I Can’t Keep My Companion Animal, What Can I Do?

Do you feel you can no longer keep your companion animal and need to find a new home for him or her? This page provides the information you need to help find a good home and ensure that your companion will be well cared for in the years to come.

Before You Make That Drastic and Final Decision

You may be dealing with a behavior problem, or someone in your household has allergies, or you are having trouble finding housing that will accept your companion. These situations can be frustrating, and you may feel that giving up your companion is the only solution. But before you take that drastic step, be aware of the resources that are available to help you deal with these problems.

Behavior Problems

If you are dealing with a behavior problem, talk to your veterinarian. Many problems are due to a treatable medical condition. For example, a housetrained animal may begin urinating in the house due to a urinary tract infection. Your vet will be able to rule out a physical cause of the problem and may also be able to refer you to an animal behaviorist in your community who has the expertise to help with your companion’s behavior problem. These web sites also have helpful tips on solving behavior problems:

Health Problems

Does someone in your household have a health problem such as an allergy that makes it difficult to keep your companion? Has a physician actually recommended you give up your companion? Before taking such a drastic step: Read PETA’s Living With Allergies to Animals.

Finding a Safe and Loving Home for Your Companion

Finding a responsible home for your companion animal is the least you can do for an animal that has doubtlessly given you trust and unconditional love. When you look for a new home for an animal, please be sure the animal’s best interests remain your top priority.

A “good” home means a home where the animal will live for the rest of his or her life, where he or she will receive attention, veterinary care, and proper nutrition, and be treated as part of the family.

Please do not turn your companion loose “out in the country.” This is one of the cruelest fates any companion animal could meet. The suffering and fear they will endure is heartbreaking.

Shelters

Another option is to contact local no-kill shelters (but be aware that these shelters are often full).

Humane Societies

If the no-kill shelters are full, you can try local humane societies. However, be aware that animals surrendered to humane societies are often evaluated for adoptability, and there’s a good chance the animal will be killed – especially if the animal is older, or too nervous or fearful during the evaluation.

Pounds

We do not recommend surrendering an animal to your local pound or animal control facility. Surrendering an animal to a pound or animal control facility is generally a death sentence for the animal and in some parts of the U.S, municipal pounds surrender animals to research institutions who ask for them. Many municipal pounds do not put any effort into adopting out animals and often animals are only held for a few days before being killed.

Euthanasia

Finally, only as a last resort, if your companion is terminally ill or has critical behavioral issues such as aggression, you may be considering having him or her euthanized by a veterinarian. Many people leave these animals at shelters, avoiding the reality of what will happen to their “best friend.” It may be easier on you, but your companion will suffer for it by being thrown into a strange place, only to die there because he or she is unadoptable. Placing such an animal in a new home is difficult. Your companion may be traumatized by the shock of a new home or even abandoned by the new owner once his or her problems are discovered. If you choose euthanasia, as a final kindness, you should remain in the room to comfort your old friend during his or her passing. No one should die alone or with strangers.

Serial Pet Dumping

If you do give up your companion animal, please think long and hard before you consider getting another one. Make sure that what caused you to consider giving up this animal will never, ever happen again. When you took in this animal, you took responsibility for a living creature. You may have to accept the fact that you just are not able to have a companion animal.

Please, do not become a serial pet dumper!!