Do You Regret Getting a Dog?

The animals in shelters and rescues have already been abandoned at least once before, and the shelter wants to prevent that from happening again. That’s why they work so hard to learn as much about potential pet parents as possible — to ensure that you and the animal are a good match and that you have the resources to provide your pet with the care they need and deserve. But adoption remorse does happen. Here’s what you need to know if you’re having mixed feelings about your newly adopted pup.

Can I return an adopted pet if it doesn’t work out?

Many shelters and rescues have policies for returning animals and generally prefer that, if you can’t take care of your pet, you return the animal to their care instead of rehoming them yourself. If the shelter does have a return policy, it is usually in place for a certain amount of time, such as 30 days. If you can no longer take care of your pet, contact the shelter or rescue organization first. They will be able to tell you about their return policy and what the process is like. They may also be able to help you find a new home for the pet if you decide you cannot keep them.

It’s important to remember that returning an adopted pet can be difficult for both you and the pet. The animal may have bonded with you and may not understand why you are returning them. The adoption process is a critical step in ensuring that you and the pet are a good match and to remind you of the commitment of taking care of an animal. Before you adopt, make sure that you are fully prepared and dedicated to providing your pet with a loving home for the rest of their life.

Try rehoming your dog yourself

For most pet parents adding a pet to the family is a permanent decision, but there are times when unexpected circumstances can make caring for a pet difficult. Every pet deserves a loving home, but not every home is right for every pet.

Rehome is a peer-to-peer adoption service that allows pet parents to post pets needing new homes on Adopt a Pet to be seen by the millions of adopters who visit our site each month. Rehome also provides pet parents with all of the tools and guidance they need to screen applicants and choose the right new family for their pet. We can even help to set up safe meet and greets with potential adopters at well-lit, public places.