Should I Rehome My Dalmatian?
Make sure it is necessary for the best interest of the dog and you or your family. There are many things that can prompt the rehoming of a dog. If you are considering rehoming your dog, here are some things to consider:
Is your dog really adoptable?
- Has the dog bitten people or attacked other dogs? If yes, has the dog been evaluated by a training specialist to assess the likelihood of this happening again? A dog who is truly aggressive should be euthanized. Be sure to be totally honest about the dog’s temperament.
- Does the dog have serious health issues that require ongoing medical treatment and special care needs? Some people may feel sorry for the dog and think they can provide adequate care, but the involvement of time and money may become too much, and they will pass the dog off to another home or to the pound.
Family needs: Before you look for a new home, please make sure the whole family is aware of what is going to happen.
- If there are children involved, explain to them why you think the dog should be placed, and make sure they understand the issues.
- Have your circumstances truly changed to the point that you cannot care for the dog from a time and/or financial perspective?
- Does your dog like other dogs? cats? children?
- Does your dog need a fenced yard?
- Does your dog have a very high energy level?
- Does your dog need to go out in the middle of the day?
- Does your dog have trouble staying alone?
- Does your dog need special treatment or medication?
Make a list of these requirements now. It will be invaluable to you later as you, your breeder and/or a rescue organization seek the right home.
Consider whether you personally know anyone who would be a good home for your dog based on everything you know about the person, their family, their home, and your dog. If you don’t know the person well, you are taking a risk in rehoming the dog yourself without researching them thoroughly. Click here for suggested research.
Medical Preparation:
If you find a home for your dog yourself, it is important to have your dog spayed or neutered before placement. Without this, you run the risk of the new owner harming your dog by using the animal to breed indiscriminately or selling the dog to a breeding farm/puppy mill. Contact your local humane society or animal shelter for information on low-cost spay neuter programs. Your veterinarian may also have information on such programs. One national program is Spay USA. Update shots and other medical care. Give your dog the best possible start in his/her new home.
If your breeder is no longer available, or does not help you, please reach out to one of the Dalmatian rescue organizations nearest to you outlined on the map on the DCAF Rescue Organizations page. A Dalmatian specific rescue is always the best choice because their people love the breed, know and understand the breed, and will be best equipped to find the right home for your dog. Rescue organizations may be able to send perspective new homes to you or accept your dog into their care if necessary, until a suitable home is found. If there is no Dalmatian rescue group in your area, ask your vet or local Kennel Club for a referral to another rescue group. They may be willing to answer your questions about the process of placing your pet, even if they don’t do Dals specifically.
