10
- 5 min read
Historically, self-rehoming has been viewed as irresponsible and even dangerous, but times are changing, and today, it’s part of the solution when done responsibly. Let me be very clear, though: Self-rehoming will not be appropriate in every situation, but when the circumstances align, shelters are educating owners about safe and responsible self-rehoming strategies, and it’s been a major game-changer.
How did we get here? Animal welfare organizations cannot accommodate the sheer number of animals in need of placement. This has left critical gaps in care, and animals are often turned away due to a lack of available space. By broadening the scope of where and how adoptions take place, not only are countless lives saved, but animals remain in the comfort of their homes during this transition. And, every time an owner can keep their pet at home, it opens up space for the next animal who will inevitably come in without that option. This benefits ALL animals.
We've come a long way from Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. Today, there are formal platforms that promote responsible and safe rehoming practices. But, while we have made incredible progress by developing these platforms, I find that most adopters don’t know they exist— and this leads to many missed opportunities.
To be clear, I'm not suggesting you don’t adopt a pet from a shelter or rescue. It’s not a competition, it’s another option. We are all working toward a common goal. The reality is that a search of dogs available by owner in my 50-mile radius alone yielded 306 results - if these pets aren't independently rehomed, it’s daunting to imagine how it would overwhelm our already stretched shelter systems.
Getting the word out about where to find these adoptables is just as important to the success of these efforts, so this is me, starting somewhere. Please consider sharing this blog to help raise awareness of owner-to-owner adoption!
Benefits of owner-to-owner adoption
You can narrow your search.
Owner-to-owner adoption can be especially helpful if you are looking for a specific breed, age, or size. While all varieties of animals come through the shelter, it’s all about timing, and often that boils down to luck. Small dogs, for example, are in high demand but are often adopted as quickly as they arrive. I liken it to how I browse Goodwill a few times a month: I can never predict what their inventory will be at any given time or who might find it before me. But if I were to use Facebook Marketplace, I could narrow my search - that’s how self-rehoming platforms work.
Presumably, owners know their pet best, so they can provide the most detailed information about their pet’s likes, dislikes, must-haves, and deal-breakers. This is especially helpful for pets with any restrictions that would prevent them from thriving in a particular environment (e.g., no children, must be the only pet, needs an experienced owner, etc.).
Where to find pets being rehomed by owner.
Supported rehoming platforms like “Rehome” by Adopt-a-Pet, Home-to-Home and Joyful Pets have been major drivers of the self-rehoming movement. These sites allow owners to advertise their pets in a searchable database that potential adopters use to find adoptable animals in their area. They promote safe and responsible rehoming practices for both the owner and adopter by providing support across all aspects of the adoption process, from screening candidates to transferring ownership.
Overwhelmed? Don't be. Here's a quick breakdown of how to use the platforms.
The three platforms listed below operate independently, meaning each site features its own unique listings—unless an owner chooses to post on multiple platforms. These are my tips to the sites.
Finds homes for: Dogs, Cats, Rabbits, Small Animals, Reptiles, Amphibians, Fish, Horses, and Farm Animals
Because Adopt-a-Pet features animals cared for in shelters, rescues, and private homes, follow these instructions to sort by Private Owner.
Enter your location and choose a species (do not select “add pet criteria”; you will do that in another place). Search.
All (species — we will call this search "Dogs") within “x” miles of your location will appear — this includes dogs residing in shelters, private rescues, and being rehomed by their owners. A search of a 50 mile radius of “Parkville, MD” resulted in 3,261 available dogs.
Now, filter the results by “Private Owner.” On a desktop, to the left of the page, you will find filter options. Under “Cared for by,” choose “Private Owner.”
This filter narrowed the pool to 306 privately rehomed dogs across all breeds and sizes. You can apply additional filters from there to filter by breed, size, age, etc.
The adoption fee for animals being self-rehomed through Adopt-a-Pet varies and is set by the owner. The average cost I have seen is $50. Adopt-a- Pet provides a Transfer of Ownership agreement to be completed prior to adoption and discounts for pet services. More about the process here.
If you are not finding what you're looking for, they offer a premium "New Pet Alert" subscription for $10/month. You will be alerted by email when new pet matches are added and premium subscribers are notified 24 hours before free subscribers.
Finds homes for: Dogs, Cats, Rabbits, Birds, Rodents, Fish, Snakes, and Farm Animals.
Home to Home is exclusively for use by private owners, so your search does not need to be filtered by where an animal is being housed. You can also search for pets in need of temporary fosters (love this). Within the same 50-mile radius, Home to Home featured 60 dogs available for self-rehoming. At the time of this writing, the standard adoption fee is $25. This includes a New Home Package with discounts and offers on veterinary and behavioral services, as well as an adoption contract.
Finds homes for: Dogs, Cats, Rabbits, Small Animals, Reptiles, Birds
Joyful Pets takes a more active role in connecting pet parents and interested adopters. They pride themselves on their attention to find the most compatible pet and human pairings. If you don't find that you are looking for at the time of the search, at no cost, you can submit a "Pet Match Request," describing your ideal companion and they will reach out if a pet matching that criteria becomes available. Joyful Pets yielded 6 dogs within the same 50-mile radius. However, many of these pet parents are willing to travel for the right match so don't let this deter you. Again, the focus is on best match. The adoption fee is $175 for a dog, and $125 for a cat. This includes post-adoption support, an adoption contract, a PawFax report.
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Please note: My writing reflects my own opinions and experiences, is not representative of any agency or organization, and should not be taken as fact or as professional advice. It is intended for informational purposes only, and a listing does not imply endorsement of any clinic or program.
Want to learn more about self-rehoming? See the related blog post...
For more insights on pet love and loss, please visit Pet Therapy Notes.
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