At Van Buren County Animal Control, we understand that pets are family. Pets are a lifelong commitment and while unfortunately, situations change finding a new happy home for your dog is the most responsible way to handle the situation. Be aware that rehoming is not always instant! If you find yourself in this difficult position, animal shelters should be your last resort. Shelters should be reserved for stray and abused animals. You are your dog’s best advocate! You know more about them than a shelter and there are several options available to help your dog avoid the stress of shelter life:

• Home To Home™ is an online interactive pet placement platform that helps pet owners find new homes (permanent or temporary) for their pets. Home To Home does not charge adoption or rehoming fees.
• Rehome by Adopt a Pet helps you safely find a loving forever home for your pet using the Adopt-a-Pet.com platform that is seen by millions of visitors each month. *Use coupon code RCXHAQTL2U8AD8Z to waive the listing fee for Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.
• Get Your Pet from one good home to another is an online pet adoption community where people who want to adopt a pet connect with people who need to rehome a dog or cat.
• Local Humane Societies and the SPCA can take in pets when space is available at their facilities. They will have you complete their intake process based on space. Contact them for their process as each one is different.. 

You can also increase your pet’s ability to be adopted by having them spayed/neutered, groomed and vaccinated. 

Tell your friends, family, coworkers and social networks that your dog is looking for a new home. You can also speak with your vet about the need to rehome your pet. The more people who know you need help, the better your chances of finding your pet a new family. Be honest about their behavior and quirks because those details are important in finding them the best fit for a new home. Never wait until the last moment to seek help or a new home for your pet. This creates an unnecessary stress for everyone involved. Stressed pets do not exhibit their ‘normal’ behaviors and may act out.

No one knows your dog better than you do! If you know that you need to find your dog a new home start looking immediately!! Keep in mind that choosing to rehome a pet does not have instant results. It can take some time, which is why starting the search early is so important. While interviewing potential adopters, be sure to ask questions to identify a home that will be a good fit for your dog and their needs.

Alternatives & Resources

If you would like to keep your pet, but are struggling to address medical concerns, take a look at some of the resources below. Resources for:Financial Assistance for Veterinary Care

NATIONAL AGENCIES

**Bow Wow Buddies Foundation
Grants up to $2500 for serious conditions, excluding preventative care, spay/neuter surgeries, dental work, ongoing treatments or end-of-life care. Online application required.
bowwowbuddies.com

FluffyRX
Discount card for prescription pet medication.
fluffyrx.com

Frankie’s Friends
Grants up to $1500 for emergency and specialty medical conditions that already have a diagnosis and treatment plan in place. Online application required.
888-465-7387
frankiesfriends.org

**The Mosby Foundation
Provides grants for dogs on a one-time basis for critical, non-emergency treatment that has not yet been performed. Online pre-application required.
540-885-2260
themosbyfoundation.org

Onyx & Breezy Foundation
Grants for veterinary care for families experiencing hardship. Must apply to Care Credit first. 
onyxandbreezy.org

PAWS 4 A Cure
Up to $500 grants for non-routine veterinary care for families experiencing hardship. Must apply to Care Credit first.
paws4acure.org

Pet Assistance, Inc. 
Grants for longtime pet owners whose companion animals have been diagnosed with an urgent or life-threatening medical issue. Online application required.
petassistanceinc.org

The Pet Fund
Grants for non-emergency, non-basic veterinary care, such as cancer treatment, heart disease or other chronic conditions. Email before applying.
info@thepetfund.com
thepetfund.com

Pets of the Homeless
Provides pet food, grants for urgent veterinary care and other support services for homeless pet families.
775-841-7463
petsofthehomeless.org

RedRover
Grants around $250 provided for urgent veterinary care. Must have a diagnosis and treatment plan already in place. Online application required.
916-429-2457
redrover.org

**Funding is available for dogs only

LENDING AGENCIES

CareCredit
Credit card company for healthcare and veterinary care.
800-677-0718
carecredit.com

LendUp
Instant decision on loans of up to $250 for 30 days, and proven borrowers up to $1,000.
lendup.com

Scratchpay
Web-based veterinary financing service.
scratchpay.com

Wells Fargo Health Advantage
Credit card for vet care (apply online).
retailservices.wellsfargo.com