If you need to rehome your dog, please know this:
You are not alone, and taking a little extra time now can mean a safer, happier future for your dog.
What usually works best:
✔️ Rehoming your dog directly to a new family is often faster than surrendering to a rescue
✔️ Friends, family, coworkers, and vetted online groups are usually the safest starting points
✔️ Honest descriptions (health, behavior, costs) protect your dog long-term
✔️ A reasonable rehoming fee helps prevent scams and unsafe placements
What to avoid:
❌ Giving your dog away for free to strangers
❌ Posting vague or misleading information
❌ Last-minute decisions made under pressure
If you follow the steps below, you greatly increase the chance your dog finds a stable, lifelong home.
👉 Please read the full guide before contacting a rescue.
Rehoming Checklist
Before you begin looking for a new home, take time to prepare your dog. This greatly improves safety and success.
Taking these steps helps protect your dog and increases the chance of a safe, permanent placement.
- Schedule a recent vet check (within the last 6–12 months)
- Ensure your dog is spayed or neutered
- Gather medical records and vaccination history
- Groom your dog and address basic hygiene needs
- Take clear, well-lit photos (indoors and outdoors)
- Write an honest description of behavior, health, and needs
- Be upfront about any medical or behavioral challenges
- Decide on a reasonable rehoming fee (helps deter bad actors)
- Prepare your dog’s routine details (feeding, meds, habits)
- Be ready to answer questions and screen potential adopters
Finding a Loving New Home for Your Dog: Doing It Right
At Northern California Bulldog Rescue, our mission is to educate the public about responsible dog ownership and the many rewards it brings. We are a small organization, and unfortunately, we do not always have the resources to take in owner-surrendered dogs or place them in new homes. If you are reading this page, we understand that you may be considering rehoming your dog, and we want to help guide you through that process responsibly.
Not long ago, you were excited to welcome a puppy or dog into your life. You never imagined that you might one day have to let him go. Even if your circumstances have changed and you can no longer keep him, your dog still depends on you to do what is best for him. Now more than ever, he needs you to make thoughtful, informed decisions about his future.
Your dog is your responsibility. He relies on you to protect his well-being and advocate for his best interests. Finding the right new home will take time, effort, patience, and persistence—but he deserves nothing less than your very best.
Rehoming a dog is a process that involves several important steps. Before moving forward, please take a moment to carefully read all of the information below.
Do You Truly Need to Give Up Your Dog?
There is an important difference between being forced to rehome your dog and simply wanting to “get rid of” him. If you are honest with yourself, the challenges you are facing will usually fall into one of two categories: people-related issues or dog-related issues. Understanding the true cause is the first step toward making the best decision for both you and your dog.
People-Related Issues
Moving
💡 Many people successfully keep their dog by expanding their housing search range.
Moving is one of the most common reasons people give up their dogs. While it can be challenging, affordable rental homes that allow pets do exist if you are willing to put in the effort to find them. Many people give up too quickly during their search. Expanding your search area may mean a slightly longer commute, but it could also mean keeping your dog as part of your family.
Before deciding to rehome your dog, exhaust all reasonable housing options. In many cases, persistence makes all the difference.
Not Enough Time
⏰Life changes can reduce the time you have for your dog, but many families find workable solutions with support, routine changes, or temporary help.
“We don’t have enough time for the dog” is another common concern. It’s worth remembering that as a puppy, your dog required far more of your time than he does now.
Take an honest look at what your dog truly needs: food, regular potty breaks, some exercise (often very minimal for older dogs), and—most importantly—simply being near you. Companionship matters more than constant activity.
If your dog is still a puppy and time is genuinely limited, consider whether other family members can help. Friends, neighbors, or hiring a dog walker—often a student at a reasonable cost—can also provide support. The high-energy stage does pass, but during that time, dogs need appropriate outlets for their energy to thrive.
Having a Baby
👼🏻Adding a baby to the family is a big adjustment, and with preparation and guidance, many dogs successfully adapt to the new routine.
When introduced properly, most dogs adjust well to the arrival of a new baby. Experts agree that preparing your dog well in advance and taking a few simple precautions can prevent friction, stress, and jealousy between your human baby and your furry one. Remember, your dog is accustomed to your attention and affection, and sudden changes can be confusing.
-
Some jealousy is natural when a new infant suddenly requires most of your time. Make a point to spend a few minutes each day giving your dog focused attention. Extra reassurance, praise, and an occasional treat can go a long way toward preventing behavioral issues.
-
Dogs thrive on routine. While your schedule will inevitably change, try to keep your dog’s daily routine as consistent as possible. If changes are unavoidable—such as limiting access to certain rooms or adjusting feeding locations—begin making those changes well before the baby arrives.
-
Routine provides comfort and security. Having familiar patterns to fall back on will help ease your dog’s anxiety during the first weeks after the baby comes home. You can also introduce new baby scents ahead of time. Allow your dog to sniff baby blankets or clothing, or apply baby lotion to your hands so he becomes familiar with the smell. Dogs rely heavily on scent, and early exposure helps them recognize the baby as part of the family.
-
When you arrive home with your newborn, greet your dog warmly and calmly. Let him see and gently investigate the new family member. From that point forward, include him in everyday baby activities as much as possible. Even hearing his name spoken during feedings or diaper changes helps him feel included. Many post-baby behavior issues stem from feelings of neglect rather than aggression.
With preparation, patience, and inclusion, most families can successfully navigate this transition and maintain a peaceful, loving household.
Allergies
🤧 Allergies can be challenging, but there are medical, environmental, and management options that often allow families to keep their dog safely.
Allergies are another frequently cited reason for giving up a pet, but they are not always a last resort. There are many strategies and effective products available that can significantly reduce allergy symptoms while allowing your family and your pet to live comfortably together. Your veterinarian can recommend products and solutions that may help.
Rehoming a pet should be a last option—not a physician’s first recommendation. Being told to give up a beloved pet often triggers intense emotional distress, especially in households with children. This is reflected in the large number of families who choose to keep their pets despite allergy diagnoses. Studies suggest that between 75% and 90% of people continue living with their pets after being advised otherwise.
If allergies are a concern, seek out an allergist who understands the emotional importance of pets and is willing to explore reasonable solutions before recommending rehoming. In many cases, with proper guidance and management, families can remain intact.
Dog-Related Issues
Behavior Concerns - Behavior problems feel overwhelming — but many are fixable.
If you brought your dog home as a puppy and he now has behavioral issues that feel unmanageable, it’s important to acknowledge that environment, training, and consistency all play a role in shaping behavior. While not every issue is caused by an owner, responsibility for addressing the problem ultimately rests with you.
At this point, there are four realistic options:
-
- Continue living with your dog as he is.
- Seek help to correct the behavior.
- Attempt to rehome the dog and pass the problem on to someone else.
- Choose humane euthanasia.
If you are reading this section, the first option is likely no longer realistic for you.
The third option—rehoming—is often what people hope will solve the problem. However, it is important to be honest about the reality of this choice. If you were searching for a dog and had the option of many well-adjusted dogs and puppies, would you knowingly choose one with behavioral problems? Most people would not. To make a dog with behavioral issues appealing to a new home, you would either need to resolve those issues first or withhold information—something that is unfair to the adopter and potentially dangerous for the dog.
Without a strong bond or commitment, a new owner who encounters unexpected behavior problems may choose euthanasia as their solution.
Aggressive behavior—especially possessiveness, guarding, or biting—poses serious risks. In addition to endangering others, these behaviors can expose you to significant legal liability.
The good news is that many common behavioral issues are highly treatable. With research, patience, and appropriate intervention, problems such as anxiety, jumping, pulling, or mild reactivity can often be improved or resolved. Professional trainers and behaviorists can provide valuable guidance and support.
For more serious behavioral concerns, especially those involving aggression, professional evaluation is essential. In some cases, intensive training may lead to rehabilitation, but this process can be time-consuming and costly.
If your dog has ever bitten a person, there are only two responsible options:
-
- Consult a qualified professional trainer or veterinary behaviorist to determine whether rehabilitation is possible, or
- If rehabilitation is not a viable or safe option, work with your veterinarian to humanely euthanize your dog.
Leaving a biting dog at a shelter places staff, volunteers, and the public at risk. Attempting to place such a dog as a “guard dog” often leads to neglect, abuse, or worse. These are not humane or responsible outcomes.
As painful as it is to consider, choosing humane euthanasia for a dog with a history of serious aggression is sometimes the safest and most compassionate decision—for your dog and for others.
The reality of re-homing your dog
Some of the information below is difficult, but it exists to protect your dog, other animals, and people.
The reality of shelters
By law, stray pets must be kept for a certain number of days for their owners to reclaim them. They may not be destroyed until that period is up. These laws don't protect dogs that have been given up by their owners. They may be destroyed at any time. Shelters don't want to euthanize all these animals but they don't have a choice. There just isn't enough room for all of them. Shelters today are so overcrowded that your dog could be euthanized the same day it arrives.
Do your research regarding the different shelters in your area and find out what their policies and procedures are for surrendered animals. Have a look at their website and see what kind of dogs they re-home. This will give you an indication as to what the chances of having your dog re-homed will be.
True "no-kill" shelters are few and far between and are often very selective about the dogs they bring in.
Rescues - breed-specific / all-breed groups are usually small groups of volunteers using their homes to foster dogs until they can find new homes. Like Nor Cal Bulldog Rescue, they often just do not have the resources to re-home your dog for you. Usually, they are at capacity or they have other dogs already on waiting lists.
If you are able to pursue the option of keeping the dog until you find a home, please read the next section on reviewing potential homes.
Screening potential homes
First call the breeder, rescue, or person you originally got your dog from. Responsible breeders will either assist you in finding a new home or take the dog back to re-home themselves. Many rescues have in their contracts that the dog is to be returned no matter how much time has passed.
If the dog can not be returned - evaluate your dog's adoption potential.
You need to be realistic - older dogs (older than 6 yrs), dogs with health issues, or leery of strangers usually take a long time to find a new home (possibly many months) - do you have the time to find the dog a proper home?
Make a list of what you feel is most important for your dog. Then get real. No home will be perfect of course, so you'll have to make compromises. What kind of people are you looking for? What will you be willing to compromise on? Once you have a firm idea of what you're looking for, it will be easier to plan your search and get the results you want.
Get your dog ready!
Your dog will be much more appealing if he's clean and healthy. First, take him to the vet for a full check-up - if he hasn't had one in the last 6 months/ his shots haven't been kept up to date.
If your dog isn't spayed or neutered, do it now! The only kind of "breeder" who'll be interested in your dog will be a puppy miller, backyard breeder, or broker. Brokers seek out unaltered purebreds for resale to puppy mills or research laboratories. That's not the kind of future you want for your dog.
Having the dog spayed/neutered is the best way to ensure that a family who wants a best friend and family member will adopt your dog. If you can't afford the cost of surgery, check with your vet or local shelter. Or, if the people are wanting to adopt your dog, they can pick him/her up at the vet’s office after the spay/neuter is complete.
Groom your dog - a bathed dog with trimmed nails and clean ears is much more desirable to potential adopters than an unkempt dog.
Set an adoption fee. You can't expect the new owner to pay the same price for your dog as they would for a brand-new puppy - but it helps ensure that they are really ready for the cost of dog ownership. A reasonable range might be between $100 - $200, which helps offset your advertising and veterinary costs. If they aren't willing to pay an adoption fee or complain that it is too high - will they spend the necessary dollars if the dog has a minor injury/illness?
ADVERTISE!
Word of mouth doesn't go very far. Don't be afraid to use classified ads to advertise your dog, flyers in local stores, or Craigslist.
Never include the phrase "free to good home" in your ad, even if you're not planning to charge a fee. This usually generates the wrong type of people interested in a dog, and often, they can say all the right things.
You can post your dog for adoption on the following websites:
adoptapet.com
Home-Home.org
rescueme.org
Screening callers
You are under no obligation to give your dog to the first person who says he wants him or her. You have every right to ask questions and choose the person you think will make the best new owner. Don't let anyone rush you or intimidate you.
First of all, get your applicant's name, address, and phone number. Deceitful people may call you from a phone booth or give you a non-existent address. Ask for information that you can verify.
Make sure all people in the home are in agreement with a new pup/dog coming into their home. If the potential adopter is renting be sure the landlord/apartment complex allows pets (confirm with the landlord/manager) - especially of a certain size/breed.
References
Get the phone number of their vet (if they've had pets before) and two other personal references. Call those references! Explain that John Doe is interested in adopting your dog and you want to verify care, annual vaccinations, and heartworm preventative.
Once you've chosen a family (or families) that you feel are good candidates, make an appointment for them to see the dog, and one for you to see their home.
There are some things you need to explain to the new family before they take your dog home: The dog will go through an adjustment period as he gets to know his new people, learns new rules and mourns the loss of his old family. Most dogs adjust within a few days, but others may take longer. During this time, the new family should avoid forcing the dog to do anything stressful - taking a bath, obedience training classes, meeting too many strangers at once, etc. - until he's had a chance to settle in. Tell them to take things easy at first and give the dog time to bond with them. The dog might not eat for the first day or two. Not to worry - he'll eat when he's ready. Some dogs temporarily forget their training. A well-housebroken dog may have accidents during the first few days in his new home. This isn't unusual. It is important that the new family understand that they are responsible for showing their new pet where it is appropriate to toilet. This may take time for the dog to learn the expectations and routine in his new environment.
Paperwork
Have the new owner sign an adoption contract with a waiver of liability. Keep a copy for your records. A contract will help to protect the dog and the waiver of liability helps to protect you. You don't have a crystal ball to predict what your dog might do in the future. Remember - a waiver of liability will not protect you if you have lied or misrepresented the dog to his new owners.
Tell the family they should call you if the adoption doesn't work out. Let them know you want to keep in touch and will call them in a few days to see how things are going. Tell them to call you if they have questions or problems. Be willing to take the dog back home if things don't work out the way you both expected.
Good luck in your search for a new home for your dog/puppy.
The effort that you put forth now will be worth it when you find a great home for him/her.