Finding your pet a  new home

We know this is not an easy decision, and we are here to help.

Sometimes, things change and you may no longer be able to care for your pet. If you find yourself in this position, there are safe and responsible ways to help them find a new home.

Before rehoming, it’s important to know that shelters are very full right now. If you’re able to keep your pet but need support—like food, vet care, or help with behavior—please reach out. There may be options that can help you keep your pet at home.

If you’re thinking about rehoming because you believe your pet would be “better off” somewhere else—like in a bigger home or with a yard—know this:

if your pet is loved and cared for, they are already where they want to be. Most pets would rather stay with their family than go somewhere new.

If you do need to find your pet a new home, we’re here to help guide you through that process. If you in a position where you don’t have time, please know that it is always better to bring your pet to the shelter then to let them go or leave them in a park. We want to help you keep your pet, but respect if that’s not possible, and are open 10am-6pm every day of the week.

Before you rehome

If you’re struggling, there may be ways to keep your pet at home, especially if you have a little bit of time.

Support like food, low-cost vet care, or training may help solve the issue. There are also programs that help with temporary boarding or foster care. If you’re on the fence about surrendering your pet, make sure to check out the keeping your pet page. Keeping a pet in a home where they are already loved is a win for everyone! Check out our page with resources to help you keep your pet here.

If you live in Philadelphia, ACCT Philly is always here as a last resort if you cannot find a home for your pet. We are required to take in animals from the community, no matter the situation.

Because of this, we are often at capacity. While many animals do find homes, there is no guarantee, and the shelter can be a stressful environment for pets.

That’s why, whenever possible, it’s best to try to place your pet directly into a new home.

No matter what, our staff and volunteers will do everything they can to care for your pet and help them find a safe place to go.

If you are looking to surrender a pet, please fill out our Request For Assistance form here. A staff member will contact you to discuss your options, resources, and next steps. 

PLEASE NOTE: The shelter is FULL, and all animals are at a high risk of euthanasia, particularly dogs. We average 20 dogs entering the shelter daily and while we do all that we can, even dogs who are healthy and don’t have behavioral concerns don’t always find a home or rescue.

Connect with a rescue

Rescues are independent organizations dedicated to helping pets in need.

Some have physical locations, while others place pets in foster homes. Some focus on specific breeds, while others help many types of animals. Rescues are a great way to get help, but it is important to reach out as soon as you know need to rehome your pet, as most are volunteer based and may take a few days to get back to you. Additionally, it is important to note that rescues do not receive money from local or state governments to operate. They run on donations, so any financial contribution you can provide to help them care for your pet will be helpful.

We recommend starting by filling out CNKP’s Connect with a Rescue form, which shares your pet’s information with local rescue organizations. You can fill out the form for cats here and the form for dogs here.

If you adopted your pet from a rescue or shelter, contact them first. A responsible rescue will take their animals back or help place them. Most will offer resources as well to help you keep your pet, but if you don’t have that option, then it’s important to tell the shelter or rescue that it is an emergency.

Rehome your pet yourself

One of the best ways to find your pet a new home is to place them directly with a new family.

This means your pet does not have to enter the shelter system, and you can feel confident knowing where they are going.

Posting your pet’s photo and information on the below websites can help you reach interested adopters:

  • Adopt a Pet (read about how it works here, then fill out the form here) While this site does charge a fee, you can get 90 percent off that fee by using this code: ACCTP84602 Adopt a Pet also now works with PetSmart, so you may be able to meet your adopter at a local PetSmart and they will be given $300 in coupons, a great way to set them up for success!
  • Home to Home
  • Rescue Me

These platforms can help connect you with adopters and, in some cases, help review applications. Pets who are easiest to find placement for are small animals like guinea pigs for example, cats, or small dogs.

How to help your pet find a home

Rescues and shelters are currently caring for many animals. Many rely entirely on volunteers and foster homes, and need time to be able to help you and your pet.

The more time you can give them to help, the better chance your pet has of finding the right home.

You can greatly improve your pet’s chances by providing clear and honest information:

  • Share medical records, if you have them
  • Be honest about your pet’s personality, habits, and any challenges (Do they sleep in the bed? Do they like going for walks? Do they care if you pick up a toy they are chewing?)
  • Include photos and videos, this helps people connect with your pet
  • Let people know your pet’s likes and dislikes

If possible:

  • Ask friends, family, or your network first
  • Consider getting your pet spayed or neutered before rehoming, this will help make sure they aren’t used for breeding, and also means the adopter doesn’t have to take care of that so makes the pet more appealing!

This helps ensure your pet is placed safely and successfully.

A note about behavioral challenges

If you’re considering rehoming due to behavior issues (are they barking too much? Are they not getting alone with other pets in the home?), you’re not alone.

Some behaviors can be improved with training and support. Something that might seem entirely overwhelming could be helped with having help from a good trainer! Make sure to check out our keeping your pet page for more information on that.

In some cases, despite best efforts, a pet may not be able to be safely rehomed. These are very difficult situations, and it’s okay to ask for guidance. Right now, shelters everywhere are filled with dogs who don’t have behavioral concerns, and who are still struggling to find a home. Most people looking to adopt a pet are not looking for a project pet. If your dog is a medium or large dog and has a history of having bitten someone or can’t be around other dogs for example, the reality is that it will be challenging to find your pet a new home that is safe.

If you’re facing this, we recommend speaking with a veterinarian or qualified professional to talk through your options and what is safest for your pet and others. It can be a hard conversation, and we also suggest looking at losinglulu.com for more information. They have helpful resources to how to think through this decision. This is not an issue that is talked about a lot but know that you are not alone. You can also reach out to our help desk for assistance by contacting helpdesk@acctphilly.org