It’s a sad fact of life, but sometimes doggos get sick. It’s a cruel reality that sounds like something from a dystopian novel. And an even harsher reality is the fact that you might not be equipped to look after them. You could be too busy with work, not have the experience, or don’t have the means to offer them the care they need.
There are loads of reasons why dogs need rehomed that might not have anything to do with their condition. But you will need to think about the process. If you are considering rehoming your pet and they have a long-term medical condition, you will have to think carefully about finding a suitable space for them. Read on to find out what you need to consider when rehoming a dog with a medical condition.
What type of home will your dog need?
Due to the nature of your dog’s condition, it’s likely they will need some particular living conditions. For example, your dog might need more exercise, or an enclosed space to roam, which is where a garden would come in handy. Think about how much space they will need or take up. A German Shepherd isn’t going to be too comfortable in an apartment for example, where they don’t have access to a garden in a small space.
Also, if they’re used to the quiet of the country, they might be startled by the noises of a city street at night. Take into consideration the environment your dog will be in.
Who will be in the home?
A big part of whether your dog with thrive in this new home is who will be in there. Can your dog handle children in its condition? Do they have separation anxiety, would they benefit from someone being nearby a lot, like someone working from home, or someone who is willing to train it out of them?
Dogs who need more exercise due to their condition might benefit from someone who is active themselves. They can take their dog on a run or cycle, rather than a walk. Other dogs that require rest as their treatment might benefit from staying with an older owner, since neither will tire out the other.
The condition your dog is suffering from is also a factor. Would they be better off with a young couple, rather than a large family, so that they can focus on the health of the dog in a quieter environment?
What extra requirements will your dog have?
Think about anything you are doing for your dog right now that is supposed to help their condition. Slower walks, nutrients mixed in with their food, etc. Let your dog’s potential new owners of anything that has been recommended or you believe is helping your dog. If your dog suffers from separation anxiety you can mention that it is something to be aware of that, that either needs trained out of them or worked around.
You might also suggest that the dog’s new owner look into specialist pet insurance, for example Petsure offer pet insurance for pre-existing conditions along with vet fee cover up to £15,000.
Give them all the information you have
You might also consider writing up a document for these potential new owners to save them asking a million questions and allowing them something to refer back to. List out what food the dog eats, and their routine, the activities they like and dislike, how they are with other dogs, cats, children etc., their vet records and records of any operations or medication, whether they’ve been neutered, dates of vaccinations, their microchip number, etc