Rehoming Your Pet

We know the decision to rehome a pet is a difficult decision for any pet owner to have to make and we are here to help support you. With the amount of pets brought to shelters each year there are simply more pets than there are resources for shelters. Shelters are also stressful environments for any pet. We do our best to ensure every pet that comes through our doors has the best possible chance at a happy life, but we need the community’s help to achieve this goal. 

We use a triaged intake system for surrender appointments to ensure pets in emergent situations receive priority, much like an emergency room. We ask the community to attempt self rehoming their pet for 30 days by listing their pet in our courtesy listings. The animal shelter should always be your last resort for rehoming your pet as they are stressful environments for any pet. Your pet will be comfortable and show to potential adopters better in your home and you know your pet best to help them find the perfect new family.

Guilford County’s Pet Rehoming Empowerment Program (PREP)

Our PREP program PREPares you for finding your pet a home by providing information on rehoming practices, bio writing, picture taking and safety tips involved in the rehoming process. When ready, owners can submit a PREP application for a courtesy listing on our website for their pet. A Rehoming Counselor will contact the owner of the pet if needed to ask questions or make suggestions for the bio write up of the pet to help ensure the pet is represented well. Pets are then listed on our website in a free courtesy listing gallery for 30 days to be viewed by potential adopters looking for a pet in the area. Potential adopters will then contact the owner directly to learn more information and arrange to meet the pet and adopt if they are a good match.

If you are out of county, please feel free to use the information below to help you, but we are only able to list PREP courtesy listings for Guilford County residents.

Where to Start? 5 Steps to Rehoming Your Pet

Step 1: Resources to Help Keep You and Your Pet Together

Review the list of resources below to see if there are any assistance programs that can help keep you and your pet together. 

Step 2: Create a profile for your pet.

Share a few photos and some basic information like your pet's personality, habits, what kind of home would be a good fit. This helps potential adopters get to know your pet before they reach out to you. Be honest in your profile, but don’t only focus on negatives. Make sure your photos are well lit, clear and focus on your pet.

Step 3: List your pet on rehoming platforms and social media.

Send in your pet for a courtesy listing on our website as well as listing them on a national platform such as Home to Home or Rehome and/or pet rehoming social media groups. This allows potential adopters to get to see and feel a connection with your pet, which in turn will make them reach out to you for more information. 

Step 4: Speak with and meet interested adopters.

You'll then receive messages from people interested in learning more about and wanting meet your pet. Take your time talking to potential new owners and ask questions. When someone has potential to be a good match for your pet, arrange a meet and greet in a safe public place.

Step 5: Make the transition.

Once you've found the right match, you can share helpful information, routines, favorite toys, and vet records to help your pet settle into their new home.

PREP Courtesy Listing Rules

1. The owner of the pet must be a citizen of Guilford County and must be able to provide proof of residency. 
2. You must have ownership of the pet or have permission from the pet’s owner to list them on their behalf.
3. This service is only for individuals looking to rehome family pets they are no longer able to care for. We will not list litters or animals for breeders. 
4. This is a courtesy listing on our website for potential adopters to view and contact the pet owner directly. Guilford County will not take custody of the animal or facilitate the re-homing of the pet. 
5. Listing the pet in our courtesy listings does not guarantee a surrender appointment. 
6. You must provide a form of contact for the public. This can be an email address or phone number, but you must be comfortable with it being listed publicly as this is how potential adopters will contact you for information and arrange to meet the pet. 
7. You may charge a small rehoming fee of up to $75 that matches our adoption fee or may choose not to have a rehoming fee.
8. The pet will only be listed on our website for 30 days. If you would like to renew your listing please re-apply for the program or contact us at AS_CustomerService@guilfordcountync.gov