We know itās a difficult decision to rehome your pet, and Central Missouri Humane Society is here to support you. Use the FAQs below as a step-by-step guide to find a new home for your pet in a safe and effective way.
If you are currently experiencing an emergency where a person or pet is in danger, you may call the shelter at 573-443-7387. The University of Missouri Veterinary Teaching Hospital and Horton Discovery Animal Hospital offer emergency veterinary services 24/7 if your pet needs immediate veterinary care. Please note that Central Missouri Humane Society does not operate any field services and cannot pick-up stray or owned animals. If you find a sick or injured animal in Columbia city limits, you may call Animal Control at 573-449-1888.
Rehoming Your Pet
The best way to rehome your pet is by using word-of-mouth and online resources (e.g. social media and websites like Rehome)Ā so your pet can transition from your home directly to their next home without entering the shelter. Why? Two main reasons:
- No pet likes to live in a cage at the shelter. Even though we strive to provide exceptional animal care,Ā all pets would rather be curled up on a couch next to a person rather than alone in a cage. The shelter is a very scary, loud, and stressful place for any pet.
- You know your pet better than anyone, which means you can select the best family for them! Because you know what your pet likes/dislikes, you can match them with the perfect lifestyle and new family.
It's easy! Start by asking family, friends and co-workers if they know anyone who is looking for a new pet.Ā It's important to start the process as soon as you can. Don't wait until it's an emergency/last minute. Ask people in person, but also leave a flyer so they can contact you if they know of someone or decide to adopt your pet themselves.
If you would like assistance advertising your pet,Ā we have a Courtesy Posting program for owners who are needing to rehome their pets. You can submit a profile to us to have your pet posted on our website for more exposure,Ā and we will collect applications for your pet and email them to you to help you find a well-matched new home for your pet. There is a $10 service fee to participate in this program.
Use the button below to have your pet posted on our website
Also, you can post your pet toĀ Rehome by Adopt-a-PetĀ to help you safely find a loving home.Ā All you need to do is to set up your pet's profile in less than 10 mins. Once complete, your pet's profile will be posted on Adopt-a-Pet.com and be seen by millions of visitors each month!
Otherwise you can post your flyer to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Next Door, and Craigās List. Donāt forget bulletin boards at church, work, veterinary offices, pet stores, restaurants and coffee shops.
Make colorful and creative advertisements highlighting special information about your pet.
ā¢ Be as descriptive as possible (name, weight, breed, gender, petās health, play habits, likes & dislikes).
ā¢ Tell a story. Many people write the story from the animalās perspective. (āHi, Iām Monty!)
ā¢ Include recent photo(s) or videos if on social media.
ā¢ Include your name and contact information (phone number / email address).
ā¢ Include the date you posted and date you need a home by.
When writing a profile for your pet who needs a new home, you might be tempted to share all the reasons why you are rehoming your pet or share all the ānegativeā information up front. Donāt! Always be honest but always remain positive. Think of the personality profile like your petās resume and try to put their best paw forward!
Itās important to remember that what might be negative to you may not matter to others. For example, a dog who does not like cats might make a perfect pet for someone with a cat allergy! Also, remember that the word āchildrenā has a different meaning to everyone. Someone might consider an 18-year-old a āchildā and see āno childrenā as a reason they cannot adopt, but your pet might only need a home without toddlers. Use the profile to showcase your pet, and then discuss more details with a potential adopter when they call.
Here are some tips to keep your profile positive!
Needs a lot of exercise...
Will make a great running buddy!Is aggressive towards children...
Would do great with a mature familyNeeds a lot of attention...
Loves to be around peopleDoesn't get along with cats/dogs...
Would love to be the center of attentionCentral Missouri Humane Society partners with GoodPup, an online community of trainers, to provide one-on-one, live training with you and your dog. You can try one week for free through our partnership. Sign up here.
You can also email our behavior support team for any training advice or visit our Pet Behavior Resources page.
If you wish to surrender your pet, please use the buttons below to contact our Pet Guardian Support Services team. Once your request is submitted, you will receive an email guiding you to the next steps of the process. Note that it can take up to 30 days until the date of your surrender appointment, and the fastest way to rehome your pet is by using the rehome service outlined above. Should you need to surrender your pet to Central Missouri Humane Society, surrender fees are waived for Boone County residents. Donations are always welcome as we rely on them to keep our doors open. For residents outside Boone County, there is a $30 fee for the first animal and $10 for each additional animal. Donations and fees help CMHS cover a small portion of the costs associated with caring for the pet. At the time of your surrender appointment, you will need to provide your Driverās License or photo ID and veterinary records for your pet.
Please note if you adopted within the past 30 days, you do not need to fill out the request. Please email [email protected] first.
* We only accept pets from outside of Boone County if space allows.