Rehoming Your Pet
If you’re considering rehoming your pet, we know it isn’t an easy decision. Our goal is to give you clear, practical steps so you can do what’s best for your pet and your household.
Step 1: Make Sure Rehoming Is the Right Step
Sometimes, the issue pushing you toward rehoming can be managed with support. Before moving forward, consider whether any of these resources might help:
- Behavior guidance
- Temporary support or boarding options
- Veterinary assistance programs
- Training referrals
- Short-term life changes that may improve soon
If you’re unsure, reach out and we can talk it through and offer you possible resources.
Step 2: Gather Your Pet’s Information
Whether you try to rehome privately or through a shelter, having accurate information ready makes the process smoother and increases your pet’s chances of a good match.
Collect:
- Vet records and vaccination history
- Rabies certificate
- Microchip number (if available)
- Spay/neuter status
- Current medications and health concerns
- Behaviour notes (good and bad)
- Daily routine, energy level, triggers
- A few clear photos
Honest information helps set your pet up for success.
Step 3: Try to Rehome Your Pet Yourself
Private rehoming is often the fastest and least stressful option, especially right now when shelters all across Ontario are juggling full kennels and long waitlists.
Tips for safe rehoming:
- Start with trusted people: friends, family, coworkers.
- Use local community and pet groups for networking.
- Share clear photos and honest details about behaviour, health, and routine.
- Screen people by asking about their experience, lifestyle, other pets, and landlord rules.
- Meet adopters in a public place.
- Keep proof of adoption for your records.
Step 4: Request to Surrender to HSKL
If private rehoming isn’t working, you can request to surrender your pet to HSKL.
To request to surrender a pet, contact us at:
info@hskl.ca | 705-878-4618
Good to know:
- We do not accept walk-in surrenders; all surrenders are by appointment.
- We are currently not taking surrenders from outside of Kawartha Lakes
- Due to capacity limits, we often operate with a waitlist.
- Emergencies and safety cases take priority.
Surrender forms must be submitted to be added to the waitlist.
Here are the links to download the forms
- Rehoming Fees: Fees help cover veterinary care, medications, food, microchipping, and spay/neuter surgery if required.
- Dog: $100.00
- Litter of puppies $150
- Cat: $50.00
- Litter of kittens $75
- Small Animals $15
We’ll get back to you as soon as we can. Wait times vary.
Please note that being on the waitlist does not guarantee we can accept your pet
Step 5: Contact Other Rescues and Shelters
Right now, many shelters and rescues, including HSKL, are full or working from waitlists. Reaching out to multiple organizations gives you the best chance of finding help sooner.
How to Search for Rescues and Shelters
1. Use Google
Search terms like:
- “animal shelter near me”
- “Humane Society Ontario”
- “dog rescue Ontario”
- “cat rescue Ontario”
2. Search Facebook
Most rescues post intake updates only on Facebook. Try searching by area or species.
3. Check Petfinder or Adopt-a-Pet
Look for local organizations and follow their intake instructions.
4. Call nearby municipal shelters and humane societies
Even if they’re full, they might know who has space that week.
5. Look for breed-specific or small animal rescues
These can be quicker routes if your pet matches their focus.
6. Repeat your search weekly
Availability changes constantly.
Expect intake questions, waitlists, and varied reply times, as a lot of rescues are volunteer-run groups.
Step 6: Plan Your Next Steps
Once you’ve contacted HSKL and other organizations:
- Keep an eye on your email and voicemail.
- Continue outreach while you wait.
- Update us if your situation changes.
- Keep your pet safe and secure in the meantime.
