We’ve all heard the phrase, “Dog is man’s best friend.” Yes, they’re loyal fluffy creatures that will love you unconditionally forever, but sometimes, due to several reasons, we are obliged to rehome them. You’re probably facing the same issue right now and wondering: “I want to get rid of my dog but I feel bad; what should I do?” let’s talk about what you can do to make this stressful procedure easier for you and your dog.
I Want To Get Rid Of My Dog But I Feel Bad
If your circumstances have changed, and giving your dog away is the only option, it’s understandable that you feel guilty. You are not alone. According to statistics, 6% of dog owner households have to rehome or give away their dogs in the US. [1]
Hopefully, there are some ways to do it relatively painlessly and stress-free, but no matter which way you choose, the most important thing is to rehome him to a loving and caring new home.
First, let’s discuss what might become an unsolved issue and the reason for getting rid of your dog.
When To Surrender A Dog?
It sounds harsh, but some signs will tell you when the time is to get rid of your dog to save both of your time and energy.
My Dog Is Disobedient And Aggressive
A misbehaving dog is one of the most common reasons people rehoming them. When you have an unruled dog, sometimes you’re just like: “I can’t cope with my dog anymore. I need to give him away”.
Dogs develop behavioral problems that can stress you out and make you feel like you can’t handle them anymore. If your dog exhibits aggressive behavior toward people or other dogs, and you can’t put in the proper time and effort to train it, it’s best to hand him over to a new family or dog care shelter.
This will be healthier and better for both of you. [2]
My Dog Takes Too Much Of My Free Time
Adopting a puppy comes with lots of stress. You don’t realize how time-consuming they are until you bring one home. They find it hard to adjust to a new place, cry all night, can’t control the bladder, chew your furniture, don’t leave you alone, bite you uncontrollably, etc. This is a short list of what you will face in the first weeks or months when adopting a young dog. [3]
Yes, every owner should be aware of this responsibility before actually getting a dog, but some dogs are simply impossible to cope with. Each dog has an individual character, and they adjust new things differently.
So, it might not be responsible behavior to give away a pup just because he acts annoying, but it happens. You will realize you don’t actually have enough time and energy to take care of your new buddy, so rehoming him as soon as possible would be a smart option.
My New Apartment Is Not Dog-Friendly
Unfortunately, external factors often make us give away our dogs. If you can’t find an affordable pet-friendly apartment, that’s a pretty tricky problem to solve.
It’s extremely difficult to surrender your beloved buddy only because you can’t find the proper place, but life gets complicated sometimes, and you can’t kick him outside, so the best option would be to find a new home for him. [4]
I Can’t Take Care Of Both Baby And Dog
Babies often become the reason why households rehome their dogs. Newborn babies need constant attention and care, so you will likely find it struggling to look after a dog too. If your dog has been your “only child,” he might get stressed and jealous for the lack of attention, so considering rehoming your pup is reasonable.
However, kids grow up quickly, so rehoming in this case could be a temporary option. Kids growing up with dogs tend to be healthier, they learn responsibility and compassion towards animals, so I’d still suggest you somehow go through the first challenging months and admire your baby growing up with their furry best friend. [5]
However, if your new child is allergic to the dogs and you can’t practically keep them both together, rehoming your dog would be an obvious result.
My Dog Suffers From A Chronic Sickness
Sometimes a chronic illness can take over your beloved furry buddy, making him severely immunocompromised and requiring constant healthcare and attention. [6]
Not everyone can care for such a dog at home, so this problem may be one of the signs when you need to get rid of your dog. It’s okay. It will be better for your dog to be under excellent medical care and supervision. Meanwhile, you will always manage to stop by and say hi.
I Don’t Want My Dog Anymore; Where Can I Take Him?
If you face any of the above conditions, you’ll need to start thinking about rehoming your buddy. You can’t simply put them in the streets, right?
Putting a dog up for adoption might become a long-term procedure. You might not find a new shelter soon after you decide to get rid of your dog, so let’s discuss what steps you’ll need to take to fix the problem faster and correctly.
Ask Around
Asking around your friends’ and relatives’ bubble is the first and easiest way. You already know these people. You can tell who will take the responsibility to take care of a dog, who will be a loyal owner. Your best bet is to find a caring family with prior dog-owning experience.
Giving away your dog to a closer person is great as you’ll always have the chance to pay a visit and check on him. It will be less stressful and depressive for your dog as well.
Search For Rescue Teams
Finding the rescue team also is a good and quick option. If you’re in urgent need to rehome your dog, contact them. Rescuers will take good care of your dog until you find a good, worthy new home. [7]
Use Social Media
Facebook or other social media is another great option. You’ll find several pet groups with thousands of members who own or wish to adopt a dog. So, post about your dog, share pictures, and somebody will reach you.
However, when you hand over your dog to a Facebook stranger, it is wise to sign some form of a legal contract. Ensure they provide quality dog food, won’t throw your dog out without your permission, won’t use him for fighting reasons, etc. Set the rules to make sure they fully qualify as a dog owner.
Find A Dog Shelter
If you’ve tried all of the above and still can’t find a family, foster care service, or rescue group that can adopt your dog, you may need to take your dog to an animal shelter.
However, these shelters rescue and care for many stray, sick, or abandoned animals, meaning they can’t keep yours for long. Thus, if your pup does not get adopted after a specific time, he may end up being put to death.
Make sure you do your best until handing over your dog to the shelter.
I Gave My Dog Away And Regretted It
It’s totally understandable that the idea of giving up on your dog sends shivers down your spine and fills you with unbearable guilt.
First, keep in mind that dogs are a highly inclusive species. Given the right amount of love and attention, they’ll fit in anywhere.
Stay in touch with anyone you give your dog to and ask them to send you regular updates and pictures.
The only cure is when you know your dog is happy and settled. Sadness will eventually start to fade, and you will have only good memories to look back on.
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