Trying to find a new home for your cat or dog?  Read on!

First, ask yourself honestly why you want to give up your animal.
 

1. BEHAVIORAL PROBLEM? GET RID OF THE PROBLEM, NOT THE PET!  If you, as someone who loves your animal, is not willing to put up with the behavior, what makes you think someone else will?  Usually, animals are trying to tell you something.  Contact your veterinarian for help, and don't wait.  Problems do not magically appear and disappear.  In Champaign/Urbana, Dr. Rebecca Buraglio at Caring Hands Animal Hospital [217-328-5350] offers behavioral consults.  Transferring the problem to a new unsuspecting owner is not the answer.

2. MOVING?  There are plenty of pet-friendly residences.  If an apartment complex said you couldn't move in if you had children, would you get rid of them, too?  Yes, it may take more time to find the type of housing you want, but isn't your furry friend worth it?

3. PERSONAL PROBLEMS? Evidence suggests that animals actually LOWER blood pressure.  Hopefully, you love your animal enough to not simply dispose of him/her when times are tough.

4. NOT ENOUGH ROOM FOR THE ANIMAL? Animals generally adapt to virtually any living space.  It may not be an ideal environment, but, chances are, you are more bothered by it than your pet is.  Then consider that taking the animal into the shelter will result in your animal being confined in a small cage or run.

5. CAN'T FIND HOMES FOR BABIES?  Hopefully, you now recognize that spay / neuter is the answer.  There are just not enough homes for companion animals.  Contact us for spay/neuter help.

6. ALLERGIES?  Are you sure it is the animal that is the cause for you or your family member's allergies?   Several studies have concluded that it is rare for allergies to be so severe that the animal must be relinquished.  More vacuuming and cleaning will help; scores of medication are available to alleviate symptoms. Read more on coping with allergies.

7. HAVING A BABY?  For some reason, there is a myth that having a baby is incompatible with having a pet.  This is simply not true.  While pregnant women should minimize their exposure to cat feces, there are alternative ways to deal with scooping litter for 9 months (husband, automatic litterbox, etc). Read more about preparing for a new baby.

8. SPOUSE DISLIKES ANIMAL?  If you had the animal before the spouse, then the spouse should have accepted the package deal.  If you adopted the animal while married, guess what... he/she agreed to it at some point.

9. JUST DON'T WANT ANIMAL?  This is probably the real reason for most relinquishments, despite the many excuses often given.  You are right; your animal deserves better.  Hopefully, you will remember that animals require care and that the commitment was too much for you before you ever think of adopting another animal.

Second, consider what the transition will do to your pet.

1. DEPRESSION: Some animals stop eating, become lethargic, and very depressed.  Some will even starve themselves.  The older they are, the more likely they will become depressed.  They don't understand why you don't want them. 

2. SCARED/UPSET: The animal may act somewhat aggressive because of the unfamiliar surroundings and have to be euthanized as a result.

3. KILLED DUE TO LACK OF SHELTER SPACE: Most shelters cannot indefinitely hold an animal.  This change may very likely end their life.  Older animals, especially, are very difficult to place and are often simply euthanized because of poor adoption prospects.

Third, consider what the transition will do to other animals.

Hundreds of homeless dogs & cats are killed every day in area municipal shelters for lack of space.  Even if you do find your pet a home, that is one less home for another truly needy animal.

Still want to find a new home for your animal?

1. Consider running an ad in the paper.  Always ask for a small adoption fee.  There are research companies, as well as cruel people, that will be dissuaded by any fee.  Hopefully, you will be satisfied with the home you pick out.

2. Talk to neighbors and co-workers.  Often times, friends will help.

3. Talk to a local veterinarian about help with placement.  Perhaps you can post a sign in their office.

4. Contact your local humane society, but know that there is only so much space.  Do not lie to them about behavioral issues or problems, because another animal may very well die in order to make room for your animal.  Make sure you give full and complete information so that the trained staff can make the right decision for the animals in their care.

Note: Finding shelters & their staff or volunteers unresponsive??

Every day, CATsNAP & other no-kill shelters receive a staggering number of requests to admit someone's cat or dog — what we in animal rescue call an "owner give-up".   Meanwhile, hundreds of homeless dogs & cats are killed every day in area municipal shelters for lack of space.   This heavy burden that we live with every day can make it difficult to hear from people who act as if they are doing us a favor by giving us another animal to adopt out. 

Instead of giving up on the animal that once brought joy to one's life, we encourage people to find solutions to keep the dog or cat happy in the household.  The Internet is full of advice for common behavior problems, how to live with allergies, how to welcome a new baby, etc.   There simply are not enough homes for every dog and cat.

To those who say that we in animal rescue are not responsive enough:  we challenge you to read a letter written by an anonymous person in animal rescue, to offer a glimpse into our world.  

Better yet, we challenge you to volunteer with us to become part of the solution.