How can I find a new home for my personal pet?

Please note: Owners surrendering their pets to an animal shelter usually are put to death within the next few days. Never consider turning your pet, or a litter of puppies or kittens, loose "out in the country". This is the cruelest fate any domestic pet could meet. The fear, abuse, and suffering they will encounter is heartbreaking if they even manage to survive at all. A quick death by needle injection at your vet's office is a much more preferable end -- and more humane.

• Have a vet check the animal for its health status
• Have the animal sterilized to prevent vicious cycle of pet overpopulation
• Prepare flyers to advertise the animal's availability. See Create a flyer and Make a flyer
• Post flyers in pet stores, veterinary offices, places of worships, markets, health clubs and other strategic places
• Aggressively network friends, family, co-workers by email -- include digital photo
• Give flyers to your children to take to school
• Triangle-area rescues and one national group where you can post a pet online:

A New Leash on Life (dogs only)
Independent Animal Rescue
Paw Prints Animal Rescue
Snowflake Animal Rescue
Petfinder Classified Ads

If you live in the Triangle area of NC, we can also post your information in our electronic newsletter as featured adoptable pets. It usually comes out on Wednesday of every week. Just send us a bio of your pets (good with kids? with cats? with dogs? etc.), a picture, and contact (email and phone number) information to lisa@petfoster.org

Place an ad in local newspapers. Include adoption fee to discourage bunchers.
NOTE: Please never give an animal away for free or advertise as "Free to a good home." Not only will it discourage despicable bunchers from answering your ad, it will encourage only serious prospective pet owners to call.

Cat phone screening guide for prospective adopters
Dog phone screening guide for prospective adopters

At the minimum, ask an adoption fee for the dog or cat to at least recover any expenses you put out to get the animal in a healthy state, sterilized and advertised as available for adoption.

Ask for driver's license numbers, business/personal references, vet references and check ALL of them. If, after a thorough phone screening you like the person, have them meet the dog or cat at your home (if you are single, have a buddy come over at the same time). If all goes well, check out the prospect's home as well to see where the animal will be living.

If you are ready to adopt out the cat or dog, have the adopter sign a Pet Adoption Agreement.

A booklet prepared by Best Friends Animal Sancturay gives you tips on how to prepare good flyers, spread the word, advertise, prepare your pet, and guide you through the screening process of potential adopters. READ MORE