Giving up your pet
There are many things responsible pet owners must take into account when deciding whether to give up their pet. Read this carefully to ensure your pet has the best chance at a good future. Making the wrong decision could mean your pet's life is taken prematurely.
The best option...
Obviously, the best possible option is for your pet to stay with you. If the issue is behavioral or medical, please take them to the vet before deciding to remove them from your home. You might be surprised. There are many resources available that could help you address medical or behavioral challenges. If you are facing financial hardship, programs exist to help you while you get back on your feet. See our resources page for more information.
Family & Friends...
The second best alternative is to find your pet a home with a friend or family member who knows your pet well. You can continue to see your pet so that they don't feel abandoned, and you will be confident that they are being cared for. Be very careful when handing your pet over to a stranger you have met online or through acquaintances. Make sure that you check references to ensure the person is responsible and ask that they reach back out to you in the event that they can no longer care for your cat. In fact, it is best to document those stipulations in a contract to show you're serious about such things.
Rehome by Adopt-A-Pet.com & The Petco Foundation
This is a wonderful site which allows your pet to be seen by potential adopters that you otherwise wouldn't have contact with. For more information, click here.
Giving Your Pet to a Shelter is a LAST Resort
The last option is for you to turn your pet into a shelter. If you want to ensure your pet's life, you must do your research! Many shelters claim to be No Kill, but in reality they save far fewer than the bare minimum threshold of 90% to qualify as a No Kill shelter. Ask for data on all animals that came into the shelter in the prior year and ask whether the shelter would be willing to contact you if, for any reason, your animal was at risk of euthanasia. Shelters are not always transparent to the public about a pet's likelihood of survival. The sad truth is, many call themselves "Open Door", but they take in more animals than they can save and kill the excess. For a list of no-kill shelters in the state of Illinois, click here.
