Where Is the Best Place to Rehome My Pet? A Practical Guide for New Zealand Pet Owners

If you’re asking where the best place to rehome your pet is, you’re already doing the right thing. You care enough to want them to go somewhere safe, not just anywhere. Too many people hand their pets over to shelters without thinking through the next steps-and end up feeling guilty when things don’t work out. But rehoming doesn’t have to be a last resort. With the right approach, you can find a loving, lasting home for your dog, cat, or small animal without sacrificing their well-being.

Start with your network

Don’t just say, “I need to rehome my cat.” Write a short story. Mention their age, personality, quirks. Did your dog howl every time the doorbell rang but calm down with a stuffed toy? Did your rabbit love to hop on the couch? These details matter. Someone out there is looking for exactly that kind of pet.

One Auckland woman rehomed her 12-year-old Labrador, Max, through her book club. She posted a photo of him napping in a beanbag chair with the caption: “He snores louder than my husband, but he’s never chewed a shoe.” Within 48 hours, she had three serious applicants. One was a retired teacher who’d lost her own dog last year. Max is now happily napping on a sunlit porch in Henderson.

Use reputable rehoming platforms

SPCA Rehome lets you upload photos, videos, and even a short video interview with your pet. You can specify preferences: “No other pets,” “Needs a fenced yard,” “Must be home during the day.” This cuts down on bad matches and reduces the chance your pet gets returned.

Other options include Adopt-a-Pet NZ and Rescue Me NZ. Avoid general marketplaces like Trade Me unless you’re prepared to vet people yourself. Scammers and impulse buyers are common there. One Wellington man adopted a senior cat from Trade Me, only to return it two weeks later because “it didn’t purr enough.” That kind of thing hurts the whole system.

Shelters are not the default

Shelters are great for pets with medical needs, behavioural issues, or those who’ve been abandoned. But if your pet is healthy, well-behaved, and social, they’re better off going directly to a home. Shelter stays increase stress, reduce adoptability, and cost taxpayers thousands per animal.

That said, if you’re in a crisis-moving overseas, losing your home, facing serious illness-shelters can help. Call ahead. Ask if they take owner-surrendered pets. Some, like the Auckland SPCA, have waiting lists. Others, like Animal Welfare League Canterbury, offer temporary foster support while you find a permanent home.

Prepare your pet for the transition

• Update their ID tag and microchip details with your new contact info (even if you’re giving them away). This is critical-if they get lost during the transition, you want them found.
• Collect their favourite blanket, toy, or food bowl. Familiar scents reduce anxiety in new homes.
• Give the new owner a 3-day supply of their current food. Sudden diet changes cause upset stomachs and can lead to rejection.
• Write a simple “Pet Profile” sheet: feeding times, vet contacts, medication schedule, favourite treats, and any quirks (e.g., “hates vacuum cleaners,” “loves car rides”).

One Christchurch vet told me about a dog named Luna who was surrendered to a shelter after her owner passed away. She’d never been outside without a leash. The shelter staff spent two weeks helping her learn to walk on grass. Three months later, she was adopted by a family with a quiet garden-and now she’s the one who leads them on walks.

Screen adopters like you’d screen a babysitter

Ask questions:

• Do you have a fenced yard? (If your pet isn’t leash-trained.)
• Have you owned pets before? What happened to them?
• What’s your daily routine? Will they be alone for 8+ hours?
• Are you okay with vet bills? (Even healthy pets need checkups, vaccines, and occasional emergencies.)
• Do you have other pets? How do they get along?

Watch how they interact with your pet. Do they kneel down to their level? Do they ask about their history? Or do they just say, “He’s cute. I’ll take him.”

Offer a trial period. Two weeks. Let them take your pet home with you nearby. If things go wrong, you can step in. Many adopters are nervous and need time to adjust. A trial reduces panic returns.

Stay involved-just a little

One woman in Dunedin rehomed her cat, Miso, to a couple who lived near the beach. After six weeks, she emailed to ask if they’d send a photo. They did. Miso was sunbathing on their porch, tail curled around his paws. The couple wrote: “He doesn’t meow anymore. He just stares at the ocean like he’s thinking about it.” That photo made her cry. And it made her feel at peace.

Don’t demand updates. Don’t show up unannounced. But if the new owner is open to it, a simple message like “Hope Miso’s still loving his naps on the rug” goes a long way.

What if nothing works?

If you’ve tried your network, posted on three platforms, spoken to three shelters, and still have no leads, it’s time to consider a professional rehoming service. In New Zealand, Animal Welfare League and SPCA offer paid rehoming assistance. For $150-$250, they’ll take your pet, vet them, update their microchip, run a behavioural assessment, and place them in a pre-screened home. It’s not free, but it’s far better than surrendering to a crowded shelter.

And if you’re considering euthanasia because you think there’s no other option-please don’t. There is always another option. Talk to your vet. Ask for help. There are people who want to support you, not judge you.

Final thought: You’re not giving up

Every pet deserves a home where they’re not an afterthought. You’re not abandoning them. You’re giving them a second chance.