The Pet Rehoming Agreement Explained

In rehoming situations, before adopting a pet from a private owner (or handing your pet over to a new parent and new home), make sure both sides sign a rehoming agreement. This one simple form can help protect you and your pet. It spells out expectations, provides everyone with a clear record of the handoff, and helps set up your pet for a stable, happy life.

Who needs the pet rehoming agreement form?

Both the current pet parent and the new adopter should have their own copy of the rehoming agreement. The agreement provides proof of adoption and outlines standards for the pet’s care. It’s important that both sets of pet parents agree on parameters before a pet is rehomed. 

What’s needed in a rehoming agreement?

You can find many pet-rehoming agreement templates online, including this one from Adopt a Pet. A rehoming agreement should include the following information. 

Contact info

An adopter would include contact information for themselves, including their name, partial address (city, state, zip), email address, and phone number, as well as the private owner’s contact information in case of emergency. Adopt a Pet suggests omitting all parties’ full addresses for safety reasons.

Pet information

Each pet rehoming agreement form should include a detailed description of the pet, including their name, age or date of birth, sex, breed, color, and description. As part of the agreement, the private owner should prepare a transition guide, which includes the name of the pet’s vet. They should also detail the pet’s known likes, dislikes, feeding schedule, activity preferences, potty schedule, sleeping arrangements, and the food they currently eat. Lastly, the form must include the pet’s microchip number and the microchip company’s name, so the new pet parent can update the chip information accordingly. 

Vaccine and health status

The agreement should include a section with vet records for the pet, the date and description of their last vet visit, and their vaccination statuses (which vaccines the pet has received and when). It should also detail information about any health issues or dietary needs. 

Details on fees and payments

Most shelters and pet websites include a rehoming fee or adoption fee when transferring pets, and this is no different with rehoming. The rehoming fee protects the animals from entering potentially harmful homes. So, expect the pet rehoming agreement to include a section outlining this fee and how payment will be made. Financial information or bank account information should not be shared with any other individuals, including the private owner. Here are some protocols to follow, to avoid scammers.

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Responsibilities of rehoming parties

The rehoming agreement should include a section outlining the responsibilities of each party. The private owner should acknowledge that they are the current legal parents of said pet. And the adopter should agree that, upon transfer of ownership, they will care for the pet in a safe manner and provide them with adequate food, water, exercise, vet care, and love.

Terms and conditions

Each rehoming agreement should include a clause that does not guarantee the pet’s health or temperament, because these factors are unpredictable. It should also include a section stating that the private owner is not liable for the future behavior of the pet or any damages they may cause. 

Transfer of ownership and liability

A transfer of ownership and liability section may be part of the terms and conditions, or it may be broken out separately. Just make sure there is a section covering both ownership and liability concerns for both parties. 

Signatures

A pet rehoming agreement is complete when both parties add their signatures, printed names, and the date signed. 

How to ensure a successful rehoming process?

A private owner cannot guarantee a successful rehoming process, but there are many steps they can take to find the best-matched home possible. Creating a pet profile for the pet on Adopt a Pet’s Rehome platform is a great way to start. 

After signing the agreement

If the private owner feels confident in the adoption happening that day, all they need to do is get the pet ready for their new home. And to help them settle into their new home, the new family should receive a transition guide that includes:

• The pet’s likes, dislikes, routines, and a feeding schedule

• How much exercise or play they’re used to

• Commands they know, and how they were taught them

• Litter-box quirks (for cats) or a potty schedule (for dogs)

• Sleeping setup and preferences

• Familiar items: food, toys, bed, leash, carrier, etc.

• The food the pet eats and their favorite treats 

• A collar with ID tags and a rabies tag 

• Microchip registration information 

It is a good idea for the private owner to follow up with the adopter after a few days, a week, and a few weeks — to make sure the adjustment is going smoothly. 

Rehoming agreement template

There are many rehoming agreement templates available online. We’ve linked one for you here, to get started.

Can I customize the rehoming agreement?

The private owner and/or the adopter can customize the rehoming agreement to meet their needs. For example, if the private owner has a plan B set up in case the rehoming doesn’t work out, they can include that information in the agreement. 

Do you need to rehome a pet?

Rehome by Adopt a Pet is a peer-to-peer service that allows individuals in the U.S. to post pets they cannot keep, to Adopt a Pet’s website.

If a pet parent chooses to post their pet on Rehome, they will be guided through the entire process — from creating the pet’s profile to viewing applications. Once the pet’s profile is live, millions of potential adopters will be able to view them.

Commonly asked questions

Is it wrong to rehome a pet?

No, it isn’t wrong to rehome a pet. Sometimes things just don’t work out, and it is wiser to seek a more comfortable life for your pet. Be sure to rehome your pet through a reputable organization such as Adopt a Pet, which can help you find real adopters with safe homes for your furry friend. 

How should I proceed if an adopter needs to return a dog?

The rehoming agreement should also spell out what happens if the dog ever needs to be returned. You can contact a professional, such as a trainer or a veterinarian, for advice first. If no plan B arrangements are available, you can surrender your pet to a shelter — but be aware that your pet’s survival may be at risk if the shelter is overcrowded. 

What are the legal considerations?

A pet rehoming agreement should cover the private owner (the previous pet parent) legally if something goes badly in the pet’s new home. However, the private owner should make sure they’re not violating any previous adoption agreement by attempting to rehome their pet. Many shelters and rescues include clauses in adoption agreements that forbid pet rehoming. Breaking a previous agreement could lead to legal issues. 

What exactly is a rehoming fee for a pet?

A rehoming fee is a payment made to a person or organization from which someone is adopting a pet. The fee helps deter potentially dangerous people from adopting the pet and helps offset prior expenses from pet parenting. 

What’s a reasonable rehoming fee?

A reasonable rehoming fee for a dog starts at $50 and goes up to $250. In general, a rehoming fee should never be more than $300. Rehoming fees for cats are a bit lower, ranging from $50 to $100. 

Why do people have a rehoming fee?

People charge a rehoming fee to make sure potential adopters are serious about giving their pet a good home. Giving a pet away for free is never advised because the pet can end up in dangerous situations and potentially be harmed. 

References

“A Guide to Rehoming Your Pet Responsibly.” animalfoundation.com/a-guide-to-rehoming-your-pet-responsibly.

Barnacle, Sarah. “Near-fatal puppy attack shows importance of honoring adoption agreements, group says.” www.boston25news.com/news/local/massachusetts-puppy-fighting-his-life-loses-both-eyes-after-being-attacked-by-larger-dog/GUBWBXYNORD7BKFFTMYGZCSZAQ.

Gray, Allison. “How to Handle a Failed Pet Adoption: Returning a Shelter Pet Without Shame.” www.petful.com/animal-welfare/failed-pet-adoption.