Rehoming Your Pet

The decision to re-home a pet is not an easy one. County shelters are bursting at the seams with incoming animals daily, so surrendering your pet to your county shelter should only be done as a very last resort. Many county shelters must euthanize for space after 3 days, and owner surrender are first on the list because the shelter knows that no owner is coming to retrieve the pet.

First consider finding a new home for your pet through family, friends, coworkers and other means. Many resources are here to help you keep your pet:

Low-Cost & Free Spay/Neuter

Please see the list of low-cost clinics located in the Pet Help Resources section. If you have financial need, please email us to see if funding for your pet is available. www.SpotSociety.org maintains a list of some free programs in the Atlanta area, and Spot may be able to help with funding: 404.584.7768.

Affordable Vet Care

LifeLine is the least expensive in greater Atlanta and offers spay/neuter, vaccines, dental cleanings, x-rays, blood work, and surgery. www.LifeLineAnimal.org

Budget Vet in Conyers is very affordable, especially for dental work and cleanings. www.mybudgetvet.com

Jazzy Paw, Inc - spay/neuter, vaccines, dental clinic and blood work. https://jazzypawinc.org/

Care Credit is a credit card company for health care, including veterinary care. www.carecredit.com

Pet Food Assistance

Frida’s Foundation (fill out our online form)

Pet Buddies Food Pantry www.petbuddiesfoodpantry.org

Coco's Cupboard, Inc. http://www.cocoscupboardinc.org/

Red Door Food Pantry https://www.facebook.com/reddoorfood

Oconee Regional Humane Society https://www.orhspets.org/

pexels-sebastian-coman-travel-3631659.jp

Need to Move?

See these websites for pet-friendly housing:

Having a Baby?

Family changes do not necessitate giving up your pet. Some pets, children and spouses require an adjustment period. If necessary, keep the pet separated temporarily.

PETMD.com offers advice for introducing new animals into your home. The ASPCA has information on preparing your dog for a new baby. Dr. Sophia Yin offers free downloadable flyers on understanding dogs’ body language, teaching kids and adults how to approach dogs, and dealing with fearful dogs.

In the Military?

Dogs on Deployment helps people being deployed find temporary homes for their dogs. dogsondeployment.org

Allergies

See an allergist to determine if you have specific pet allergies. Just one Zyrtec or similar inexpensive OTC allergy medicine daily usually helps keep pets with their families. Children who grow up with pets are LESS likely to develop allergies to pets! Those with current allergies may outgrow them, and most others successfully manage symptoms and keep their pets. Vacuum and clean floors and furniture on a weekly basis. Consider a particulate air purifier (HEPA) in the home. Wash hands as well as human and pet bedding often.

Behavioral Issues

Behavioral issues can often be managed through proper training. Make sure that all the pets are spayed/neutered. Otherwise, they often do not get along. Over-excited dogs may need more exercise, especially if he is crated for long periods.

FrogstoDogs.com and https://www.fundamentallyfeline.com/ are excellent behaviorists, but there are many more! Fundamentally Feline’s website explains how to help cats happily coexist, and Positively.com provides amazing tips for most all pet behavior issues.

If none of the above suggestions help, please be patient in re-homing your pet. It can often take a while to find a good home where your pet will be truly safe and loved.

Ask your friends, family and co-workers, and ask them to do the same.
Use social media and online neighborhood groups to show your pet, but keep in mind there are many people in our area who seem nice and accept pets, only to do them harm.
Make sure to spay/neuter your pet prior to re-homing to make your pet more adoptable.
To learn more about re-homing pets, visit this Best Friends resource page.
SPOTsociety.org has a list of Atlanta rescue groups, usually comprised of volunteers with very limited resources, so if possible offer a large monetary donation.