If You Are Considering Re-homing a Dog or Cat:First ask yourself why it is you feel you must take this step. Who knows . . . with the right information and resources, there just might be a way around it.
If you are in the military and need a foster home for your pet, go to Operation Noble Foster or Military Pets Foster Project.
If the reason for considering giving up your pet is behavior-related, please see our Behavior and Training link.
If you are considering re-homing your pet because you are in need of either Pet-Friendly Housing or a Pet-Friendly Insurance Company or you want to encourage a landlord to let you move in with your dog because your dog can pass its AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluation, please CLICK HERE.
If you absolutely must move somewhere where you cannot bring your dog or cat, DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE to start looking for a new home for your animal. There are good homes out there, but finding the right match will likey take some time.
If you are having a baby, that doesn't mean you can't keep your pets, too. Please read these articles called "How to Introduce a New Baby to Your Dogs" and "Adding a New Baby to the Pet Household" to learn how you can safely and successfully integrate your new baby into your home with your pets.
If You Need Blank Adoption-Related Forms:All are welcome to use the following blank documents, provided as attachments at the bottom of this page:
If You Need Resources on Screening, Advertising, Dangers, etc.:There are some things you should first be aware of:
Not only are adoption applications, contracts, phone screenings and in-person meetings recommended, but a home safety check is also recommended to ensure the physical safety of the home environment as well as to ensure that the adopter is legitimate. It is recommended to bring someone with you on the home safety check.
There have been known cases of individuals posing as loving homes when their real intent was either to resell the animal for profit, sell the animal for research, use the animal in illegal dogfighting activities, etc. These aren't things we personally encounter every day, but they are, nonetheless, things to keep in mind.
Something that is not at all uncommon nowadays is internet scammers contacting people about their pets listed for adoption in classified ads. The scams often involve one or more of the following components: the wiring of funds; shipment of the animal; the author of the email claiming he/she is from out of the area and unable to meet in person; the author of the email using poor grammar; the author of the email mentioning the Lord or God or that they are a Christian.
Keep in mind that anyone with sinister intentions will very likely not be willing to complete a thorough adoption screening process which includes applications, contracts, meeting in person and home safety inspections.
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Below are several links and attachments to aid individuals and rescuers in the re-homing process:
If You're Trying to Locate All-breed or Breed-specific Rescue Groups:In Sacramento or Northern California, click HERE or HERE or HERE for extensive listings of rescue groups.
(Also see Attachment 6 at the bottom of this page to download an extensive listing of rescue groups.)
To contact a rescue group in the San Francisco Bay Area that helps senior dogs, click HERE.
For other senior dog rescue resources, click HERE.
Nationally, click HERE and HERE and HERE and HERE for extensive listings of breed rescue groups throughout the country.
If you still can't find a rescue group in your area for the particular breed you're trying to assist, simply try doing a search including the word "rescue," the specific breed name and the town name.
Note: Even if a rescue group is full and is unable to accept your animal at the time you contact them, once your animal is *spayed or neutered, rescue groups can often list your pet for adoption on their web site and/or provide you with pre-screened adopters as they become available.
A point of caution: As with anything else, there are reputable and disreputable individuals and rescue groups in existence. Don't hesitate to (politely) ask a lot of questions and/or personally bring the animal to the rescue group location in an attempt to ensure the pet you are surrendering will be safe. It is only natural for you to want a happy ending for your dog or cat, but, whether it be a permanent home or a rescue group, please listen to the little voice inside of your head if something doesn't seem quite right with the situation.
* California law requires rescues and shelters to spay or neuter dogs and cats prior to adoption in most cases. The section pertaining to dogs is Food & Ag Code 30503, and the section pertaining to cats is Food & Ag Code 31751.3.
If You Need Places to List Your Pet for Adoption:
* Once your animal is listed for adoption on Petfinder, there is a link you can click to make printable fliers of your listing to give to friends, neighbors and co-workers and to distribute at local vet offices, in office lunchrooms, on church bulletin boards, at pet supply stores, feed stores, etc.
It's a good idea to list as much info as you can about the animal for adoption in its ad in order to find an adopter who is an appropriate match. Having good photos is also important. A good photo can really be worth a thousand words.
If You are Facing Foreclosure:
Shelter Information . . .Pet Harbor Website:Pet Harbor lists lost, found and adoptable shelter animals at shelters throughout the country.
Area Animal Shelters:Click Here for a link containing a listing of various shelters located in Sacramento and neighboring communities.
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