Re-Homing Animals

We all realize that times are difficult, however, that animal that you brought into your family didn't ask that you do so, nor did they ask to be born. So when thinking about getting rid of your pet be thoughtful. Do not demand that a rescue group or shelter take your animal on the spot! Both shelters and rescue groups are full or nearly full all year round, due to the unwanted pet population all across this nation.

One of the many reasons for my job security. Liberty County Animal Control does not take in owned animals, we do not have the kennel space to take in your animal, we have more than enough stray and abandoned animals in this community. So please don't ask that we take your animal....you are the one that brought that animal into your home!! Therefore, do the right thing by this fur baby and not expect someone to take on your responsibility.

Most people know when they are moving enough in advance to plan to rent a place that accepts animals (to include specific breeds that are allowed)!

Steps to Address Before Re-Homing Your Pet

When thinking about re-homing your pet there are certain things you should do:

  1. Make sure your pet is up to date on vaccines (dogs on heartworm prevention) or you have a negative heartworm test or negative feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) test. Do not try to rid yourself of an animal because of these positive tests; most rescue groups will not accept animals with these illnesses due to the cost to treat them.
  2. Make sure you have a complete medical record for your pets to present to the adopter or rescue group, makes life a little easier for them to accept an animal.
  3. Do not expect them to be able to take your animal in on your final day in the area, it's not going to happen.
  4. Begin well in advance, of a move, to locate either a new family, shelter, or rescue group to take your pet. If you can't or are unwilling to do this, be responsible, and do the right thing by taking your pet to a veterinarian and have it euthanized. Do not abandon your animal out in the country or down a dirt road, it's not fair to that animal who has been solely dependent upon you for their care.
  5. Never offer the animal free to a good home, always charge a small re-homing fee for them. If you do this you will more than likely have someone take your pet that will actually care for it rather than use it as a bait animal. (yes there are dog fighting rings in our area and they use animals to bait and train these dogs)
  6. Remember that dumping an animal is illegal and if you are caught you can be prosecuted and sent to jail, so please do the right thing.
  7. Be responsible and spay/neuter your pets, it will help curb the homeless population. We see too many purebred animals come into animal control facilities; it's scary to know that someone paid and didn't come find their family member.
  8. Be prepared to answer questions and subject your animal to temperament testing if you're trying to surrender your animal to an animal shelter or rescue group. Animals are not disposable property and should not be treated as such.