Rehome by Adopt a Pet is an online service for families (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. Create Your Pet's Profile: to attract more adopters to their profile, spend some time on your pet's story and photos. In your pet's story, always be open, honest, and forthright, and include:
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- what your pet's personality is like: focus on the good but be honest about any 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 they're scrolling through thousands of pets, so make it a good one!
As you can see 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, mention that in their story! Please note, Rehome does NOT condone the shipment of pets, so if you find the right adopter within a reasonable distance, it's road trip time!
2. When a potential adopter is interested in your pet, they'll click "Apply to Adopt" and complete the adoption application. While it may seem counterintuitive, submitting an application is the first step in Rehome’s adoption process and does not mean they're committing to adopt your pet. An application shows they're interested in speaking with you about your pet, and if that goes well, meeting your pet. You'll receive an email each time a new application is submitted for your pet.
Fun Fact: Submitting an application is the only way for potential adopters to connect with you; an application provides you with their contact information (name, phone, and email).
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 new home while using Rehome.
3. Next, review adoption application(s). Rehome does NOT REVIEW applicants for you; this is your responsibility as the pet's current owner. We're happy to provide guidance on what to look for and how to best review applicants, click here to learn more! When reviewing and responding to applicants, please reply in a timely manner (within 72 hours). You'll respond in one of two ways:
- If you would like to move forward with an applicant, do not click "Finalize Adoption", click "Contact Adopter" within their application. See below, as this can be hard to spot at first.
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If you do not feel it's a good fit for your pet, within their application, simply click "Politely Decline", and we'll send them an automatic email notification.
4. To move forward with an applicant, call them on the phone! That's right, a good 'ol fashioned phone call. :) When you click "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 to do a video call if possible, so you may see your pet's new potential home and the adopter may see your pet.
Pro Tip: If an applicant refuses to speak with you on the phone, that's a huge red flag and we recommend that you decline their application.
5. If you (and the applicant) decide to proceed after your call, you'll schedule a Meet & Greet! This is a crucial step for adoption success and should never be skipped! We strongly encourage the applicant to bring their entire family, as Meet & Greets serve several imperative purposes, they:
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- 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, it also helps ensure pets will not become territorial on their home turf.
Discuss Returns: During the Meet & Greet, discuss with the adopter what you both agree to do if the adoption doesn't work out. If you wish them to return the pet to you, discuss and agree on the timeline - within two weeks, a month, a year, forever?
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 few days to make their decision, and the same goes for you —don't feel pressured to make a decision at the Meet & Greet if you're not ready to do so! To finalize, log in to your Rehome account and click "Finalize Adoption" within the adopter's application.
Review the "Pet Owner Checklist" prior to clicking "Finalize Adoption"; taking this step will automatically generate an email to both you and the adopter with a Transfer of Ownership agreement.
7. Complete the Transfer of Ownership Form: both you and the adopter will need to complete and sign the Transfer of Ownership form. You may sign online with Adobe Acrobat OR print two copies to complete, sign, and exchange at the pet handoff.
8. Adoption fee: the adopter pays any adoption fee directly to you (the private owner). Payment should be made at the pet handoff - not before, not after.
9. Pet handoff: arrange for the handoff of your pet. Again, for everyone's safety, this should always be done in a public place (such as a pet-friendly store).
Pro Tip: Prepare a brief transition guide to give to your pet's new family when handing off your pet, and set them up for success in their new home!
10. Your pet's adoption is complete.