What is rehoming?

Rehoming

What is rehoming? Thousands of animals are abandoned or handed in to rescue centres every year because their owners either couldn't look after them any more, moved to a home that doesn't allow pets, and many other reasons. There are many cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs to name just a few who are waiting in these rescue centres for someone to take them home and give them all the love, food and shelter any animal would need. There are many sites and groups out there selling pets for a quick buck but my aim with this blog and corresponding facebook group is to spread the word and help the animals waiting to be adopted find a loving home. There is quite often an adoption fee with the centres, but these are "normally" cheaper than buying from a seller or breeder and include things like neutering and vaccinations in this fee which you would otherwise have to get done yourself.

Adoption

If you feel like you are ready to adopt a pet then that is great news and the rescue centres I'm working with will only be happy to help you find the perfect pet to suit your family and home. There are a couple of things you will need to consider, for example cats can live until they are 20 years old (the oldest cat in the world is nearly 28, that's 128 in cat years!)and dogs depending on breed 8-16 years, guinea pigs 7-10 years so how do they fit into your plans and family future? Can you take them to the vets every year for their booster vaccinations? Can you afford to feed them, neuter them and for any unexpected vet bills that might occur along the way? Have you looked into prices of pet insurance? Have you researched how big they can grow? It might be a tiny cute puppy now but some large breeds will grow fast and clumsy as they are adapting to their new size so there may be the odd accident that isn't their fault. Who can look after them if you go on holiday?

Home-check

Not every pet will suit your specific home environment so most rescue and rehoming centres will carry out a home-check to make sure they find you a pet that suits your circumstances. This isn't something to worry about, it's just to ensure the pet is a perfect match for you and to ensure the pet is going to a safe, comfortable, stress-free and caring home. Some of the factors they will consider are whether you live on a busy road, have young children, or have other pets. Please ensure that everyone belonging to the household is present for the home visit, as the visitor will need to meet everyone who will be living with the adopted pet. This is also the perfect time for you to discuss any queries you may have about taking on a rescue animal.

Adoption fees

All of the different rescue centres will have different adoption fees and also different fees depending on what kind of animal you are adopting. There is normally a minimum suggested adoption fee (which will be different for e.g. a cat or a dog), this is because most rescue centres are run on donations and a majority of the staff are volunteers. On average a cat costs over £150 (taken from Cats protection website) on care whilst it's waiting to be rehomed so a donation helps to fund the care costs of the next pet that is taken in to care. Average adoption fees are between £25-£70 for a cat, depending on whether the pet was neutered before being put up for adoption - most are but occasionally kittens are rehomed before they are neutered (but in these cases the owner signs a contract to get the pet neutered), and roughly £90 for a dog but this is different for each rescue centre so please enquire for a quote when you have seen a pet you are interested in.

Why is neutering so important?
Taken from the RSPCA Thanet Website:

Cats
If you do NOT neuter your cat...You could have Problems ...

The RSPCA has to find homes for 40,000 cats every year. If yours has kittens do you know enough people to take them on and give them good homes for the rest of their lives?
Unneutered tom-cats are noisy at night - often for hours on end. They are likely to stray from home sometimes for days at a time, or get into fights.
Males spray their territory with smelly urine - neutering makes them do this less and the smell is not so bad.

It could Cost you ...

Male cats injured in fights often need expensive vetinary treatment.
An unneutered female will get pregnant and you will end up with kittens to care for - cats can have up to 18 kittens a year in 3 litters.

Your cat could Suffer ...

Unneutered males fight with others and often get infected wounds, abscesses and serious illness.
Unneutered cats roam further than neutered ones, they are more likely to get lost or have an accident.
Your cat could get FIV, a very common incurable disease, similar to AIDS, from fighting or mating with another cat that has it.
Unneutered cats are bound to get pregnant or make others pregnant.

Dogs
If you do NOT neuter your dog...

You could have Problems:

Do You know enough people to take on the puppies your dog might have?
You may have to deal with angry owners of females, if your unneutered male pesters them.
Females come on heat up to twice a year for 3 weeks - unless yours is neutered you will have to clear up after her, and protect her from the attentions of local dogs. Sexual frustration can result in females becoming over excitable.

It could Cost you:

Dogs injured in fights could need veterinary treatment.
Females - no matter how careful you are - might get pregnant - you could end up with a litter of 6 puppies to care for.

Your dog could Suffer:

Testicular cancer can be a risk for unneutered dogs.
Unneutered dogs can have violent urges when a bitch on heat is near - they may fight with other dogs and get injured.
Unneutered females are at risk from pyometra (an inflammation of the womb) and mammary tumours when they get older.
Females suffer unwanted attention from dogs, often much bigger than themselves.
Females kept inside when they are on heat miss out on excercise.

Rabbits
If you do NOT neuter your Rabbit ...

You could have Problems:

Unneutered bucks are very territorial.
Males spray urine and aggression is a common problem.
Unneutered does become territorial from sexual maturity onwards (4-6 months).
Females also may growl, scratch or bite their owners and attack other rabbits if not neutered.
Females have repeated false pregnancies.
Female could have a shorter life span.

It could Cost you:

Male rabbits injured in fights often need expensive veterinary treatment.
Unneutered rabbits mean lots of unwanted babies and there are not sufficient homes now.

Your rabbit could Suffer:

Unneutered males fight with others, and often get infected wounds,
Unneutered rabbits are bound to get pregnant or make others pregnant.
Up to 80% of unsprayed female rabbits develop uterine cancer by 5 years of age or pyometra.