How to Rehome Your Dog Safely in Surrey

Having to rehome a dog can be an extremely difficult decision. Circumstances change, and sometimes finding a new home is the most responsible and loving decision an owner can make for their dog.

At SalliPets Dog Rescue, we understand how difficult this can be. We believe that people who genuinely need help rehoming their dog should be able to ask for that help without being judged.

Our priority is simple: we don't just want to find a dog a home — we want to find them the right home.

Finding the Right Home for Your Dog

Every dog is different. Their personality, history and individual needs should determine the type of home they need.

When considering rehoming, it is important to provide as much information as possible about your dog, including:

• Age and breed or type
• Personality and temperament
• Experience with children
• Behaviour around other dogs
• Behaviour around cats and other animals
• Exercise requirements
• Medical needs
• Training and behavioural history
• Whether they can be left alone
• Their normal routine, likes and dislikes

Being open and honest about your dog's history helps us look for a home that is genuinely suitable for them.

Why You Shouldn't Give Your Dog to Just Anyone Online

Advertising a dog on social media or a classified website may appear to offer a quick solution, but it can be difficult to know who is responding or whether they can provide the safe, permanent home your dog needs.

Rehoming should be about much more than finding someone willing to take a dog.

At SalliPets, we focus on matching the individual dog with the right person or family.

A young, energetic dog may need a completely different lifestyle from an older dog who wants a quiet home. Some dogs thrive with children, while others need an adult-only environment. Some can happily live with other dogs, while others need to be the only pet.

The dog's needs come first.

How SalliPets Rehomes Dogs

SalliPets is a small, independent dog rescue that has been giving dogs a second chance since 2015.

Wherever possible, we learn as much as we can about each dog before finding their new home.

We want prospective adopters to understand the dog they are considering adopting, including their personality, routine and individual needs.

Our aim isn't to complete an adoption as quickly as possible. We want to create a match that has the best possible chance of becoming a happy, permanent home.

Keeping the Previous Family and New Family in Touch

One of the things we do differently at SalliPets is encourage communication between the people who have entrusted their dog to us and the dog's new family, where everyone involved is comfortable with this.

The previous family often knows their dog better than anyone. They can tell the new family about their routines, favourite things, personality, habits and the little things that can make settling into a new home easier.

It can also provide reassurance for the previous family.

Giving up a much-loved dog can be heartbreaking. Being able to hear how their dog is settling in and knowing that they are safe and loved can mean a great deal.

For the new family, having someone who knows the dog's history can also be invaluable.

We believe rehoming can be a cooperative process between the rescue, the previous family and the new family, with everyone working towards the same objective: the dog's happiness and welfare.

Our 7-Day Adoption Trial

SalliPets offers a 7-day trial period before the adoption contract is finalised.

This gives the dog and prospective family time to settle together and determine whether the match is right.

A dog may behave differently when they first arrive in an unfamiliar home. Giving everyone some time before finalising the adoption can help both the family and the dog.

Finding the right permanent home is more important to us than rushing an adoption.

Rehoming Doesn't Mean You Have Failed Your Dog

There are many reasons why somebody may no longer be able to care for their dog.

Family circumstances can change. People move home, relationships change, financial circumstances alter, owners become unable to provide the care a dog needs, or a dog's needs may simply no longer be compatible with the household.

Asking for help can sometimes be the responsible thing to do.

What matters is making sure the dog's future is considered carefully.

Need Help Rehoming Your Dog in Surrey?

If your circumstances have changed and you need to rehome your dog in Surrey or the surrounding area, contact SalliPets Dog Rescue and tell us about your situation.

Please provide as much information as you can about your dog, including their age, breed or type, health, temperament, behaviour and the type of home you think would suit them.

The more we understand about your dog, the better chance we have of finding the right match.

Every dog deserves a safe, loving and suitable home — and every successful rehoming starts with understanding the individual dog.