Our pets are our pride and joy, though unexpected things may happen such as sudden migrations, moving homes or unforeseen financial stress that lead to an inability to sustain them. At such times, people often look to relocate their pets. As this is a delicate procedure, there are certain things to keep in mind before and when doing so.

Needless to say, rehoming is not a first option and should always be a last resort. Remember that pets are family. They are not disposable items and must never be treated as such. While we empathise owners who realise they can no longer properly care for their pet, it’s strongly encouraged to see all options through. Request aid to take your pets with you when migrating, look for apartments that are pet friendly or reach out to close family or friends who’ve bonded with your pet to check if they would be willing to adopt them. It’s always ideal if the pet can somehow remain with you, or at least with someone close to you that they are already fond of.

Rehoming can affect pets mentally, causing feelings of depression, abandonment and loss. Which is why it is strongly advised against for older pets, as they tend to be extremely attached to their environment, its people and their routines. Generally, younger pets have a better time adjusting to being rehomed while senior pets can be more stubborn. Through general cases and personal experience, it may be that they are unable to adjust to a new home at all, despite how much they seem to like the new owners. They tend to relentlessly try to escape, even harming themselves in the process.

Sudden rehoming can also lead to behavioral issues as well as general discomfort. Steps have to be taken to ensure that the rehoming process is gradual and takes place over a couple of weeks. Once you find a potential new home, have the potential new family visit the pet at your home a few times. Once they’ve bonded, take your pet to visit their new home. Extend the hours every few visits, allowing them to familiarize themselves with the new home until they feel at ease. Eventually, have them sleep over a day, a weekend, a week and so on. Finally, drop them off at the new home for good, making sure to visit every so often, gradually leaving more and more space between the visits. 

The rehoming process in which you gradually distance yourself after introducing the new family, may take weeks or months. To rehome is to break the vow of commitment you made to them when they were adopted. So this isn’t asking a lot - you owe your pet that much. Which is why it is important to get a headstart on rehoming to give your pets the due time they require to adjust to a new home, rather than when you’re a week away from leaving them behind. 

It is vital that the new family can provide the loving care that they deserve. Look into the family, follow up with mutual friends and do the due diligence to ensure that it’s a good home. Communicate the pet’s needs, eating habits, specific activities, their general habits and medical history. Make sure they understand the pet’s personality & traits, and can tolerate any negative/restrictive behavior they have. 

Ask intrusive questions and have in depth discussions in relation to finances, accomodations and their pet care experiences. Make sure the new family is patient, tolerant and compassionate to have to deal with the rigorous process that is rehoming, and make sure that they are able to care for a pet for the remainder of their expected lifespan.

In the case of rehoming a pet with commercial value, there are a few more things to consider. First, do not, under any circumstances, give away a fertile pet to a stranger. You can never know how good a facade someone can put on, with hidden malicious agendas. You are essentially playing with lives. Do not carelessly let your pet become a breeding machine who births litters of miserable pups every two months for the remainder of their life. Second, there is a vanity and greed surrounding animals with commercial value in Lanka. Make sure that the new family in fact has the resources to take care of your pet’s extensive needs and genuinely cares for them. It isn’t unheard of to find such abandoned senior animals on the streets - don’t let your pet become one.

In the case of an outdoor pet or stray animal that you care for, that only pops by every now and then for a meal, rehoming may not be the best alternative. These creatures are attached to their freedom, the neighborhood and its community, and don’t take too kindly to being trapped in a new home in an alien environment. The ideal way to go about making sure they are continuously cared for, is by inquiring any compassionate and friendly neighbors if they’d be willing to provide meals every so often, and deworm and vaccinate as per their medical book. Offering to provide financial aid also goes a long way.

Finally, to end with what should have been the beginning - before you adopt, do your research. A pet is typically a 12-15 year old commitment. Make sure you have the financial stability and time to support their dietary needs, emotional needs and physical health care, i.e. regular vaccinations & deworming, as well when they inevitably fall ill every now and then. Pets cannot be discarded once you change your mind - they are meant to be raised as family. Just as you wouldn’t abandon your child at whatever the cost or circumstance, you should not abandon your pets. Know what you’re getting into, so you don’t put very real lives at stake.

Photo by Julissa Helmuth from Pexels.