How to Rehome a Dog Safely: A Kind UK Guide

Needing to rehome a dog can feel heartbreaking. It can come with guilt, worry, embarrassment and a lot of “what if I’m judged?” thoughts.

But sometimes life changes. People become unwell, families separate, finances become difficult, housing situations change, behaviour problems become unsafe, or an elderly relative may no longer be able to meet their dog’s needs.

If you are in that position, this guide is here to help you slow things down and make the safest, kindest decision possible. In some cases, the right support may mean your dog does not need to be rehomed at all. In other cases, rehoming may genuinely be the most responsible option.

What matters most is that your dog is protected, that you are honest about their needs, and that they are not handed to the first person who says, “I’ll take them.”

In This Guide

• Before You Rehome Your Dog, Pause and Get Support
• Could Temporary Support Help Before Rehoming?
• Common Reasons People Need to Rehome a Dog
• Sometimes It Is Not the Wrong Owner, It Is the Wrong Match
• When Dogs in the Same Home Do Not Get Along
• Why Facebook Rehoming Posts Are Risky
• What About Gumtree, Pets4Homes and Other Online Platforms?
• The Safest Ways to Rehome a Dog in the UK
• What Information Should You Prepare?
• If You Have to Rehome Privately
• A Legal Note About XL Bully Type Dogs
• Helping Your Dog Through the Transition
• FAQ

Before You Rehome Your Dog, Pause and Get Support

Rehoming is a big decision, but it is not always the only option. Before making a final decision, it is worth asking: what is the real reason this is becoming impossible?

Sometimes the answer is behaviour. Sometimes it is money. Sometimes it is illness, exhaustion, housing, work changes, a new baby, a relationship breakdown, or a family member going into hospital.

Once you know the reason, you can look for the right type of help.

If the problem is behaviour

If you are thinking, “I can’t cope with my dog anymore,” and the main issue is barking, biting, guarding, reactivity, separation problems, pulling, jumping up, toileting, or conflict with another pet, please do not assume you have failed.

Behaviour is information. It can be affected by pain, health, stress, sleep, breed needs, fear, frustration, past experiences and the dog’s environment.

A vet check is often the first step, especially if the behaviour has changed suddenly. After that, getting qualified, force-free support can help you work out whether the situation can be improved, managed safely, or whether rehoming really is the kindest option.

If you are based in Essex, Hertfordshire or nearby, you can view our private dog training consultations. We can help you understand what may be driving the behaviour and what your realistic options are.

You may also find these helpful:

• Prevent Practice: How to Stop Unwanted Dog Behaviour
• How to Solve Dog Behaviour Problems
• The Ladder of Aggression

If the problem is money

If the cost of food, vet bills or everyday care is becoming too much, there may be help available before rehoming becomes necessary.

• PDSA may be able to help eligible owners with free or low-cost veterinary care.
• RSPCA pet food banks may help owners struggling with food and basic pet supplies.
• Blue Cross pet food banks may also offer support in some areas.

It is always better to ask for help early, rather than waiting until you feel completely out of options.

If the owner is elderly, unwell or in hospital

This is where many families panic and start thinking, “We need to rehome the dog immediately.” Sometimes rehoming may be needed, but sometimes temporary support is enough.

The Cinnamon Trust is a national charity supporting older people, terminally ill people and their pets. They may be able to help with practical support such as dog walking, short-term foster care during hospital stays or recovery, and lifelong care planning for pets whose owners can no longer care for them.

This can be especially helpful when an elderly parent or relative is in hospital and the family is suddenly trying to work out what to do with the dog.

Mayhew Pet Refuge may also be able to provide temporary care for pets of people facing short-term crisis situations, such as hospitalisation or rehab, although their service is currently limited to people living within the M25.

If the owner is experiencing domestic abuse

Pets can sadly be used as part of coercive control. People may delay leaving an unsafe situation because they are terrified of what will happen to their dog.

Dogs Trust Freedom Project provides free and confidential temporary foster care for dogs belonging to people fleeing domestic abuse. The aim is to keep dogs safe until their owner is safe, settled and ready to be reunited with them.

This is not “giving up” a dog. It is a safety route for both the person and the dog.

If the owner is homeless or in housing crisis

Some people feel forced to rehome their dog because of housing problems, temporary accommodation, homelessness, or the fear that support services will not accept pets.

Dogs Trust Hope Project supports dog owners experiencing homelessness. Their work includes helping homelessness services become more dog-friendly and providing access to veterinary support through their scheme.

If housing is the reason you are considering rehoming, it is worth checking whether specialist support is available before making a final decision.

Could Temporary Support Help Before Rehoming?

Before making a permanent decision, it is worth thinking about whether the problem is temporary or permanent. Some dogs do need a new home, but other families may just need a bridge while life is difficult.

For example, temporary support might help if an owner is recovering from surgery, going into hospital, dealing with a short-term housing issue, caring for a new baby, managing grief, or struggling through a stressful patch.

Options might include:

• A trusted friend or family member helping with walks
• A dog walker for practical support
• Doggy daycare, if the dog is suitable and enjoys that environment
• Temporary care through a charity or support organisation
• A family member caring for the dog during illness or recovery
• A short-term management plan while behaviour support is put in place

The key question is whether the arrangement is genuinely in the dog’s best interests. Some dogs cope well with familiar people and a slight change in routine. Others are sensitive and may find being passed between homes stressful, so this needs to be thought through carefully.

Could a friend or family member help?

A trusted friend or relative can sometimes be a good option, especially if the dog already knows them well. This can be less stressful than moving to a complete stranger or going into kennels.

But it still needs proper planning. A friend who loves your dog is not automatically the right long-term home. They need to understand the dog’s routine, health, behaviour, training needs, costs and any risks. There should also be a clear plan for what happens if the arrangement does not work.

The aim is not to have a dog passed from person to person. The aim is to find either reliable temporary support or a stable, suitable long-term home.

Common Reasons People Need to Rehome a Dog

There are many reasons someone may need to rehome a dog. Some are sudden. Some build up slowly over months or years.

• Serious illness or hospitalisation
• An elderly owner no longer being able to meet the dog’s needs
• Financial pressure or unexpected vet bills
• Housing changes or landlord restrictions
• Relationship breakdown
• Domestic abuse or unsafe home situations
• Bereavement
• A new baby or major family change
• Behaviour problems that feel overwhelming
• Dog-dog conflict within the home
• Safety concerns around children, visitors or other pets
• Work pattern changes meaning the dog is left for too long
• The dog’s needs being very different from what the owner expected

None of these reasons make someone a bad person. But the way a dog is rehomed matters enormously.

Sometimes It Is Not the Wrong Owner, It Is the Wrong Match

One of the kindest things we can do is remove some of the shame from the conversation. Sometimes rehoming is not about a “bad” owner or a “bad” dog. Sometimes the dog’s needs and the owner’s life simply do not match.

A dog may be much higher drive than expected. A working-line dog may need more mental and physical outlets than the family can realistically provide. A young, powerful adolescent dog may be too much for an elderly owner. A dog who needs lots of company may struggle in a home where work patterns have changed.

This does not mean we jump straight to rehoming. It means we look honestly at the dog in front of us, the home they are living in, and whether their needs can be met safely and consistently.

Sometimes, once owners understand what their dog needs, they can make changes and things improve. Sometimes those changes are not realistic. In that situation, a carefully chosen new home may be kinder than asking everyone, including the dog, to keep struggling.

When Dogs in the Same Home Do Not Get Along

Another difficult reason for rehoming is repeated conflict between dogs living in the same home. This can be incredibly stressful for owners, but it can also be deeply stressful for the dogs.

Some dog-dog issues can be improved with management, environmental changes and behaviour support. But if there are severe fights, injuries, constant tension, or one dog is living in fear of the other, it may not be fair to keep pushing that relationship.

Management can work well in some homes, but it has to be realistic. If the safety plan relies on perfect separation forever, several adults being consistent every single day, or children never making mistakes with doors and gates, the risk may simply be too high.

In some cases, rehoming one dog to a carefully chosen home can be the kindest option. Not because anyone has failed, but because both dogs deserve to feel safe where they live.

Why Facebook Rehoming Posts Are Risky

Please avoid Facebook rehoming posts.

That may sound blunt, but this is one area where being direct matters. A public post saying “I need to rehome my dog urgently” can attract people who are not suitable, not prepared, or not honest about their intentions.

The problem is not that every person on Facebook is unsafe. The problem is that casual online rehoming makes it much harder to properly screen people.

Risks can include:

• Impulse homes where the person has not thought through the dog’s needs
• People hiding their real intentions
• Dogs being passed on again quickly
• Dogs being used for breeding
• Dogs being resold
• Dogs being taken into unsuitable homes with children, cats, dogs or working hours that do not match their needs
• In worst-case situations, dogs being targeted for cruel or illegal purposes

When someone is desperate, it is very easy to mistake a quick offer for a safe offer. Rehoming should never be rushed just because someone can collect today.

A reputable rescue will usually ask lots of questions. That can feel slow or frustrating, but those questions exist to protect the dog.

What About Gumtree, Pets4Homes and Other Online Platforms?

Online rehoming platforms can feel tempting because they are quick, familiar and easy to use. But quick and easy is not always safe.

Gumtree does allow pet adverts under its own rules, but that does not automatically make it the safest first choice for rehoming a vulnerable dog.

Pets4Homes is more pet-specific and has its own safety guidance and processes. It may be more structured than a random social media post, but it is still a private rehoming route. That means you still need to be extremely careful, honest and thorough.

For some owners, a platform like Pets4Homes may feel more organised than posting in a local Facebook group. But it should still be treated as private rehoming, not as a substitute for a reputable rescue assessment, home matching process or professional support.

My advice would be:

• Do not start with Facebook, Gumtree or casual online adverts.
• Start with the breeder, original rescue, or a reputable rescue organisation.
• If private rehoming is genuinely unavoidable, use a proper screening process.
• Never hand a dog over to someone just because they sound nice in a message.

If a dog has behaviour concerns, a bite history, fear issues, guarding, reactivity, separation distress or difficulty living with children or other animals, private online rehoming becomes even riskier.

The Safest Ways to Rehome a Dog in the UK

1. Contact the breeder or original rescue first

If your dog came from a rescue, contact that rescue before looking elsewhere. Many rescues ask that dogs are returned to them if the home cannot continue.

If your dog came from a responsible breeder, contact them too. Good breeders may want to help, offer advice, take the dog back, or support you with finding a suitable home.

Some breeders specifically ask to be contacted if the dog can no longer stay in the home. They may have waiting lists, breed contacts, previous puppy buyers, or suitable homes already known to them. This can be especially helpful for breeds with specific needs, working lines, or dogs who would not suit a general pet home.

If you have a contract or any paperwork from when you got your dog, check it before making other plans.

2. Contact reputable national rescues

These are good starting points for UK owners:

• Dogs Trust
• RSPCA
• Blue Cross
• Battersea
• Woodgreen Pets Charity

You can also use the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes rescue directory to find ADCH member organisations.

Rescues may have waiting lists, assessment processes and criteria. That does not mean they are being awkward. It usually means they are trying to place dogs safely and responsibly.

3. Essex and Hertfordshire options

As HPDT is based around Essex and Hertfordshire, these may be useful starting points for local owners:

• Dogs Trust Basildon in Wickford, Essex
• Blue Cross Hertfordshire Rehoming Centre in Kimpton
• Spirit of the Dog Rescue, an ADCH full member with Essex links

Always check the organisation’s current process, capacity and criteria before assuming they can take a dog immediately.

What Information Should You Prepare?

Whether you contact a rescue, breeder or potential new home, honesty is essential. A dog’s future home needs accurate information, not a sales pitch.

Prepare details about:

• Your dog’s age, breed or type, sex and neuter status
• Microchip details
• Vaccination history
• Medical history, including pain, allergies, medication or ongoing conditions
• Insurance details, if relevant
• Diet and feeding routine
• Exercise needs
• Sleep and settling habits
• Behaviour around adults, children, dogs, cats and livestock
• Any bite history, guarding, reactivity or fear-based behaviour
• Separation issues
• Travel, vet visit and grooming behaviour
• What your dog enjoys
• What your dog finds difficult
• What helps them cope

Please do not hide behaviour issues because you are worried nobody will take your dog. Hiding important information can put the dog, the new family and other people or animals at risk.

A dog who struggles is not “bad”. But they do need the right home, the right support and the right safety plan.

If You Have to Rehome Privately

Sometimes rescue spaces are limited and private rehoming may feel like the only option. If that happens, take it seriously and do not rush.

A safer private rehoming process should include:

• Several conversations, not just one message
• Questions about the person’s home, work pattern, experience and expectations
• Checking whether they have children, dogs, cats or other animals
• Discussing your dog’s needs honestly
• A home visit or video call where appropriate
• Meeting more than once
• A written agreement
• A plan for what happens if the placement does not work
• Updating the microchip details properly
• Sharing vet records and behaviour information

Be wary of anyone who:

• Wants to collect immediately
• Avoids answering questions
• Does not want to meet properly
• Dismisses behaviour concerns
• Says “I’ve had dogs all my life” but gives no detail
• Refuses to share information about their home
• Wants the dog for breeding
• Pushes you to make a quick decision

Kind people do not mind sensible questions. The right home will understand why you are being careful.

A Legal Note About XL Bully Type Dogs

If your dog is an XL Bully type dog, please check the current UK Government rules before making any decisions.

In England and Wales, it is illegal to sell, abandon, give away or rehome an XL Bully type dog. Rehoming organisations also cannot rehome them.

You can read the current government guidance here: GOV.UK XL Bully guidance.

Helping Your Dog Through the Transition

If rehoming is definitely happening, try to make the change as calm and predictable as possible.

• Send familiar bedding if appropriate
• Send their usual food
• Write down their routine
• Share their favourite treats, toys and enrichment
• Explain what helps them settle
• Explain what worries them
• Avoid overwhelming goodbyes
• Give the new home clear, honest information

Many dogs need time to decompress after moving home. They may not show their full personality straight away. They may sleep more, eat less, follow people around, seem unsettled, or struggle with routines at first.

This does not mean the new home has failed. It means the dog is adjusting.

What Not to Do When Rehoming a Dog

If you take nothing else from this article, please remember these points:

• Do not abandon your dog.
• Do not hide medical or behaviour history.
• Do not hand your dog to a stranger through a rushed Facebook post.
• Do not choose the first person who offers.
• Do not advertise your dog as “free to good home”.
• Do not ignore legal restrictions for banned types.
• Do not punish your dog because you are stressed or upset.

Rehoming should be about safety, honesty and welfare. Not speed.

Final Thoughts

Rehoming a dog can be one of the hardest decisions a person has to make. But a difficult decision is not automatically a wrong one.

If the dog’s needs cannot be safely met, rehoming may be the kindest option. If the issue is temporary, there may be support that helps the dog stay with their owner.

The most important thing is to avoid panic decisions. Ask for help early. Be honest. Use reputable organisations. Protect your dog from risky online rehoming routes.

And if behaviour is the reason you are considering rehoming, get support before making a final decision. Sometimes the right plan can make a huge difference. Sometimes it can help you see that rehoming is the safest option. Either way, you deserve guidance, not judgement.

Book a private dog training consultation before making a final decision

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