Putting pets up for adoption can be overwhelming and painful for pet parents. The common reasons pet owners put their pets for adoption are illness, relocation, allergies, childbirth, divorce, and lack of time or money. If a family member develops allergies or asthma, doctors may advise them to stay away from pets, and families may consider putting up their pets for adoption. Here are some things to consider before putting pets for adoption.

Exploring all options
If your pet dog has been diagnosed with a chronic or terminal health condition, reach out to veterinarians or animal welfare organizations who can give you advice and training on taking care of sick pets. If you are unable to afford pet food or unable to pay for your pet’s healthcare, some non-profits can help you by providing food and free medical care. If you are moving, you can engage experienced pet boarding and relocation services who take good care of your dog or puppy until you settle down in your new location. Give them up for adoption only if you are left with no alternative when you are sure you cannot take care of your pets alone.

Getting paperwork in order
Keep your dog or pup’s birth documents, health records, and vaccination schedules in order. The new parent must have access to this information to continue taking good care of the pet. Their health records are crucial for the new vet to understand their health history. Pet parents must share information about their pet’s favorite foods, likes, and dislikes with the new parent. Let them know what scares them or about specific habits so that the new parents can gradually help them adapt to a new home.

Talking to the immediate circle first
Once you give up your dog or pup for adoption, talk to your family and friends who may know your pet and have interacted with them. They may be interested in taking your pet or refer you to someone looking for one. Some people may want to adopt grown-up dogs rather than newborn pups, as raising a puppy takes more work and effort. You can start advertising through other domains if you are still looking for someone to adopt your pet.

Alternate options besides dog shelters
Most dog shelters do exemplary work to care for abandoned pups, dogs, and pets. But some shelters could be overcrowded and need more people to care for the different types of pets. Therefore, finding a clean shelter with enough space to employ trained animal care staff is important. If you cannot find any, it is best to look for alternate options.

Avoiding giving them away to strangers
Avoid giving your pets to strangers as they may sell them after some time for testing or use them for random or uncontrolled breeding. Even if you are in a hurry, avoid giving your dog or puppy to people whose identity cannot be verified or someone without any reference.

Do not advertise on random websites or social media sites
Many verified websites deal with pets, adoption, and animal welfare. If you are keen on advertising that your dog or pup is up for adoption, advertise only on websites that have done good work in suitable homes for pets. You may attract the attention of scammers if you post on unverified websites or social media platforms. Read reviews online to understand these websites’ services and how they select new parents. They must meet the new parents, talk to them, and visit their homes to see if their house is safe and pet friendly.

In case of health risks like allergies, if you hold on to your pet despite your inability to take care of them, it may affect them physically and mentally. In such cases, it is better to give them up for adoption to receive love and affection, just like what you gave them. Though giving up your pet for adoption might be painful, following the tips mentioned above, you can be assured that your loved one is properly cared for.