Rehoming Your Dog.
We know that personal circumstances can change and even with the very best intentions pet owners may need to find a new home for their dog.
This is a very stressful time for you and your family and DRN does everything we can to make the surrender process as smooth as possible.
Having said that we receive a high volume of emails and inquiries about surrendering dogs on a daily basis. Dog Rescue Newcastle is a 100% volunteer run group and we have a limited number of foster carers and no kennel facility.
We do take in a number of dogs but we URGE pet owners to exhaust all avenues of rehoming their pet privately, if time allows, before contacting us to surrender their animal.
Below is a list of options you need to explore that can help you and your dog, surrendering your dog should be you absolute LAST option.
Family & Friends
Ask your friends, family and work mates if they can help with short term housing or interested in adopting your dog.
Post on social media
There is no shame in posting on your page or in groups about finding a home for your dog. You never know who may put their hand up.
Reach out to rescue
If we can’t help approach your local shelter or reach out to other rescue groups – Pet Rescue Directory
Recommendations for the best outcome
If you have no other option but to sell or rehome your dog privately on gumtree or similar platform please remember.
It’s not safe to advertise your dog for free.
Ask at least $100 to $200 for your dog to discourage people wanting a free dog to abuse.
If anyone offers to take your dog check them out very carefully: ask to see photo ID (and take a photo of it).
Go to their home to see where you’ll be sending your pet.
Please try and have your dog desexed before offering him or her for rehoming because he or she will be less attractive to breeders
It’s a legal requirement that your pet be microchipped before rehoming and helps keep them out of the pound
Petrescue Home 2 home program
Home2Home is a supportive and non-judgemental program that provides you with the tools and support needed to rehome your pet from home. Home2Home provides peace of mind knowing your pet is safe at home with you whilst undertaking the adoption process.
The dedicated team will help you list your pet on PetRescue and provide one-on-one assistance to find a loving new home for them. Your pets listing on PetRescue gives them the chance to be seen by 30,000 potential adopters that visit PetRescue.com.au daily. And by using PetRescue’s listing management tools, you’ll be able to converse with potential adopters, arrange meet-and-greets, and select the perfect human/family for your pet.
Local rescue groups
Below is a list of local rescues and organizations that may also be able to help with surrendering your dog, if we are unable.
Tiki animal rescue - https://tikianimalrescue.com.au/
Port stephens animal rescue - https://www.facebook.com/portstephens.animalrefuge/
Hunter valley animal facility & rehoming centre - https://huntervalleyanimalfacility.com.au/
Hunter animal rescue - https://www.hunteranimalrescue.com.au/
Peggy's promise - https://peggyspromise.com.au/
RSPCA Hunter Region - https://www.rspcansw.org.au/who-we-are/locations/shelters/hunter-shelter/
Maitland Animal Management - https://www.maitland.nsw.gov.au/facilities/maitland-animal-management-facility
If you have exhausted all the above options above and have no other course of action please fill out the surrender form below.
PLEASE UNDERSTAND THERE IS NO GUARANTEE WE CAN TAKE IN YOUR DOG OR PUPPY.
Give us as much information as possible to assign a suitable carer.
Please allow 3 - 5 business days for a response from our team.
We are 100% volunteer run organisation so please be patient on outcomes
We receive over 20 - 30 requests for surrender each week for help.