Resources — Rehoming Assistance Program
BARK rescues dogs from euthanasia every day from shelters in the Richmond area. Our kennels and foster homes are always running at full capacity and space for owner surrenders or stray dogs is severely limited. BARK volunteers created the Rehoming Assistance Program as a way to help owners who need to find another home for their pet and citizens who rescue abandoned dogs and wish to help them find forever homes.
If you are interested in adopting a dog that is listed ‘as a Courtesy’, please complete a Rehoming Program Adoption Application.
If you have FOUND a dog or need to rehome your family pet:
- If you have FOUND a dog: Contact your local shelter to report the dog so that if anyone is looking for the dog you can be contacted. Then Wait 5–10 days (5 days for dog found with a collar and/or tags; 10 days for dog found with no collar or tags) before contacting us to begin providing rehoming assistance. These are current legal shelter guidelines. If you need a dog crate to assist you in fostering the dog, we may be able to loan you one.
- Ensure the dog’s health is good. All dogs in the Rehoming Assistance Program are required to be spayed/neutered, heartworm free (and on monthly preventive), and up to date on vaccinations appropriate to the dogs age. If you found a dog, many vets are willing you with basic medical costs. We have listed some low-cost Spay/Neuter options on our Resources page. Dogs over 6 months will need: rabies vaccine, distemper shot, heartworm test & spay/neuter. Puppies may need additional vaccinations. We also recommend that rescued stray dogs are wormed.
- Take 3 AMAZINGLY CUTE digital photos of the dog. The better the photo, the quicker the dog will find a home! TIPS: Get a friend to help. Take the dog outside for a LONG walk or game of tug to wear off any nervous energy. Take the photos outside (no flash = no glow-eyed dog). Have some treats or a squeaky toy—or someone who likes to make funny noises (dogs LOVE funny noises!). Capture that moment of perked ears and a doggy smile! Also try to get one shot of the overall body style and size of the dog. BARK, or any other canine rescue group, will need the photos to help show the community the cute dog looking for a new home!
- Complete the Rehoming Assistance Application to tell us all about the doggy needing a new home.
- Understand that Rehoming takes time. If you need to rehome your pet or wish to advocate for an abandoned dog, it is best to ‘guess-timate’ anywhere from 1–6 months to find a loving new home. If you are not able to continue temporarily caring for and fostering the dog while the rehoming process is underway, please try to locate someone who can—as this will help immensely in the rehoming process. Your success in rehoming your dog or advocating for an abandoned dog will depend on the time and effort you can make to help the dog. At BARK, we commend your willingness to take action and help a dog in need and will support you in your efforts as much as we can.
NOTE: If you are rehoming your pet due to a behavioral problem (housebreaking, excessive barking, jumping, food/toy aggression, digging etc.), please contact a professional dog trainer/behaviorist who has experience in behavioral issues and have her/him meet & assess your dog. Many undesirable behaviors can be corrected with the help of a good trainer/behaviorist who understands the emotions and psychology of a canine. It will also be easier to find another loving and safe home for your dog if you address the behavioral issue(s). Most training facilities and individuals will come up online under a Google search for “VA dog training.” We also have some listings on our Resources Page. If you have not been able to resolve a serious behavioral problem such as aggression, we will need the input of a professional to determine what type of home would be safest for the dog and his/her new owner(s).
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