Do-it-Yourself (DIY) Rehoming
ARK does not have a facility or foster program, and never takes ownership of a dog. The information provided here is for owners who remain responsible for their dog until a new home is found.
If you can no longer keep your dog, please use our Rehoming Instructions for safe and responsible rehoming. The instructions are designed for owners to self-rehome harder-to-place dogs.
You will learn how best to market your dog, find the right adopter, and transfer ownership. We provide tips sheets for writing bios, taking photos, and having meet-and-greets. We also provide an adoption application, a sample contract, transition guidelines to give the adopter, and more.
Preventing Failed Adoptions
From experience we know how to reduce the chance of failed adoptions. Bad matches are highly stressful for dogs and often escalate his/her issues. Your dog needs you now more than ever, so please use these suggestions to help protect yourself, your dog, and the applicant.
- All adults living in the applicant’s home should be on the initial call with you to ensure they are all ‘on the same page.’
- All household members and resident dogs must meet your dog at some point before the adoption.
- DON’T give your dog away on the day of a meet-and-greet. Give the applicants time to think about this major decision.
- Never give your dog to an adopter without an adoption contract.
- Discuss and put in the contract the steps to be taken if the adopter’s fail and/or the dog does not work out in their home.
Include in the contract details about any behavioral issues, particularly those that have caused harm to a human or animal, even if you already reviewed the issues with the adopter.
Additional Rehoming Resources
Several credible organizations provide similar rehoming advice for owners, but the level of detail varies from one site to the next.