Pet rehoming guide
Rehoming a pet of any kind is a huge responsibility and although it’s super exciting it can also be daunting, below are some things that should be considered when making the decision.
Things to consider
Cost
It’s important to consider cost when you are thinking about rehoming any animal, it’s not only the initial payment but having a pet is an ongoing expense. It’s vital you ensure you have the money to pay for food, vet bills and all the other costs that go alongside. Having pet insurance is something that can help!* Unexpected large vet bills can be an added strain on anyone, and it’s an added pressure when things may already be difficult. Insurance is a brilliant way to ensure you are equipped with a ‘safety net’ in case anything happens.
Health
Rehoming an animal that has pre-existing health issues can be a little overwhelming if you are unsure how best to manage it. The best advice is to speak directly to a vet about medication and best ways to help them feel comfortable and happy!
Behaviour and breed
Every breed has different traits so ensuring you are aware of their attributes is key. Research the breed of animal you are getting before you commit. Breed and behaviour often come hand in hand, discovering more about the behaviour of the breed can help training in the future. Dogs may have issues such as recall, separation anxiety, poor lead or travelling behaviour. They may have received different levels of training – some may not have entered training yet so it is worth bearing that in mind. Any difficulties you see can be spoken about with a professional such as a vet.
Age
Age and lifespan of the animal you are looking to rehome is important to consider, as the famous saying goes ‘a dog is for life and not just Christmas’. Some breeds can live up to 18 years maybe more, so planning on having them as part of the family forever is important. The pet may also be geriatric when you get them, so make sure to ask as many questions to the shelter as you can think of. Extra vitamins, a change of diet and less exercise may be needed, this is all worth having a chat about with your vet too as they can assist you further.
Lifestyle and commitment
A new pet may seem like the perfect addition to your family, you may plan on snuggling them on the sofa in the winter and planning amazing walks in the summer. However, ensuring you have the lifestyle where an animal can fit in is important. If you are people who go away on holiday a lot why not discover a kennel or pet sitter you trust before getting the pet. Similarly if you are going to be working 9-5 in the office a dog can not be left for more than four hours so look up some local dog walkers that can visit to pup during the day. Ultimately if your life doesn’t quite fit in with an animal right now, hold off for a little until things become more settled. A new pet is a huge commitment that you need to be there for every single day so ensuring you can have a lifestyle that can accompany that is vital.
The best tips for rehoming
- You can never do too much research!
- Ensure you are fully prepared – get a quick quote for pet insurance here
- Talk to professionals as much as possible so you feel confident
- Get excited!
Effie is a dog that was rehomed and is very happy with their new owners 🙂
* When rehoming from abroad, please check your pet insurance covers this as some don’t, including ourselves.
