Supported Self Re-homing
"Supported Self-rehoming" is the term for finding a new home for your pet
without bringing them to the shelter.
Sometimes people can no longer care for a loved pet. That may be because they’ve lost their job, or lost their housing, or for some other reason.
It can be a confusing, extremely hard situation for families in this position who may think their only option is bringing a pet to the animal shelter, to help them stay safe and find a new home.
Some 36 percent of pets entering shelters, are owner surrenders. But often the better course is for a family to self-rehome their pet.
Self-rehoming is more humane for pets, and gives peace of mind to the people who can select—and even stay in touch with—their pet’s new family. It’s also very important for the pets who are in physical shelters, who will have more much-needed space and resources.
This page is meant to be a resource to help you re-home your pet on your own or with help from a Strawberry Fields volunteer. Strawberry Fields is here to support you and your pet. We provide a judgement free zone. Please don't hesitate to reach out for help by emailing info@sfanimalrescueil.org.
Please Read This Important Message!!
Our ultimate goal is to preserve the human-animal bond and keep pets and their owners together. A Strawberry Fields volunteer will be happy to assist you in order to do this. We have provided these re-homing resources as a last resort. If all else fails you can use these resources to re-home your pet or a Strawberry Fields volunteer will assist you in the re-homing process.
If you need support please email info@sfanimalrescueil.org.
THIS IS A JUDGEMENT FREE ZONE
Self Re-homing Websites
Below we have given three online platforms you can use for self re-homing your pet after you have exhausted all other options. Each re-homing platform is a little different- we have listed the different features of each site in order for you to decide which platform will work the best for you.
Please contact us at info@sfanimalrescueil.org if you need assistance using these platforms.
We would be more than happy to walk you through the process and provide support!
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Pet owner listing fee: none but can boost for a small fee
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Adoption Fee: $199 for a dog and $49 for a cat
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Audience: nationwide
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Who manages pet profile: you create it and getyourpet.com manages it
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Where are pets listed and promoted? getyourpet.com, petadoption.com and partner websites
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Species Served: dogs and cats only
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Spay/neuter required to list? No, but resources are sent to any pet owner with an intact pet
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Other pet owner listing requirements: pet owner cannot charge additional fees, pet owner must be the legal guardian
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Pet owner follow up: Automated email sent day following adoption, request for feedback sent one-week post-adoption
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Adopter follow up: Automated email sent three days post-adoption and 30 days post-adoption
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Included in adoption: Legal Transfer of Ownership Documentation
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Package: Vet Voucher, 30 Days Pet Insurance, $40 Off at Rover.com, Pet Retail Coupons
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Who is responsible for medical and behavioral: Adopter assumes responsibility of pet as-is per the adoption agreement
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Additional services: none
Please visit getyourpet.com for clarification on any of the information listed or contact Strawberry Fields for assistance.
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Pet owner listing fee: none
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Adoption Fee: no adoption fees
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Audience: North American
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Who manages pet profile: you create it and Strawberry Fields manages it
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Where are pets listed and promoted? Strawberry Fields has a custom Home to Home page
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Species Served: All species that can legally be kept as pets
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Spay/neuter required to list: No but Strawberry Fields will help you get your pet spayed or neutered
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Other pet owner listing requirements: Pet owner cannot charge fees, Pet owner must be the legal guardian of the pet
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Pet owner follow up: Follow-up emails are sent after 30 days.
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Adopter follow up: none
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Included in adoption: Example of transfer of ownership doc.
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Package: none
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Who is responsible for medical and behavioral: Adopter assumes responsibility of pet as-is per the adoption agreement
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Additional services: special posts for people in need of emergency fostering for their pets
Please visit HometoHome for clarification on any of the information listed or contact Strawberry Fields for assistance.
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Pet owner listing fee: No listing fee
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Adoption Fee: $30-$50 cats, $75-$150 dogs
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Audience: Nationwide
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Who manages pet profile: Adopt-a-Pet Staff
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Where are pets listed and promoted? rehome.adoptapet.com, partner websites
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Species Served: Dogs and cats only
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Spay/neuter required to list: No - required of the adopter in the agreement
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Other pet owner listing requirements: Pet owner cannot charge additional fees, Pet owner must be the legal guardian of the pet
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Pet owner follow up: Survey sent to pet owners 14 days post outcome
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Adopter follow up: Survey sent to adopters 14 days post-adoption
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Included in adoption: Legal Transfer of Ownership Certificate
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Package: Legal Binding Adoption Agreement
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Who is responsible for medical and behavioral: Adopter assumes responsibility of pet as-is per the adoption agreement. Adopter has no awareness of what shelter referred the pet to rehome.adoptapet.com.
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Additional services: none
Please visit rehome.adoptapet.com for clarification on any of the information listed or contact Strawberry Fields for assistance.
Additional Re-homing Resources
PAWS Chicago
PAWS offers alternatives to pet surrender and important things to think about when giving up a pet. They also have a crisis foster care program.
Anti Cruelty Society
Chicago's Anti Cruelty society offers a Home to Home adoption program. They also have temporary foster programs for people experiencing crisis.
Keep Your Pet
How to increase your pet's adoptability when you are trying to re-home. They also have resources for behavior support, services for seniors, veterinary care assistance and more.
Helpful Tips for Re-homing
Deciding that your pet needs a new home is not an easy decision. Strawberry Fields is here to support you and your pet. Finding a home for your pet on your own and keeping them out of the shelter is beneficial to both your pet and others in need.
Reach out to us for help at info@sfanimalrescueil.org.
A Healthy Pet Is Easier to Re-home
- Make certain your pet is up-to-date on all vaccinations.
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Provide copies of your pets medical records.
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If your pet is NOT spayed or neutered, we highly recommend getting this done.
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Some of the self rehoming sites require animals to be up to date with vaccines as well as spayed/neutered. If you have any basic questions about vaccines or spay/neuter please reach out to us or if you need resources for low cost vet care click here. We can also walk you through the adoption process and provide helpful handouts.
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It is better for your pet if you are able to re-home them yourself
The shelter can be a very stressful environment for any pet. Ask people in person, but also leave a flyer so they can contact you if they know of someone or decide to adopt your pet themselves. Ask family, friends and co-workers if they know anyone who is looking for a new pet.
Network
Network your dog or cat through friends, family, coworkers and within your community through social networking (facebook, Nextdoor or one of the re-homing sites listed above) and good old-fashioned word of mouth.
Re-homing a pet through Craigslist may place your pet in significant peril. Many animals advertised on Craigslist have wound up victims of abuse and neglect, re-homed to backyard breeders, hoarders, dog-fighting rings or other criminal elements.
Make A Flier and post to online platforms
Create flyers, post to Facebook and Nextdoor,com and other local groups. Make colorful and creative flyers highlighting special information about your pet. Let prospective adopters know all about him or her. The more you share, the more a prospective adopter can figure out if your pet is a good match for them. Make sure the photo of your pet is clear. Hang this flyer in places adopters may hang out - community recreation centers, libraries, coffee shops, churches etc.
Evaluating Potential Adopters and the Adoption Process
Most forms for self rehoming adoption will be available to you through the rehoming websites listed on this page but Strawberry Fields can provide you with any needed forms as well. Including:
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adoption application
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what to look for on an adoption application
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important questions to ask applicants
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transfer of ownership
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follow up forms for post adoption
We will also provide you with a step by step process to complete the adoption.
SFAR Focuses Our priorities on Helping Senior Pets In Open Admission Shelters
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In an effort to divert senior pets from entering the traditional shelter system, other senior pets are accepted as space allows and on a case-by-case basis with the following criteria: We prioritize admitting senior pets from senior people who can no longer care for their dogs or cats due to assisted living admission, health or physical limitations, or guardian death. We will consider other criteria as well.
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If you have a senior pet that you need to re-home and would like your pet to be considered for admission into SFAR, please fill out the inquiry form below. Please note that filling out the inquiry form does not guarantee that your pet will be admitted into SFAR.
Intakes Have Been Temporarily Suspended but an SFAR volunteer would be happy to assist you with self-rehoming your pet