Re-homing Packet Getting Started Giving up your pet is a tough decision to make, and is not a decision to be taken lightly; many things should be considered before you decide to surrender your pet to a shelter. A shelter can be a very stressful environment for your pet, and often times there is no guarantee your pet will find a new home at a shelter. N.O.A.H. highly recommends you try to re-home your pet on your own before resorting to a shelter. While The N.O.A.H. Animal Adoption Center is unable to accept animal surrenders from the public, we have provided this packet as a resource to help you start the process of finding your pet a new home. In this packet, you will find resources and tips for pet behavioral assistance, rehoming on your own, and surrendering to a shelter as a last resort to help you find your pet a new home. Pet Behavioral Assistance Many times, pets are given up by their owners because of behavioral problems -- and in most cases, there are things that can be done to change the pet s unwanted behavior. Before you give up on your pet, please consider consulting with a reputable trainer or animal behaviorist for assistance. Visit http://www.seattlehumane.org/ or call (425) 373-5385 to find out more about the classes and training offered by The Humane Society for Seattle/King County. Visit http://www.paws.org/help-line.html or call 425.787.2500 x860 to find out more about PAWS pet behavioral assistance services. Visit http://www.aspca.org/pet-care for behavioral tips and advice for cats and dogs. The N.O.A.H. Center - 31300 Brandstrom Road - Stanwood, WA 98292 - (360) 629-7055 - www.thenoahcenter.org 1
Re-homing Packet Re-homing on Your Own When faced with the decision to surrender your pet, it is best to find your pet a new home before taking your pet to a shelter. Animal shelters are very stressful experiences for animals and there is no guarantee that a shelter will have room to take in your pet, and even if they can there is no guarantee your pet will be adopted. Finding a new home for your pet can take time, but the outcome for both you and your pet will be much better. The following steps will get you started: 1. Ensure your pet is in good health. The chances of your pet finding a new home are greater when your pet is spayed or neutered and healthy. Take your pet to a veterinarian and save the records. 2. Reach out. The number one way pets find a new home is by reaching out to friends and family. Ask friends and family if they, or anyone they know, is looking for a new pet. Also ask your co-workers, veterinarian, dog walker, pet sitter, etc. Ask everyone! 3. Place an ad in local newspapers. Many people search these ads, so your pet is likely to get a lot of exposure. 4. Prepare a poster that can be placed on bulletin boards at various places or handed out. A sample poster you can use is provided in this packet. What you should include on the poster: Description of appearance, size and age. Consider including one or more photos (color photos are best!). Include whether or not your pet has been spayed or neutered. The N.O.A.H. Center - 31300 Brandstrom Road - Stanwood, WA 98292 - (360) 629-7055 - www.thenoahcenter.org 2
Re-homing Packet Write a story about your pet. Describe your pet s personality, behaviors, his/ her favorite things to do, or the thing you love most about your pet. Also include the reason your pet needs a new home, and the kind of home he or she needs and would do well in. Put your name and contact information and a time for people to reach you. 5. Post your pet online. Petfinder.com and Craigslist.com are great online services to use to find your pet a new home. 6. Consider charging an adoption fee. Charging a fee will help prevent any malicious people from inquiring about your pet, and people who want a pet for the right reasons won t mind the fee. An adoption fee of $50.00 for a dog, and $25.00 for a cat is a recommended amount. 7. Screen and interview potential adopters. You want your pet to go to a good, permanent home, so evaluate potential adopters to make sure they are a good match for your pet. Initially, speak to those inquiring about your pet through email or phone calls. When it comes time to meet with a potential adopter, it is best to meet at a neutral place. N.O.A.H. has two, open to the public, fenced dog play areas that could be a great spot for you to meet and introduce your pet to the potential adopter. A sample questionnaire is provided in this packet for possible interview questions you can ask. You might also consider the following: Verify the name and address with a driver s license. Get references (friends, neighbors), and call to see if they can vouch for the person s ability to care for animals. If applicant is a renter, call their landlord to confirm they have permission to have a pet. Take your time when considering applicants. Do not feel pressured to make a decision you are not comfortable with. The N.O.A.H. Center - 31300 Brandstrom Road - Stanwood, WA 98292 - (360) 629-7055 - www.thenoahcenter.org 3
Re-homing Packet 8. Complete the re-homing. Once you have found a new home for your pet, prepare your pet and gather materials for the new owner. Also be sure to: Provide the person with all veterinary records. Take toys, beds, food, medications, etc. so that the pet has these for comfort. Provide the person with any behavioral information she or he will need. Get the person s contact information if you wish to follow up with them. Document that you transferred ownership and materials. A sample adoption contract is included in this packet for your use. Last Resort Surrendering Your Pet to a Shelter Once you have exhausted all the resources provided in this packet and are not able to re-home your pet on your own, your last option is to surrender your pet to a shelter. Most animal shelters operate at full capacity; therefore, there is no guarantee that a shelter will have room to take in your pet. There is also no guarantee that your pet will get adopted quickly, or at all, at a shelter. Please contact the shelter to check space availability, and to find out their policies before bringing your pet to any shelter. Please see the list of local shelters included in this packet. You can also visit http://www.pgaa.com/washington.html for a list of shelters located in Washington State. The N.O.A.H. Center - 31300 Brandstrom Road - Stanwood, WA 98292 - (360) 629-7055 - www.thenoahcenter.org 4
I Am Looking for a New Family! Place pet photo(s) here. My Name Is: I am a: My Story: (Age, Sex, Breed Mix/Type) If you would like to meet me, please contact: (Owner s Name) (Phone Number) 5
Interview Questions for dogs 1. What drew you to this dog? 2. What are your reasons for adopting a dog? Watchdog Breeding Hunting dog Child s pet Companion for other pet Companion for self or family Other 3. When outside, how do you intend to keep your dog confined to your property? Fenced pen Leash Fenced yard Other 4. How many adults and children are in your home? Ages of children 5. How many dogs, cats, or other pets/animals are in your home? 6. Finish this sentence: I need a dog that will tolerate being alone hours a day. 7. How will you exercise the dog? Backyard Walk/jog daily Dog park Other 8. What difficult dog behaviors have you dealt with before? 9. What dog behaviors would you like more information on? Chewing Barking Digging Play biting Housebreaking Rough play Other 6
Interview Questions for Cats 1. What drew you to this cat? 2. What are your reasons for adopting a cat? Child s pet Companion for other pet Companion for self or family Rodent/pest control Other 3. How many adults and children are in your home? Ages of children 4. How many dogs, cats, or other pets/animals are in your home? 5. If they have a dog: what experience has the dog had with cats? 6. This cat will: Live strictly indoors Be living indoors/outdoors Live outdoors only Enjoy being outside while I m with him/her Come and go independently Enjoy living in our barn 7. What difficult cat behaviors have you dealt with before? 8. What dog behaviors would you like more information on? Litter box problems Scratching furniture Play biting Other 7
Adoption Contract In order to be considered to adopt a pet, you must: Be 18 years of age or older; If you are below 18 years, a parent or legal guardian should fill in the form; Have the knowledge and consent of your landlord if you currently rent; Have identification (of the same person who is filling up the form) showing your present address for verification purposes only; Be able and willing to provide a loving, safe and peaceful environment for the pet; Be able and willing to spend the time and money necessary to provide training, medical treatment, and proper care for the pet. Adopter s Agreement I agree that the animal(s) is (are) being adopted for myself and will not be sold, adopted, or given to another party. (initial) I agree that the animal(s) that is (are) adopted will not be used for commercial or breeding purposes and I agree to sterilize the animal(s) if it (they) is (are) not sterilized at point of adoption. (initial) I agree that the animal will not be allowed outdoors without proper supervision. (initial) I agree to care for the animal in a humane manner and be a responsible animal guardian. This includes supplying adequate food, water, shelter, attention, and medical care. (initial) I understand and agree that the original owner makes no guarantees about the animal's temperament and is not responsible for future damages or injuries caused by the animal. (initial) I give the original owner permission to call my home at any reasonable time to assure that the animal is being properly treated and cared for. (initial) I agree to keep the original owner informed of my current home address and phone number. (initial) I agree that all statements I have made on this form are true. If it is found that any statements I have made on this form are not true the adopted animal can be confiscated. Adopter's Signature(s): Date: Current Owner s Signature(s): Date: Adopter s Information Full Name(s): Address: Phone number: Email Address: 8
Shelter List CASA (stray/ownder surrender dogs and cats from Camano Island only! Fee for surrenders) 360-387-1902 160 N. Can Ku Road, Camano Island www.camanoanimalshelter.org EVERETT ANIMAL CONTROL & SHELTER Strays for most of Snohomish County. (Will NOT take strays from Arlington, Darrington, Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace, Mukilteo or Sultan. DO take owner surrenders for a fee) 425-257-6000 333 Smith Island Road, Everett HOMEWARD PET ADOPTION CENTER (Homeward Pet takes in owner surrenders by appointment only) 425-488-4444 13232 NE 177th Pl, Woodinville WA 98072 www.homewardpet.org HUMANE SOCIETY OF SEATTLE/KING (Animal control for cities of Renton and Medina, strays for King Co. Owner surrender cats & dogs with fee) 425-641-0080 13212 SE Eastgate Way, Bellevue www.seattlehumane.org HUMANE SOCIETY OF SKAGIT VALLEY (Animal control for Skagit County Stray cats & dogs. Owner surrender with fee) 360-757-0445 or call Skagit Co. Animal Control at : Emily Diaz- (360)428-3211 or 911 18911 Kelleher Rd., Burlington www.skagithumane.com REGIONAL ANIMAL SERVICES OF KING COUNTY (Animal control for King County outside Seattle City limits. Owner surrender with a fee) 206-296-7387 www.metrokc.gov/pets WHATCOM HUMANE SOCIETY (Animal control for the cities of Bellingham and Lynden, Stray cats & dogs. Owner surrender with fee) 360-733-2080 3710 Williamson Way, Bellingham www.whatcomhumane.org PAWS (Animal control for cities of Lynnwood, Brier, and some Snohomish counties. Stray cats & dogs. Owner surrender with fee) 425-787-2500 15305 44 th Ave W., Lynnwood www.paws.org PURRFECT PALS (cat-only rescue group. Owner surrender with fee) 360-652-9611 230 McRae Rd. NE, Arlington www.purrfectpals.org SEATTLE ANIMAL CONTROL (Animal control for City of Seattle. Strays/owner surrenders from Seattle only) 206-386-7387 2061 15 th Ave. W. www.seattleanimalshelter.org SEATTLE PUREBRED DOG RESCUE (24 hr message line-foster homes only) 206-654-1117 www.spdrddogs.org SEATTLE PUREBRED CAT RESCUE (24 hour message line to adopt or place a cat of specific breed) 206-782-2616 www.catpurebredrescue.org 9
Shelter List S.P.O.T. Saving Pets One at a Time (foster home and adoption network) 360-336-5388 SARVEY WILDLIFE CENTER (wildlife rescue and rehabilitation) 360-435-4817 13106 148 th NE, Arlington www.sarveywuildlife.org ALTERNATIVE HUMANE SOCIETY BELLINGHAM 360-671-7445 www.alternativehumanesociety.org CRAIGSLIST.COM (website listing lost/found/available animals nationwide) www.craigslist.com PETFINDER.COM (website listing lost/found/available animals nationwide) www.petfinder.com Reduced Cost Spay/Neuter FERAL CAT SPAY/NEUTER PROJECT (provides free spay/neuter for feral and unowned cats) 425-673-2287 PET NEUTER & VACCINATION CLINIC 360-629-8387 727 265 th St. NW Stanwood MOBILE SPAY STATION www.wesnip.org ask for vouchers HUMANE ALLIANCE Tacoma www.coalitinhumane.org, www.pnsp.org Other Resources EQUINE RESCUE www.sweet-t-ranch.org BEST LITTLE RABBIT/RODENT AND FERRET HOUSE 206-365-9105 or www.rabbitrodentferret.org SUMMIT ASSISTANCE DOGS 360-293-5609 or www.summitdogs.org PASADO S SAFE HAVE N (farm animal sanctuary and referral for animal cruelty calls) 360-793-9393 www.pasadosafehaven.org 10