Finding A New Home For Your Pet

Finding a New Home for Your Pet, takes some thought and consideration prior to beginning your search. Trust me when I say that there are millions of animals out there “waiting for a new home” – otherwords, competition is tough, there’s so many cute, cuddly, pleasant animals, who’s pet owners are trying to make the sales pitch that says “take me home”

**Please remember that just because someone “wants” your pet, doesn’t mean that they’ll look after your pet. Sometimes when one has an urgency to find their pet a new home, the animal is placed in surroundings that do not meet it’s requirements, so please take this into consideration. And lest we forget that Labratory Animals come from “somewhere” – friendly smiling “couples” can sometimes be those who work in white jackets, so protect your pet, even if the pet is leaving your care.

Depending on why you must find a new home for your pet, can sometimes hinder your thoughts, so I’ve laid out some suggestions to make things a little less compicated to deal with.

Begin by asking Friends and Family

First and foremost, begin with people you know and or people who know your pet. On occasion, there may be someone within your social group, who has thought to themselves, “if ever they can’t keep their pet anymore, I’d love to bring the pet home with me” – it’s worth a try.

Co-Workers, Neighbors (in a complex, apartment building, condos or residential, even the Grocery Store Attendant you speak to.

No harm in asking, just cuz you have a pet doesn’t mean that whoever you do speak to, isn’t looking. Folks normally don’t ask out of the blue “hey, you want to give me your pet? – So ask around.

Posters, Posters, Posters!

Go Crazy with POSTERS! ‘Nd be sure to leave small cut tags along the bottom, with your number, that folks can rip off and take home!

Definately Posters! Print up or make posters, preferably with a picture (a color picture), pictures speak a thousand words in any language. If you can’t put a picture, then describe the pet’s habits, character, likes and dislikes.

IE: likes children, dislikes children but likes adults better, dislikes other animals, loves to cuddle and will purr you to sleep, snores, sits pretty for treats, likes to be your pillow – knows several tricks like….. etc – all the pluses you can think of that will be attention getters to those who read!

If your animal is spayed or neutered, that’s a PLUS, so add that information if it is accurate, the more you put, the more someone might pay attention.

Ask if you can place your posters in places like:

• Convenience Stores
• Grocery Stores
• Community Hall
• Bingo Hall
• Health Spas
• School Newsletters
• Your Vet’s Office
• Pet Supply Store
• Pet Grooming Facility
• Shopping Mall Entrances.
• At Work or the local Diner
• Post Office Bulletin Board even Light Posts

Place Posters everywhere and anywhere – where the public will see.

Ask the local Vet if they know af anyone looking for a new (cat or dog) pet.

Quite frequently, pet owners discuss the option of taking on yet another pet and inquire how it may effect their first pet. If this is the case, then maybe the Vet will take your number and discuss the option with their client(s).

If possible, place an ad in your local or community paper

Frequently there is a Free Give-Away Section that costs nothing to post – inquire to see if this is applicable to you.

When potential inquiries come in, meet the person or people by having them over and judge for yourself if your pet seems to be attracted to the individual(s). I suggest that you do not let anyone leave with your pet, as a matter of fact, I suggest to make them wait by telling them that you have a few more people to see before deciding, even if you don’t.

Take their phone number and say that you’ll be giving them a call one way or another shortly and that you’ve appreciated their time. Don’t be intimidated and certainly don’t be shy in making them wait.

If you get grief and are told things like “I came all the way here and thought I was leaving with the pet” or “well if I don’t take the pet now, I won’t be taking it” or even guilt trips like “Oh, my son/daughter will be so disappointed, I told them I was coming home with a surprise” then be cautious of these statements. Believe the latter the most, but stick to your guns. Individuals who truly want your pet, will compromise and wait to hear from you, even if they are disappointed.

When deciding “who” gets your pet, call the person or people and tell them that you have an errand to run and you’ll be in their vacinity (the first three digits of a phone number usually give away location)- ask if you could stop by and that you’d like to discuss some of the animal’s needs (health care issues, habits, space requirements), what ever you feel you can actually discuss to help you finally decide.

By visiting with potential new pet owners, you get an idea of how your pet will be living.

If the home is modest in material goods yet clean and spotless, you know that the home has possibilities for accomodating your pet and that the odds are, your pet won’t be neglected.

IF a home is in abundance with material goods but you can’t find a place to sit, well, odds are your pet will be neglected as well.

If the potential new pet owners welcome you, then you use your best instincts, to make your choice.

Folks who are reluctant and maybe even get sassy with you, help you make the choice against permitting your pet to take up residency with them.

Again, individuals who truly want your pet, will not mind waiting 48 hours or so and even though they may be a little uncomfortable about you visiting, they will comply and understand that you are acting responsibly in your decision.

This concludes most areas of topic, on how to find a new home for your pet.

I certainly hope that one of these methods is successful and that those who must relocate their animals, find a way that makes them feel the right thing has been done.

And as a realist, consider the possibility that if you cannot find a new home for your pet, that perhaps it’s because your pet is already – at home. (’nd shouldn’t be going anywhere)

I’m a firm believer that things happen for a reason and by not finding a new home, doesn’t have to mean that your pet should be surrendered to a pound or shelter to be euthanized.

When it boils down to the possibility that maybe you should really keep your pet companion, “where there’s a Will, there is most certainly a way” -

If you have an idea or have tried a certain method that worked for you in assisting to relocate your pet, then by all means, please leave a comment! You just may help someone who is feeling out of sorts because they too must find a new home for their beloved pet.

Read Part One of this series, “What Happens to Pets Folks Can’t Keep?” where you’ll find a run down on organizations like the S.P.C.A., the Humane Society or Shelters that offer definate final solutions.

till next time…

when we come back with part three of the series “Are Cats Like People?” – Emotions and Social Structure

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