Groundwork
Plan to devote some time to re-homing your pet. It can take a while to find a good home. People like healthy animals, and St. Augustine Humane Society requires that all pets are spayed or neutered and up-to-date on rabies vaccination. Take your pet to a veterinarian and save the records. Or, our Spay Shuttle service is a low-cost option for both the surgery and rabies vaccine. We suggest that you include a re-homing fee to reimburse you, if you are unable to cover the costs. Good pet owners will not mind giving you a reimbursement for these services.
Reaching Out
- Friends and family are the number one way pets find new homes. Contact everyone!
- Place an ad in the local newspapers. Many people read them, and many ads are FREE!
- Prepare a flyer/handout about the pet and include:
- Appearance, size and age – consider using a good photo.
- Describe his/her nature and what you like about him/her.
- Describe your pet’s health status (see Groundwork above!).
- Put your name and phone number and a time for people to reach you.
- Make it fun. For example: Felix is a fun 3-year-old tabby looking for a sunny window to sit in. He is good with other cats and dogs. I must give him up for adoption because I am moving into a retirement home. Please call XXX-XXXX after 8:00PM.
- Prepare a flyer/handout using our Poster Maker on the lost and found page of our website (the poster maker can be used for adoption purposes)
Posting Your Pet Online
You can post your pet for re-homing on our Available Pets page by registering with PetMatch Registration. To use this service, first complete the registration and submit. Please email a photo of your pet with your name attached to the email. Remember the more information you provide during this process, the better the match is likely to be between your pet and a new owner.
In most cases, the SAHS will review your application to post your pet within 48 hours. If there are questions or concerns about your pet, the SAHS will contact you. Otherwise, your pet will be posted for the public to see. Once posted, wait for emails or phone calls from people interested in adopting your pet.
In order to keep the site up-to-date and fresh, each animal you post for re-homing will be removed from display after 30 days. You will be notified of the removal and asked if you would like to renew your pet's registration. You can also remove your pet at any time. Just email us at clerical@staughumane.org
Screening the People
You care that the pet makes it to a good, permanent home, so now you must “screen” the people who contact you. Asking some key questions will help with this, but be sure you have a conversation with the person and not an “interview” because you will get more from the exchange! Here are some questions to ask:
- Is this pet for you or someone else?
- Is it okay to have pets in your home/apartment/condo?
- Have you had pets before? If so, why are you interested in taking ________?
- Do you have any children?
- Are you willing to have me visit your home?
- Will the pet be supervised outside?
Meeting the People
You can meet people at their place or have them come to your home, but the safest way is to meet in a neutral spot. You may meet right here at our facility, if you like. We have a private visitation room to accommodate you. Bring the pet with you. What you want is to see:
- How the person interacts with your pet.
- Did they bring additional people (kids)? Is everyone there who needs to be?
- Ask additional questions – be sure they aren’t going to sell your pet!
- If you aren’t okay with the interaction, feel pressured or have doubts, don’t proceed! Continue looking for someone else.
Completing the Re-Homing
Once you have selected a new home for your pet, then prepare the pet and gather materials for the new owner. Meet at an agreed-upon time and place to give your pet to the new owner. You are giving up ownership rights, so be sure.
- Provide the person with all veterinary records.
- Take toys, beds, food, medications, etc. so the pet has these for comfort.
- Get the person’s contact information so you can obtain an update, if you like.
- Provide the person with any behavioral information she or he will need.
- Document that you transferred ownership and materials.
Remember-- you are in control of where your pet finds his forever home, so choose carefully. You will be required to sign a waiver, holding SAHS harmless during and after the adoption process. If you don’t have anyone step up who wants to be the new love of your pet’s life, DO NOT abandon your pet in the woods, or parking lot or anywhere. This can lead to horrific outcomes. Surrender him or her to the St. Johns County Pet Center or contact a rescue group.
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