Rehoming Your Pet: A Compassionate Guide for Pet Owners

At Metro East Humane Society (MEHS), we know that surrendering or rehoming a pet is one of the most difficult decisions a family can make. Sometimes, life circumstances, such as a move, financial strain, health challenges, or a change in family dynamics, create situations where keeping a beloved animal is no longer possible. We want you to know that you’re not alone. Our team is here to help guide you through this process with compassion and care, ensuring that every pet has the best possible chance at a safe and loving future. We also know that conversations around rehoming can stir up strong emotions. It’s easy to feel frustration or sadness when seeing a pet in need of a new home, but every situation has a story we may not fully see. At MEHS, we encourage our community to lead with kindness and compassion toward both pets and their people. Rehoming a pet is often a deeply painful and selfless decision made with the animal’s best interest at heart. No one should be shamed for trying to do what’s right for their pet.

Before You Surrender Your Pet: Explore Every Option 

Before moving forward with surrendering your pet, it’s worth exploring whether there might be other solutions that allow you to keep your companion at home.

• Behavioral or training challenges? MEHS can connect you with local trainers who specialize in positive reinforcement and behavior modification. You can also explore our behavior and training support resources here.

• Financial struggles? MEHS offers several programs that can help:

  • Low-Cost Spay & Neuter Program

  • Low-Cost Vaccine & Microchip Clinic

  • MEHS Pet Food Pantry

Families facing unexpected hardship may also find support through our Resources for Pet Owners in Crisis guide. This resource includes national and regional programs that help with pet food and supplies, temporary foster care, domestic violence situations, housing challenges, medical emergencies, and support for military families facing deployment. You can explore the full list of assistance programs here. We also encourage you to explore pet-friendly housing options before giving up your pet. The National Dog Inclusive Rental Database provides a list of pet-friendly properties nationwide.

If your housing does not allow pets, remember that fair housing laws require landlords to accommodate emotional support animals (ESAs) and service animals when proper documentation is presented. To learn more about qualifying for an ESA letter, visit Paws for Patrick or Pettable. For Illinois residents, housing providers are required to consider ESA requests when proper documentation from a licensed mental health professional is provided.

Whenever possible, we strongly encourage pet owners to try rehoming their pets on their own before turning to a shelter. While shelters provide lifesaving care, the shelter environment can be very stressful for animals. Even with dedicated staff and volunteers providing enrichment and love, shelters are unfamiliar, busy places that can be overwhelming, especially for pets already experiencing anxiety. Rehoming directly from one home to another often leads to an easier transition and less stress for the animal.

Responsible Pet Rehoming Options 

If you’ve determined that rehoming is the best path forward, there are safe and effective ways to find your pet a new home:

• Use Adopt-a-Pet’s Rehome Program. This free resource allows you to create a profile for your pet on the same platform MEHS uses for adoptions, connecting you with potential adopters you can vet yourself.

• List your pet on Home to Home. This site helps you safely rehome your pet directly to another loving family.

• Share your story. Social media can be a powerful tool. Ask friends, family, and your community to share your post to help find your pet a new loving home.

• Join local rehoming groups on social media. Community-based pet rehoming groups can help you reach responsible adopters in your area.

• While your pet is listed for rehoming, you can also continue reaching out to local rescue organizations for possible placement. A directory of many St. Louis area rescues can be found here: https://stlfco.org/rescue/.

• Reach out to your pet’s original rescue or shelter. Most rescues include a return policy and will take animals back if rehoming becomes necessary. If your pet is adopted from Metro East Humane Society, we will ask that you exhaust all other options before requesting a return.
  

If you rehome your pet independently, remember to transfer veterinary records and update the microchip information with the new owner’s contact details to ensure your pet can always be identified and returned home if lost.

When Surrendering Your Pet to MEHS

If rehoming independently isn’t possible, MEHS can accept owner surrenders as space allows. Please note:

• MEHS cannot accept animals with a reported history of aggression.

• As a small, limited-admission shelter, we prioritize animals at risk of euthanasia in local animal control facilities.

• There is a surrender fee to help cover the cost of care, housing, and veterinary services:

  • Adult Cat (4+ months): $100

    • Reduced to $75 with proof of rehoming efforts

    • Reduced to $25 if you’re willing to foster until adoption

  • Adult Dog (4+ months): $150

    • Reduced to $100 with proof of rehoming efforts

    • Reduced to $50 if you’re willing to foster until adoption

  • Puppy or Kitten Litter (2 or more): $200

    • Reduced to $150 with proof of rehoming efforts

    • Reduced to $100 if you’re willing to foster until adoption

    • Fee covers the cost of spaying the mother

Once you submit a surrender form, you can expect an email response from the MEHS team within three business days while we evaluate your request and available space. To begin the surrender request process, visit: https://www.mehs.org/surrender. If you need help exploring resources or have questions about your specific situation, our team is always happy to point you in the right direction before surrender becomes necessary.

Compassion Above All 

We understand this is an incredibly emotional decision. Rehoming your pet does not mean you’ve failed. It means you’re making the most responsible and compassionate choice for your pet’s future. At MEHS, we are committed to supporting both pets and their people. Whether you need advice, resources, or a safe place for your pet to land, our team is here to help guide you through the process with care and understanding.

If you see someone in your community trying to rehome a pet, offering encouragement, sharing resources, or helping spread the word can make a life-changing difference. Life can change quickly, and families sometimes face impossible choices. Leading with empathy, for both pets and their people, helps ensure animals stay safe and cared for, no matter the path forward.

If you’d like to help other animals in need, consider donating, volunteering, or fostering. Every act of kindness helps us continue improving the lives of people and pets in our community.