So you need to find a new home for your pet?

We hope that when you bring an animal into your life you have made a commitment for the life of the pet. There are often ways to help keep a pet in the home. For example, many behavioral issues can be addressed by working with a qualified trainer or behaviorist. Behavioral problems can also be the result of medical issues so a veterinary exam may be necessary. 

Behavioral scientists have proven that animals feel fear and sorrow when their lives are disrupted. While we encourage you to keep your pet, if that simply is not possible, we want to help you find a quality new home or help you find a place for a stray pet.  

PLEASE do not leave an animal in a rural area thinking that the pet will be able to take care of itself and live wild and free. Cats and dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years and are not equipped to fend for themselves. They become food for coyotes, hawks, owls, and other wildlife and can be in danger of less than kind humans. They may wander for weeks as they slowly starve to death. NEVER DO THIS.

If you are willing to work with your pet, please scroll down to find more information about common behavioral, financial, and other issues associated with giving up a pet. 

Resources for Finding a New Home

If you feel you cannot keep your pet then it is your responsibility to find a safe and loving new home. 

We highly recommend you use the website Adopt A Pet.  This site is a national database of adoptable pets. When people search the White Mountain region of Arizona, your pet will show to everyone as an adoptable pet, just like any of the shelters in the area!  For information on how this website works go to https://rehome.adoptapet.com/how-it-works.  There is a small fee for rehoming your pet. If you cannot afford the fee, please use the code RCXHAQTL2U8AD8Z.

• If you purchased the pet from a breeder, give them a call, they may take the animal back.
• If you adopted from a shelter, check your contract, it may require that you contact them before finding a new home for your pet. They may accept your pet back into the shelter or have suggestions for placing your pet.
• Purebred rescue. If your animal is purebred, there are rescue groups for almost every breed. Check with our local Kennel Club, Arizona White Mountain Kennel Club, www.awmkc.homestead.com , PO Box 3768, Show Low, AZ 85902; or www.akc.org/breeds/rescue.cfm . For cats, www.fanciers.com has a listing of cat breed rescue groups. In Arizona, contact www.cabra.org. Go to www.petfinder.org. Search for breed that matches your pet and contact all the rescue groups and shelters that come up asking if they will accept your pet or can refer you to another rescue or shelter.
• Petfinder.com will allow you to post an adoptable pet ad at no cost. Write a description of your pet, state how your pet gets along with other animals (dogs good with cats or not), age, any medical information (spayed, vaccinated, etc.) and be truthful about why you are giving up the animal. An adopter must make an informed decision about how your pet will fit into their home and lifestyle. Misrepresenting your pet may result in the animal being given up yet again.
• Do not place an ad 'free to good home'. Adoption fees should be set at a reasonable amount meant to discourage people from selling pets to research labs (called bunchers) or collecting and hoarding large numbers of animals.
• Post flyers. Feed stores, veterinary clinics, grocery stores, pet groomers, community centers, grocery stores, etc.
• Word of mouth. Let your friends, relatives, co-workers, people you meet at Church, that you need to find a home for your pet.

Potential Adopters

When someone contacts you about adopting take the time to interview and determine the suitability of the offered home. Please, don't skip this step. It is your responsibility to do your best to find your pet a loving forever home.

• Does the potential adopter own their home or rent? If they rent, you will want to call the owner/manager to find out if they allow pets and if there are any size restrictions which might apply to your companion animal. Is there a deposit? Can the adopter afford this?
• Do they have a pet now or have they had a pet in the past? What happened to those pets? Do they have a veterinarian? Call the vet and ask if they have a record of taking good care of their pets. Can the adopter afford to feed good quality food and to get vaccines and other medical maintenance for their pets?
• Ask to see their home to determine if it is adequate to meet your animal's needs. Will the fence keep a dog confined? Things of that nature.
• Do they know that a dog who is well cared for can live 10-15 years and a cat as long as 20 years. Are they prepared for a long-term commitment?
• Will the animal be kept inside or outside? Inside pets have longer healthier lives and a better quality of life. Pets desire the company of humans, as we desire their company.
• Be truthful about any bad habits or special needs your pet may have. If you mislead the adoper he or she may just give up the animal or bring it back to you.
• Do they have children? Does your pet like children? Are the children well behaved around pets? If you have a all adult household, placing your pet in a large family of active children may be too much of a change and result in bad behavior because your pet is frightened.
• Do they have other pets? Do those pets get along with other animals? Does your pet get along with other animals? If you can set up a meeting for your pet and their pet at a safe location, other than the new home or old home, so neither pet feels like protecting their 'home', you will get a better idea if the pets will get along. Check our behavior section of this website for "Introducing your pet to a new pet" for tips on helping pets adjust to each other.
• Ask if you can make a follow up visit after the adoption, or at a minimum make one to two follow-up calls to make sure the pet is doing ok.

Shelters - the Last Option

Shelters across the country are overwhelmed right now. This means, if you take your pet to a shelter, it will likely be euthanized.

In addition, some shelters charge relinquishment fees to cover the cost of medical care and housing for the pets that are turned in to their facility. Fees vary but can be as much as $50. This fee does not guarantee the pet will not be euthanized.

There are 'no kill' shelters, and Pet Allies is one of them, however, we are always at capacity and chances of getting your animal accepted are small. Please call the shelter directly at 928-537-8009 to get on our waitlist for owner relinquishment. The wait can be as long as 6 months. 

If your pet is elderly, sick, or has such severe behavior problems that it is un-adoptable, euthanasia with a loved family member may be the more humane solution.

How does Pet Allies decide which cat or dog will be accepted into foster care? There is a committee of dedicated people at Pet Allies who work together to make those decisions based on several factors. Most important, is there space in foster care for the type of pet needing a new home? Secondly, why is the pet being relinquished? Does the owner want a guilt-free way to 'get rid' of a problem dog or cat?  If someone can truly no longer care for their pet, they should act responsibly and find a safe, dependable, loving home for their animal.

Thank you for taking the time to read this information and for caring about your companion animal.

"Listed Services: Pet Allies neither endorses nor promotes these businesses. You should thoroughly investigate all services prior to patronizing them."

How to Deal with Common Issues-- Behavior Problems

We understand. Bad behaviors DO make the pet difficult to live with, but don't give up! Find a solution; make changes in your home or lifestyle. Sometimes, spending a little extra time with the pet can help modify or eliminate problem behavior, such as destroying household items, and can save your pet's life.

• Is your pet spayed or neutered? Often altering your pet will eliminate the behaviors like marking or roaming.
• Use the library and the internet to research information on behavior problems and ideas on solving them.  Check out the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) site about rehoming your pet and some of the solutions to common behavior problems (Click here)
• Check with your veterinarian to see if there might be a medical reason for your pet's behavior. Often, pets that eliminate inappropriately (don't use the litter box, etc.) have a medical condition that can be treated and will stop the problem.
• Contact a trainer or behaviorist. 
• Arizona Humane Society at 602-997-7585 and Arizona Animal Welfare League at 602-273-6852 run free telephone behavior helplines. You can also get information on their websites at www.AZHumane.org and www.AAWL.org
• Ask friends who have pets if they have had similar experiences and for their help in solving this situation. Brainstorm with friends and relatives. Did something change in your household that may have upset the pet and be causing this problem?

Financial Setbacks

Sometimes people have financial setbacks and feel that can't adequately care for their pet. Unfortunately veterinary care can be expensive. Pet Allies is only able to provide spay/neuter services and occasional vaccination clinics at this time. Low cost vaccines are given periodically at Tractor Supply. Contact the local store for more details. Care Credit provides loans to help provide funds for medical needs. (Click here). Some veterinarians will also work with you to provide payment plans. Check around so that you get the best deal on services. It may also be helpful to take a trip to the Valley where there are more veterinary options. 

Food

Pet Allies can help with food. Our Pet Pantry is set to go live again in the Fall but even now we can provide short term help with dog or cat food. Please stop by the shelter during regular business hours for assistance. 

Medical Care

• Is your pet spayed or neutered? Often altering your pet will eliminate the behavior. We can help. We offer deeply discounted or free services depending on your financial needs. Visit our spay/neuter page to make an appointment to alter your pet
• Local Animal Control agencies offer annual discounted rabies clinics. Keep an eye on city websites and social media to learn when they might be offering a clinic. 

Sources of possible financial assistance:

Housing

If you're temporarily without housing and are faced with giving up your companion animal due to this, consider the following.

• Foster care. Do you have a friend, relative or former neighbor who can take your pet while your are resolving your housing problem? Is there someone at church who might be able to help? Can you pay anything toward the maintenance of your pet while you seek a new home for yourself? If so, contact local boarding facilities and check to see if they might offer a discount or payment plan. Click here for a list of boarding facilities and pet sitters.
   
• If you are a victim of abuse, natural disaster, are a member of the military being transferred overseas, Arizona Humane Society 602-997-7585 or www.azhumane.org, and Best Friends Animal Society 435-644-2001 or www.bestfriends.org (e-mail is the quickest way to get help from Best Friends at animalhelp@bestfriends.org) have programs that may be able to board your companion animal free for a limited time based on your situation.

Pet Friendly Apartment or Rental Housing List

Finding housing for you and your pet can be challenging.  Many rental units have restrictions on size, breed, or types of animals allowed. Many may also require significant pet deposits or additional monthly pet fees. Pet friendly housing can be found, but it does take a little while. Planning on your part can make a move for you and your pets possible. When looking for housing, be sure to search for pet friendly housing on sites like apartments.com and Zillow.  Call the complex or landlord and discuss your situation. Private landlords may be more likely to work with you in allowing you to move in with your pets. 

If you own a rental unit, please consider allowing people with pets to move in without restrictive fees.  Many studies have found that pet owners are more likely to stay long term in a rental unit.  

For more information about pet-friendly housing for renters and landlords, see the Humane Society of the United States website.