Rehoming Your Dog
Before you make the decision to relinquish your dog to someone else, please consider training as an option if behavior is the issue. Check the “Behavior Problems” link for trainers who work with WARF and rescued pets for free or reduced fees. Many undesirable behaviors are the result of lack of exercise or socialization or simply proper training. Talk to a professional if there is any chance of keeping your pet; W.A.R.F. will help financially with training if necessary. Email info@tahoewarf.com.
If you must give up your pet, there are many resources available to help you. Please do not take your dog to an Animal Control Facility, they are perpetually overcrowded and there is a less than 50 percent chance that your dog will make it out alive. Shelters are stressful, unhappy places for the animals that end up there and this is not an acceptable choice for a pet that you have loved and cared for. Chances are that your dog will spend several terrified, miserable days in a cage before being killed by a stranger. W.A.R.F. does not have a facility and so cannot take in animals but we will make every effort to assist you in placing your dog in a good and loving home should that become necessary. Here are some steps you can take to find a new home for your pet.
**IMPORTANT: All pets must be altered before W.A.R.F. can assist with placement. If you need help getting your dog spayed or neutered please e-mail us at info@tahoewarf.com.**
1) Please email us at info@tahoewarf.com to see if there are any local rescuers who specialize in your dog’s breed (or primary breed if he or she is a mix).
2) Place an ad in the newspaper. For the Reno Gazette Journal, contact Elaine Lange at 775-788-6361 or email her at elange@reno.gannett.com. For Carson City and Tahoe papers, contact Sierra Media Group, Charlene Mulch, charlene@sierranevadamedia.com, 775- 881-1257. Both papers have a very reasonable price for rescue pet ads.
Some tips for newspaper ads:
DO NOT put “free to good home”. DO NOT give your pet away. Ask for a donation; to many people, a free dog is a worthless dog and if a person cannot afford $50 for an adoption fee, chances are they can’t provide the other care that your animal might require. Donations can be made to WARF or any other animal charity of your choice.
Screen carefully. You can use W.A.R.F.’s adoption application, also available on our website, to screen potential adopters. If they rent, verify landlord approval. Always ask adopters to notify you or W.A.R.F. if they are unable to keep their pet at any time in the future. Be honest with prospective adopters about your pet’s likes and dislikes, personality, and medical history but also keep in mind that certain undesirable behaviors are situational and can be remedied with training, exercise or socialization. You can also use a sample contract, phone screening checklist, and application which can all be found at www.petrescue.com
Do not invite people to your home. When you have an interested party, it is best to take your pet to their home to see how he or she will react and to make sure that it is a good environment for your pet.
3) We will list your pet on our website as well as on www.petfinder.com once you send pictures and a short bio as well as your contact information. Email to info@tahoewarf.com or regular mail to W.A.R.F., P.O. Box 5364, Incline Village NV 89450. This is a great resource and many animals are placed this way. Again, use the tools at www.petrescue.com for screening tools and other useful information about rehoming your pet.
4) There are several shelters where your animal, especially if young and healthy, would stand a better chance of adoption than the county facility. Try these groups, however be warned that their capacity is limited and they may or may not have room for your pet.
Nevada Humane Society: 775-331-5770
The Pet Network: 775-832-4404
Reno SPCA: 775-324-7773
Truckee Humane Society: 530-587-5948
5) Visit PETRESCUE.COM for useful screening tools and further suggestions for placing your pet.
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