If you receive difficult news, such as having to move to a place that isn’t pet-friendly, the key is to give yourself as much time as possible to start rehoming steps. Waiting until the last minute can limit your options and might force you to surrender your pet to an overcrowded shelter where their future could be uncertain.

Here’s how to plan ahead effectively:

• Join Facebook Groups Early: Many community and rehoming groups require approval to join, which can take a few days. Start now to gain access to these valuable resources.

• Begin Research Immediately: Look into reputable rescues and shelters, especially breed-specific ones, that might be able to assist.

• Reach Out to Friends and Family: See if anyone in your personal network can help provide temporary care or is interested in adopting.

• Prepare Your Pet’s Records: Gather vaccination records, health history, and any information that will help potential adopters feel confident in taking in your pet.

• Take High-Quality Photos: Good pictures can make a huge difference in attracting attention to your pet. Capture their personality through clear and engaging photos.

Planning ahead gives your pet the best chance of finding a loving home. The earlier you start, the more time you’ll have to find the perfect match for your beloved companion

When it comes to rehoming your pet, widening the audience is key. Start by reaching out to friends and family, but don’t stop there—community pages, breed-specific groups, and rescue-focused pages can make a huge difference. Here’s how to make the most of posting and outreach:

• Make a Facebook Post and Crosspost Like Crazy: Write one detailed and informative post and share it in every relevant group you can find. Join statewide and local groups, including breed-specific and rehoming pages, to maximize your reach. Keep in mind, it can take days to get approved to join some groups, so start early.

• Be Transparent and Informative: Share as much about your pet as possible—personality traits, age, health, favorite activities, and why they need a new home. Transparency builds trust and attracts serious adopters.

• Use Apps Like Nextdoor: This app connects you with neighbors and is a great way to spread the word about your pet in your local area.

• Prepare for Follow-Up: Posting in multiple groups means you’ll get replies and inquiries. Be ready to dedicate time to responding, answering questions, and sharing additional details about your pet.

• Research Potential Adopters: While it’s important not to judge a book by its cover, doing a little research on social media profiles can give you a sense of the person reaching out. Be cautious but open-minded; some of the best adopters may not have much online presence but come with great intentions and hearts full of love.

Social media and outreach are powerful tools, but they require persistence and consistency. Keep at it, post regularly, and don’t lose hope—this method works! Trust your instincts as you navigate the process, and remember, every effort you make brings you closer to finding your pet the perfect home.

Ensuring your pet is placed in a safe, loving, and permanent home is the most important part of rehoming. At Fishy’s Friends Rescue, we’ve developed a simple yet effective vetting process that helps us identify ideal candidates and weed out unsuitable ones. Here’s how you can apply our method:

1. Conduct a Background Check

• Public Record Search on OSCN (Oklahoma): This free tool allows you to look up any potential adopter’s history with the law. Focus on crimes against vulnerable populations such as children, elders, women, and animals.

• For Questionable Candidates or Non-Residents: If someone’s background raises questions, consider a paid national or deeper background check. Many reliable companies offer these services if you choose to take this step.

• What to Look For: Be cautious of serious crimes but keep an open mind for people who have turned their lives around. Use your intuition—after all, this is about giving second chances to pets and people alike.

2. Check References and Landlord Approval

• Personal References: Reach out to references provided by the potential adopter. Ask specific questions about their character, experience with pets, and overall responsibility.

• Landlord Approval: If the potential adopter rents their home, confirm that their landlord allows pets. This helps prevent situations where a pet might need to be returned due to housing restrictions.

3. Conduct a Phone Interview

• Build a Relationship: Talk to the potential adopter, hear their voice, and get to know them. This is an opportunity to establish trust and learn about their intentions for adopting your pet.

• Be Mindful of Red Flags: Pay attention to any comments that might indicate poor care or unsuitable living conditions. Trust your instincts if something feels off.

4. Schedule a Home Visit

• Assess the Environment: Visit the potential adopter’s home to ensure it’s safe and suitable for your pet. Look for hazards or signs that the home might not be a good fit.

• Feel the Energy: Sometimes, it’s about whether the situation “feels right.” Trust your intuition.

5. Meet and Greet

• Include All Household Members: Arrange a meet-and-greet with the potential adopter, their family, and any other pets in the household. This ensures compatibility and helps avoid issues where a pet is returned if it “doesn’t work out.”

• Build Confidence: Use this opportunity to bond with the new family and feel assured in your decision. It’s a chance to set everyone, including your pet, up for success.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your pet transitions into a safe, loving home where they’ll thrive. This process takes time, effort, and intuition, but it’s worth it to give your beloved companion the best possible future. 

Step Four can focus on additional steps and considerations to ensure a smooth and successful rehoming process. These are often overlooked but can make a big difference in ensuring the best outcome for your pet.

1. Gather and Share Pet Documentation

• Include medical records, vaccination history, and any relevant behavioral notes.

• Provide a list of the pet’s likes and dislikes, feeding schedules, and routines.

• If applicable, include microchip information so the new family can update it.

2. Prepare a Transition Kit

• Provide a few days' worth of their current food to ease the transition to a new home.

• Include favorite toys, bedding, or items that smell like home to help the pet feel more comfortable.

• Offer a collar, leash, and ID tag with the pet’s name to get the new family started.

3. Set Expectations for the Adjustment Period

• Discuss the "333 rule" (3 days to decompress, 3 weeks to adjust, 3 months to settle in) with the new family.

• Explain that it’s normal for pets to need time to adapt and encourage patience and understanding during this period.

4. Provide Resources for New Owners

• Share guides on training, acclimating to a new home, and pet care tips.

• Recommend local veterinarians, trainers, and pet stores to help them get started.

5. Offer Follow-Up Support

• Stay in touch with the new family (if both parties are comfortable) to check on the pet’s adjustment and provide guidance if needed.

• Let them know you’re available for questions, but also respect their space as they bond with their new pet.

6. Backup Plan

• Ensure the adopter understands what to do if, for any reason, the placement doesn’t work out.

• Encourage them to contact you or a rescue organization rather than rehoming the pet themselves or taking them to a shelter.

This step focuses on ensuring a smooth transition for both the pet and their new family. It’s about going the extra mile to set everyone up for success and leave no detail overlooked. 

Resources Needed to Follow These Steps

You’ve made it to the final step of this guide—where we’ve compiled all the tools, links, and resources you need to successfully rehome your beloved pet. From rescues and Facebook groups to OSCN and other essential platforms, this section has everything to help you navigate the process with confidence.

Remember, you can access this guide and our other helpful resources anytime through the link in our Facebook bio or directly on our website. We know this is a difficult and emotional journey, but you’re not alone. We’re here to support you every step of the way. You’ve got this, and we’re so proud of the love and dedication you’re showing your pet. Together, we can make a difference!

PUBLIC RECORD SEARCH 

OSCN (You will need their Last, Middle Initial, and First Name) 

SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES (When using social media groups be very cautios of giving away pets for free there are people out there looking for animals with ill intentions) 

Lawton Citizens for Humane Treatment of Animals

Lawton Fort Sill Animal House

All Pets Rescue, Foster, Adopt, Lost & Found

Friends of Cache Lost and Found

Western Oklahoma Animals in Need

OPCS (Ok pet collective - private group)

Animals In Need Of Rescues/Fosters/Adopters In Oklahoma

Hope- Lost/Rehoming dogs and animals in Oklahoma

Free pets of Oklahoma

Foster Network for All Urgent Animals

OKC Adopt a Pet

Oklahoma Pet Foster/Adoption

Oklahoma Dog and Cat Fosters

Adoptable Dogs in Oklahoma

OKC Foster Pets

Lawton Grapevine (Public) 

Medicine Park Community Page

Elgin Community Page 

Cache Community Page

Geronimo Community Page 

RESCUE MASTER LISTS BY ZIP CODE (When searching for rescues it is always suggested to use the facebooksearch bar, internest searches, and even out of state rescues, nonprofit organizations are all at capacity so it is wise to widen the seach and exhaust all resources) 

CHEWY RESCUE AND SHELTER LIST HERE 

DOG LOVERS DIGEST MASTER RESCUE/SHELTER LIST HERE

SPAR PET RESCUES FOR OKLAHOMA HERE 

AT CHARLIE MASTER LIST OF OKLAHOMA RESCUES HERE

BEST FRIENDS FOR LIFE MASTER LIST HERE 

NEXTDOOR NEIGHBORHOOD APP 

NEXTDOOR SITE HERE     (THIS IS ALSO AN APP ON MOBILE DEVICES)  

OTHER PLATFORMS 

ADOPT A PET

PET FINDER 

PetRehomer
A digital platform connecting pet owners with potential adopters, aiming to reduce the number of animals entering shelters. 

Pet Rehome

Home To Home™
An online platform that allows pet owners to find new homes for their pets without placing them in a shelter, reducing stress for the animal. 

Lollypop

Pet Rehoming Network
Specializes in private pet adoptions, uniting pet owners with individuals looking to adopt, ensuring safe and effective rehoming. 

Pet Net

Rehome.org
Assists pet owners in finding loving homes for their pets quickly and safely, offering guidance throughout the rehoming process. 

Rehome

Oklahoma Humane Society
Provides resources and assistance for rehoming pets within Oklahoma, including guidance and support for pet owners. 

OK Humane

Petco's Rehoming Advice
Offers guidance on the rehoming process, including steps to take before rehoming and considerations for finding a suitable new home. 

Petco

The Humane Society of the United States
Provides comprehensive resources and advice for pet owners considering rehoming, emphasizing responsible and compassionate practices. 

Humane Society

These platforms offer various tools and support to help you find a loving and suitable home for your pet. Remember to thoroughly vet potential adopters to ensure the best match for your pet's needs.

If you're facing financial challenges in providing for your pet, several resources in Lawton and Comanche County, Oklahoma, can offer assistance:

Local Pet Food Pantries and Assistance Programs:

• Comanche County Pet Resource Foundation (CCPRF): Dedicated to keeping pets at home and out of shelters, CCPRF offers pet food and supplies assistance to residents of Comanche County. Pet food can be picked up at Hungry Hearts Feeding Ministry in Lawton on the first Tuesday of the month between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. They also provide delivery to special needs cases on Thursdays.
  Comanche County Pet Resource Foundation

• Lawton Food Bank: While primarily serving human needs, the Lawton Food Bank also provides pet items when available. They offer approximately 10 days of groceries to residents who meet eligibility guidelines, and clients may return every 30 days.
  Lawton Food Bank

National Platforms with Pet Food Assistance Directories:

• Pet Help Finder by The Humane Society of the United States: This platform allows you to search for pet food assistance programs by address, helping you locate resources in your area.
  Humane Society

• CoFund My Pet's Pet Food Pantries List: Provides a directory of pet food pantries across the country, helping pet parents find free dog and cat food resources nearby.
  Cofund My Pet

Additional Resources:

• Findhelp.org: Offers a comprehensive directory of animal welfare programs and other social services in Lawton, OK. You can search for assistance by category and location to find the support you need.
  Find Help

• Needhelppayingbills.com: Lists food banks and free pantries in Comanche County, some of which may offer pet food assistance. It's advisable to contact these organizations directly to inquire about pet food availability.
  Need Help Paying Bills

When seeking assistance, it's recommended to contact these organizations ahead of time to confirm availability, hours of operation, and any specific requirements they may have. Additionally, local animal shelters and veterinary clinics may have information on other pet food assistance programs in the area.