If you can’t keep your pet
Giving up a pet is a difficult decision. Before rehoming your pet, take some time to consider whether support or alternative options may help you keep them safely in your care. Many issues that lead people to consider surrendering a pet can be resolved with the right help.
If you can no longer care for your pet, there are different ways of finding them a new home. Often, owners may be able to rehome their pet directly with a family member, friend, or another suitable owner. If a suitable home cannot be found, a pet may be surrendered to a council pound, animal shelter or rescue organisation. The organisation will assess the pet and may seek a suitable new home.
This guide has some suggestions which may help you to keep your pet and looks at rehoming options.
Common reasons people consider rehoming a pet
Behaviours such as barking, destructive behaviour, anxiety, house-training problems and difficulties with other pets can be challenging. Many of these problems can improve with the right support. A veterinarian, or a qualified animal trainer or behaviourist may help you understand the problem and find practical ways to address it.
Seeking help early can often prevent behavioural issues from becoming more serious and may help you continue caring for your pet.
If your pet has a medical condition, talk to your veterinarian about treatment options and the costs involved. In some cases, payment plans or support programs may be available. This can help make treatment more affordable and easier to manage.
Talking to a veterinarian about your concerns can help you decide on the best care for your pet before considering surrender.
Before deciding to surrender your pet, talk to your landlord or housing provider about possible options. You can also contact animal welfare organisations or services that help people keep their pets during housing instability.
In some situations, support may be available to help you keep your pet while you deal with housing challenges.
A new baby or changes in family circumstances can make pet ownership more challenging.
Resources such as the We Are Family program provide advice on helping pets adjust to changes within the household.
If financial pressures are affecting your ability to care for your pet, support may be available to help you through a difficult period. Local services and programs may be able to help. This can include veterinary support, pet food programs, and subsidised microchipping and desexing.
These options may help reduce pet care costs and allow you to continue caring for your pet.
Sometimes life circumstances can make it difficult to care for a pet. This may be due to illness, family violence, housing problems, or other personal emergencies. If your situation is temporary, support may be available to help care for your pet until things improve.
Seeking support early may help you keep your pet and reunite with them once your circumstances improve.
Before you decide to rehome your pet
Many pet owners find that practical support can help them keep their pet while they work through a difficult situation. Before deciding whether surrender is the right option, consider whether any of the following may help:
- Explore available support services or community programs which may help.
- Seek temporary help from family, friends, or other trusted carers.
- Speak with a veterinarian about medical or behavioural concerns.
- Consider whether your circumstances are temporary or long term.
- Look into short-term support that may help you continue caring for your pet.
Rehoming your pet
If you can no longer care for your pet, rehoming may be an option.
Before surrendering your pet to a council pound, consider other rehoming options. This may include a trusted family member or a friend. If the pet came from a breeder or rescue organisation, they may be able to take the pet back. An owner-led rehoming service such as Pet Rescue's Home2Home program could help you. Animal shelters and rescue groups may also offer support.
The more information owners provide about their pet, the easier it is to find them a good home. You should provide as much information as possible about your pet's needs, and their personality, behaviour and health.
Finding the right home
When considering a new home for your pet, think about the type of environment where they are most likely to thrive. Think about the type of home that would suit your pet. Consider whether they are comfortable around children, get along with other animals, and how much exercise they need.
It is also important to disclose any special medical conditions or behavioural needs that a future owner should be aware of. Providing detailed information about your pet helps increase the likelihood of finding a suitable and lasting home.
What happens if you surrender your pet?
If you surrender your pet to a council, shelter or rescue organisation, staff will review information about their history, health and behaviour. This helps them decide whether the pet is suitable for rehoming.
It is important to understand that not all animals can be rehomed.
Serious health problems, behaviour problems, welfare concerns, or legal requirements can affect an animal's future. Councils and shelters will make decisions based on the information available and the welfare needs of the pet.
Being honest about your pet's history helps organisations make the best decisions for both the animal and the community.
Information you may be asked to provide
When surrendering a pet, you may be asked to provide information on:
- your pet's age, breed and sex
- microchip, registration and vaccination details
- medical history
- medications or ongoing treatment
- behaviour around people, children and other animals
- training history
- any previous incidents involving aggression or injury
- the reason you can no longer care for your pet.
Providing complete and accurate information helps organisations understand your pet's needs and make the best decisions for their future.
If rehoming is not possible
In some situations, rehoming may not be a realistic or humane option.
Where a pet has severe medical conditions, significant welfare concerns, or serious behavioural issues that compromise safety, euthanasia may be considered.
If euthanasia is necessary, it should be performed by a veterinarian.
Never abandon your pet
Abandoning or ‘dumping’ an animal is an offence under Victorian law. Abandoned animals can suffer from exposure, starvation, injury and potentially death.
If you can no longer care for your pet, seek help from your local council, shelter, rescue organisation, or veterinarian.