Advertise through friends, neighbors, and local veterinarians first; then try the newspaper, if all else fails. Your chances of finding a good home are increased when you check references with someone you know. A carefully worded classified advertisement in your local or regional paper will work - it may take time, however. Please do not give your pet away "free to a good home." You have invested time, energy, love as well as provided for basic needs and medical care. Asking a fee will not deter good families but may stop unscrupulous folks.

 

Remember, shelters have adoption fees; ask for your shelter's fee scale to help determine what you should charge for your pet.

 

Ask Questions
Your work does not end when an interested caller phones. Do not be shy about asking questions. These are all questions that animal shelters ask prospective adopters in order to find the right match:

• Find out if they have children
• What do they expect of this new pet?
• Have they had other pets?
• What do they expect to pay yearly for this pet's care?
• Where will the pet be during the day and evening?

 

Screen potential homes carefully:

• Will your pet get along with small children?
• Is the family planning to keep the dog chained outside as a watch dog?
• Will the cat be kept only as a mouser?
• Does the family have a veterinary reference?

You might even want to visit the prospective new home in order to get a feel for the environment in which your pet will be living. Explain that the pet is part of your family and that you want to make sure she will be cared for properly and that you want to see how the animal responds to the new home.

 

Ask for a valid form of identification (preferably a driver's license). Record the number for your records and require the new owner to sign a contract stating the requirements of adoption on which both parties agree. As part of the contract, require the new owner to contact you if he or she decides at some point that they must give up the pet.

 

Always Spay or Neuter
Finally, have your pet neutered or spayed before he or she goes to the new home and be prepared to share all medical and behavior information with the new adopter.