Re-homing Packet - The NOAH Center

Re-homing Packet
Getting Started
Giving up your pet is a tough decision to make, and is not a decision to be taken
lightly; many things should be considered before you decide to surrender your
pet to a shelter. A shelter can be a very stressful environment for your pet, and
often times there is no guarantee your pet will find a new home at a shelter.
N.O.A.H. highly recommends you try to re-home your pet on your own before
resorting to a shelter.
While The N.O.A.H. Animal Adoption Center is unable to accept animal surrenders from the public, we have provided this packet as a resource to help you
start the process of finding your pet a new home.
In this packet, you will find resources and tips for pet behavioral assistance, rehoming on your own, and surrendering to a shelter as a last resort to help you
find your pet a new home.
Pet Behavioral Assistance
Many times, pets are given up by their owners because of behavioral problems -and in most cases, there are things that can be done to change the pet’s unwanted
behavior. Before you give up on your pet, please consider consulting with a reputable trainer or animal behaviorist for assistance.

Visit http://www.seattlehumane.org/ or call (425) 373-5385 to find out more
about the classes and training offered by The Humane Society for Seattle/King
County.

Visit http://www.paws.org/help-line.html or call 425.787.2500 x860 to find
out more about PAWS pet behavioral assistance services.

Visit http://www.aspca.org/Pet-care for behavioral tips and advice for cats
and dogs.
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The N.O.A.H. Center
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31300 Brandstrom Road
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Stanwood, WA 98292
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(360) 629-7055
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www.thenoahcenter.org
Re-homing Packet
Re-homing on Your Own
When faced with the decision to surrender your pet, it is best to find your pet a
new home before taking your pet to a shelter. Animal shelters are very stressful
experiences for animals and there is no guarantee that a shelter will have room to
take in your pet, and even if they can there is no guarantee your pet will be adopted. Finding a new home for your pet can take time, but the outcome for both you
and your pet will be much better.
The following steps will get you started:
1. Ensure your pet is in good health. The chances of your pet finding a new
home are greater when your pet is spayed or neutered and healthy. Take
your pet to a veterinarian and save the records.
2. Reach out. The number one way pets find a new home is by reaching out to
friends and family. Ask friends and family if they, or anyone they know, is looking
for a new pet. Also ask your co-workers, veterinarian, dog walker, pet sitter, etc.
Ask everyone!
3. Place an ad in local newspapers. Many people search these ads, so your pet
is likely to get a lot of exposure.
4. Prepare a poster that can be placed on bulletin boards at various places or
handed out. A sample poster you can use is provided in this packet. What you
should include on the poster:

Description of appearance, size and age. Consider including one
or more photos (color photos are best!).

Include whether or not your pet has been spayed or neutered.
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The N.O.A.H. Center
-
31300 Brandstrom Road
-
Stanwood, WA 98292
-
(360) 629-7055
-
www.thenoahcenter.org
Re-homing Packet

Write a story about your pet. Describe your pet’s personality, behaviors, his/
her favorite things to do, or the thing you love most about your pet. Also include the reason your pet needs a new home, and the kind of home he or she
needs and would do well in.

Put your name and contact information and a time for people to reach you.
5. Post your pet online. Petfinder.com and Craigslist.com are great online services
to use to find your pet a new home.
6. Consider charging an adoption fee. Charging a fee will help prevent any malicious people from inquiring about your pet, and people who want a pet for the
right reasons won’t mind the fee. An adoption fee of $50.00 for a dog, and $25.00
for a cat is a recommended amount.
7. Screen and interview potential adopters. You want your pet to go to a good,
permanent home, so evaluate potential adopters to make sure they are a good
match for your pet. Initially, speak to those inquiring about your pet through email
or phone calls. When it comes time to meet with a potential adopter, it is best to
meet at a neutral place. N.O.A.H. has two, open to the public, fenced dog play areas that could be a great spot for you to meet and introduce your pet to the potential adopter. A sample questionnaire is provided in this packet for possible interview questions you can ask. You might also consider the following:

Verify the name and address with a driver’s license.

Get references (friends, neighbors), and call to see if they can vouch for the
person’s ability to care for animals.

If applicant is a renter, call their landlord to confirm they have permission to
have a pet.
Take your time when considering applicants. Do not feel pressured to make a decision you are not comfortable with.
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The N.O.A.H. Center
-
31300 Brandstrom Road
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Stanwood, WA 98292
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(360) 629-7055
-
www.thenoahcenter.org
Re-homing Packet
8. Complete the re-homing. Once you have found a new home for your pet, prepare your pet and gather materials for the new owner. Also be sure to:

Provide the person with all veterinary records.
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Take toys, beds, food, medications, etc. so that the pet has these for comfort.

Provide the person with any behavioral information she or he will need.

Get the person’s contact information if you wish to follow up with them.

Document that you transferred ownership and materials. A sample adoption
contract is included in this packet for your use.
Last Resort — Surrendering Your Pet to a Shelter
Once you have exhausted all the resources provided in this packet and are not
able to re-home your pet on your own, your last option is to surrender your pet to
a shelter. Most animal shelters operate at full capacity; therefore, there is no guarantee that a shelter will have room to take in your pet. There is also no guarantee
that your pet will get adopted quickly, or at all, at a shelter. Please contact the
shelter to check space availability, and to find out their policies before bringing
your pet to any shelter. Please see the list of local shelters included in this packet.
You can also visit http://www.pgaa.com/washington.html for a list of shelters located in Washington State.
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The N.O.A.H. Center
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31300 Brandstrom Road
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Stanwood, WA 98292
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(360) 629-7055
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www.thenoahcenter.org
I Am Looking for a New Family!
Place pet photo(s) here.
My
Name Is: _____________________________
I am a: __________________________________
(Age, Sex, Breed Mix/Type)
My Story:
If you would like to meet me, please contact:
__________________________
(Owner’s Name)
_______________________
(Phone Number)
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Interview Questions for dogs
1. What drew you to this dog? ______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
2. What are your reasons for adopting a dog?
Watchdog
Breeding
Companion for other pet
Hunting dog
Child’s pet
Companion for self or family
Other _____________________
3. When outside, how do you intend to keep your dog confined to your property?
Fenced pen
Leash
Fenced yard
Other ________________________________
4. How many adults _____and children _____ are in your home?
Ages of children ____________________
5. How many dogs_____, cats _____, or other pets/animals _____ are in your home?
6. Finish this sentence: I need a dog that will tolerate being alone _____ hours a day.
7. How will you exercise the dog?
Backyard
8.
What difficult
Walk/jog daily
Dog park
dog behaviors have
Other _____________________________
you dealt with
before?
_______________________________________
9. What dog behaviors would you like more information on?
Chewing
Rough play
Barking
Digging
Play biting
Housebreaking
Other ____________________________
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Interview Questions for Cats
1. What drew you to this cat? _______________________________________________________________
2. What are your reasons for adopting a cat?
Child’s pet
Companion for other pet
Rodent/pest control
Companion for self or family
Other _____________________________
3. How many adults _____and children _____ are in your home?
Ages of children ____________________
4. How many dogs_____, cats _____, or other pets/animals _____ are in your home?
5. If they have a dog: what experience has the dog had with cats? __________________________________
6. This cat will:
Live strictly indoors
Be living indoors/outdoors
Enjoy being outside
while I’m with him/her
Live outdoors only
Come and go independently
Enjoy living in our barn
7. What difficult cat behaviors have you dealt with before? _______________________________________
8. What dog behaviors would you like more information on?
Litter box problems
Other
Scratching furniture
Play biting
_________________________
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Adoption Contract
In order to be considered to adopt a pet, you must:
 Be 18 years of age or older;
 If you are below 18 years, a parent or legal guardian should fill in the form;
 Have the knowledge and consent of your landlord if you currently rent;
 Have identification (of the same person who is filling up the form) showing your present address for
verification purposes only;
 Be able and willing to provide a loving, safe and peaceful environment for the pet;
 Be able and willing to spend the time and money necessary to provide training, medical treatment, and
proper care for the pet.
Adopter’s Agreement
I agree that the animal(s) is (are) being adopted for myself and will not be sold, adopted, or given to another party. ____ (initial)
I agree that the animal(s) that is (are) adopted will not be used for commercial or breeding purposes and I
agree to sterilize the animal(s) if it (they) is (are) not sterilized at point of adoption. _____ (initial)
I agree that the animal will not be allowed outdoors without proper supervision. _____ (initial)
I agree to care for the animal in a humane manner and be a responsible animal guardian. This includes supplying adequate food, water, shelter, attention, and medical care. _____ (initial)
I understand and agree that the original owner makes no guarantees about the animal's temperament and is
not responsible for future damages or injuries caused by the animal. _____ (initial)
I give the original owner permission to call my home at any reasonable time to assure that the animal is being properly treated and cared for. _____(initial)
I agree to keep the original owner informed of my current home address and phone number. ____ (initial)
I agree that all statements I have made on this form are true. If it is found that any statements I have made
on this form are not true the adopted animal can be confiscated.
Adopter's Signature(s): _________________________ _______________________ Date: _____________
Current Owner’s Signature(s): _______________________
____________________ Date: _____________
Adopter’s Information
Full Name(s): _______________________________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________________________________
Phone number: _________________________ Email Address: _______________________________
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Shelter List
CASA
WHATCOM HUMANE SOCIETY
(stray/ownder surrender dogs and cats from Camano Island
only! Fee for surrenders)
(Animal control for the cities of Bellingham and
Lynden, Stray cats & dogs. Owner surrender with fee)
360-387-1902
360-733-2080
160 N. Can Ku Road, Camano Island
3710 Williamson Way, Bellingham
www.camanoanimalshelter.org
EVERETT ANIMAL CONTROL & SHELTER
www.whatcomhumane.org
PAWS
(Strays and animal control for most of Snohomish County.
*will NOT take strays Granite Falls, Stanwood, Gold Bar, or
Sultan. See animal control number on the back of this sheet.
DO take owner surrenders for a fee)
(Animal control for cities of Lynnwood, Brier, and
some Snohomish counties. Stray cats & dogs. Owner
surrender with fee)
425-257-6000
15305 44th Ave W., Lynnwood
333 Smith Island Road, Everetts
HOMEWARD PET ADOPTION CENTER
(Homeward Pet takes in owner surrenders by appointment
only)
425-488-4444
13232 NE 177th Pl,
Woodinville WA 98072
www.homewardpet.org
425-787-2500
www.paws.org
PURRFECT PALS
(cat-only rescue group. Owner surrender with fee)
360-652-9611
230 McRae Rd. NE, Arlington
www.purrfectpals.org
HUMANE SOCIETY OF SEATTLE/KING
SEATTLE ANIMAL CONTROL
(Animal control for cities of Renton and Medina, strays for
King Co. Owner surrender cats & dogs with fee)
(Animal control for City of Seattle. Strays/owner surrenders from Seattle only)
425-641-0080
206-386-7387
13212 SE Eastgate Way, Bellevue
2061 15th Ave. W.
www.seattlehumane.org
www.seattleanimalshelter.org
HUMANE SOCIETY OF SKAGIT VALLEY
SEATTLE PUREBRED DOG RESCUE
(Animal control for Skagit County Stray cats & dogs. Owner
surrender with fee)
(24 hr message line-foster homes only)
360-757-0445 or call Skagit Co. Animal Control at : Emily
Diaz- (360)428-3211 or 911
206-654-1117
www.spdrddogs.org
18911 Kelleher Rd., Burlington
www.skagithumane.com
REGIONAL ANIMAL SERVICES OF KING COUNTY
SEATTLE PUREBRED CAT RESCUE
(Animal control for King County outside Seattle City limits.
Owner surrender with a fee)
(24 hour message line – to adopt or place a cat of specific breed)
206-296-7387
206-782-2616
www.metrokc.gov/pets
www.catpurebredrescue.org
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Shelter List
S.P.O.T.
SARVEY WILDLIFE CENTER
Saving Pets One at a Time
(wildlife rescue and rehabilitation)
(foster home and adoption network)
360-435-4817
360-336-5388
13106 148th NE, Arlington
www.sarveywuildlife.org
ALTERNATIVE HUMANE SOCIETY BELLINGHAM
PETFINDER.COM
360-671-7445
(website listing lost/found/available animals nationwide)
www.alternativehumanesociety.org
www.petfinder.com
CRAIGSLIST.COM
(website listing lost/found/available animals nationwide)
www.craigslist.com
Reduced Cost Spay/Neuter
FERAL CAT SPAY/NEUTER PROJECT
MOBILE SPAY STATION
(provides free spay/neuter for feral and unowned cats)
www.wesnip.org ask for vouchers
425-673-2287
PET NEUTER & VACCINATION CLINIC
HUMANE ALLIANCE
360-629-8387
Tacoma
th
727 265 St. NW Stanwood
www.coalitinhumane.org, www.pnsp.org
Other Resources
EQUINE RESCUE www.sweet-t-ranch.org
BEST LITTLE RABBIT/RODENT AND FERRET HOUSE 206365-9105 or www.rabbitrodentferret.org
SUMMIT ASSISTANCE DOGS 360-293-5609 or
www.summitdogs.org
PASADO’S SAFE HAVE N
(farm animal sanctuary and referral for animal cruelty
calls)
360-793-9393
www.pasadosafehaven.org
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