Rehome by Adopt a Pet is an online service for private owners that need to find another loving home for their pets. Rehome provides an alternative to animal shelter surrender by connecting you with potential adopters, so pets can go directly into new homes.
We understand that giving up your pet can be a difficult and heartbreaking decision to make; and we want to thank you for doing right by your pet by proactively and carefully finding them a loving family.
1. First Create Your Pet's Profile. To make your pet's profile attract adopters, take time with your pet's story and photos. Always be open, honest, and forthright. In the pet story, include:
-
- your pet's personality: focus on good but be honest about challenges
- if your pet has any medical, behavioral issues, and/or special needs
- what kind of home would be a good fit for your pet
- if relevant, more details on why you need to rehome your pet
Your pet's photos are super important, so much so, we've dedicated an article to pet photo tips!
Pro Tip: Use a photo editor to crop your pet's photos into a square shape. Keep in mind, the first photo you upload is their main photo, and the only photo potential adopters see as their scrolling through thousands of pets, so make that main photo especially good!
As you can see from below, your identity will not be revealed on your pet's listing, the only thing potential adopters will see is your general location (city and state).
Pro Tip: If you're willing to travel to rehome your pet to the right family, feel free to mention that in their story as well, along with how many miles you'd be willing to drive (with your pet). Rehome does NOT condone the shipment of pets, so if you find the right adopter within a reasonable distance and like road trips, get you and your pet's favorite playlist ready!
2. When a potential adopter is interested in your pet, they'll click the “Apply to Adopt” button and complete the adoption application. While it may seem counterintuitive, submitting an application is the first step in Rehome’s adoption process. An application does not mean they are committing to adopt your pet. An application shows they are interested in speaking with you about your pet, and if that goes well, meeting your pet. Their application lets Rehome provide you with the applicant's email and phone, so you can contact them.
You'll receive an email each time a new application is submitted for your pet.
Some pets will receive multiple applications, and others may not receive any. Rehome can't guarantee every pet will get adopted. For this reason, we recommend you also use other resources to find your pet a home or rescue for your pet while using Rehome.
3. Next, screen adoption applicant(s).
Rehome does NOT SCREEN applicants for you. This is your responsibility as the pet's current owner. We are happy to provide guidance on what to look for and how best to screen applicants, click here to learn more!
When reviewing and responding to applicants, we ask that you reply in a timely manner; within 72 hours when possible. You'll respond in one of two ways, depending upon if you feel the applicant would be a good fit for your pet.
- If you would like to move forward with an applicant, do not click "Finalize Adoption" at this stage. Instead, click "Contact Adopter" on their application; this will reveal their contact info. See below, as this can be hard to spot at first.
- If you do not feel it's a good fit for your pet, within their application, simply click the white "Politely Decline" button.
4. To move forward with an applicant, call them on the phone! That's right, a good 'ol fashioned phone call. :) Of course we get that an email or text may be necessary to schedule the call. When you click on "Contact Adopter" their email and phone will be displayed (see below).
On the call, we encourage you (and the applicant) to ask as many questions as you may have, and if possible, to do a video call/Facetime so you can see your pet's new potential home and the adopter can see your pet.
Not so Fun Fact: If an applicant refused to speak to you on the phone, that is a huge red flag. We recommend you decline that application.
5. If you (and the applicant) decide to proceed after your call, you'll schedule a Meet & Greet!
This gives you the opportunity to meet your pet's potential family, and gives them the opportunity to meet your pet! This is a crucial step for adoption success and should never be skipped! We strongly encourage the applicant to bring their entire family to the Meet & Greet.
Meet & Greets serve several imperative purposes, they:
-
- Allow you, as the private owner, to meet the potential adopter and observe how they interact with your pet, and how your pet interacts with them.
- Allow the potential adopter to ensure the pet listed, is indeed the one they would be adopting.
- For our canine friends, this helps potential new siblings meet and get acquainted with each other in a neutral setting.
- Prevent scammers from posing as private owners (listing fake pets).
- Last but certainly not least, they help ensure the new family is a good fit for your pet (or not), and that your pet is a good fit for the family (or not).
Pro Tip: Always schedule a Meet & Greet in a public place. For everyone’s safety, never conduct a Meet & Greet at your home or the potential adopter's home. Not only does this protect you and the potential adopter, but it also helps ensure pets will not become territorial on their home turf.
Discuss Returns: During the Meet & Greet, discuss with the owner what you both agree to do if the adoption doesn't work out. If you will return the pet to original owner, discuss and agree is that for within a week, two weeks, a month, or forever? If the owner can't take the pet back, you as the adopter will be the pet's new owner and can rehome using Rehome, surrender to a rescue or to your local animal shelter.
6. Finalizing the Adoption: During or after the Meet & Greet, if both you and the potential adopter decide it's a match, it's time to finalize the adoption! Please know, it's not uncommon for a potential adopter to take a day or two to make their decision, and the same goes for you too—don't feel pressured to make a decision at the Meet & Greet if you're not ready to do so!
To finalize the adoption, you'll log in to your Rehome account and click, the blue “Finalize Adoption" button within the adopter's application.
Check if the "Pet Owner Terms" have been met prior to clicking "Finalize Adoption".
Clicking Finalize will automatically send an email to both of you with a Transfer of Ownership form.
7. Complete the Transfer of Ownership Form: Both the adopter and private owner should to complete and sign the Transfer of Ownership form. You can sign it online, like at https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/online/sign-pdf.html or print two copies to complete, sign and exchange at the pet handoff.
8. Adoption fee: The adopter pays any adoption fee directly to the Private Owner. Payment should be made at the pet handoff - not before, not after.
9. Pet handoff: Arrange for the handoff of your new pet. Again, for everyone's safety, this should always be done in a public place (such as a pet-friendly store).
10. Your pet's adoption is complete!