Need to rehome your dog in Los Angeles? VIDA helps families safely and compassionately place pets into loving homes while reducing shelter overcrowding.
🐾 Rehome Your Dog — VIDA Animal Alliance
1. When Life Changes: Understanding the Need to Rehome Your Dog
VIDA is a mission borne of the specific crisis resulting from the recent sweep of immigrant deportations in Los Angeles and the Southern California region. Los Angeles area shelters and rescues are already at capacity, and the introduction of a new category of wanted pets from stable homes into an already overburdened environment is catastrophic. Catastrophic not only to the families in crisis facing sudden deportation, but to the thousands of waiting pets in city and county shelters now pushed even further into obscurity by the influx of an unprecedented emergency class of otherwise viable pets now pushed into the shelter system.
2. VIDA’s Mission in Responsible Dog Rehoming
All animals are deserving of loving homes. VIDA exists to specifically aid the pets made homeless by deportations, and the shelters and organizations already on the ground serving them.
3. Why Choosing a Safe Rehoming Option Matters
VIDA understands that in emergency moments of dog rehoming, one of our first instincts may be to try to find a new forever home for our surrendered pet as quickly as possible.
Should this be the case, the best option is always to attempt to place the dog with a friend or family member with whom your pet is already familiar. This is because your pet will be in an environment that is at least partially familiar both to your pet and to the adoptive family, lessening the possibility of later relinquishment due to personality or lifestyle mismatches or unforeseen medical or maintenance costs.
In cases of detainment (either short- or long-term) that result in your release, your pet will more easily be able to be reunited with you. And finally, in the worst case scenario of permanent separation, you will be able to reliably stay updated on your pet’s adjustment to their new life, and stay in contact with them.
In cases where no friends or family are available to take responsibility for your pet, the second best option is to attempt to place them with a breed-specific or local rescue group. Rescue groups often have both the expertise and the volunteer assistance necessary to accurately determine the best adoptive family for your pet.
All rescue groups are overly full and underly funded — time, persistence, and in best cases a donation will give your pet the best chance of being accepted into a rescue group. VIDA urges the utmost caution in using online platforms such as Craigslist or Facebook to rehome your pet.
There is no way of vetting strangers on the internet, and in many cases the pets given away “free to a good home” end up being abused, neglected, used as bait for fighting dogs, or even used as food for other exotic animals. When other homes cannot be found, your last option may be relinquishing your pet to your local city or county shelter.
4. How VIDA’s Rehoming Support Works
VIDA provides personalized rehoming assistance, helping owners navigate surrender steps, connect with rescue partners, and ensure pets are safely transitioned into new, loving homes.
5. Essential First Steps Before Rehoming
To prepare your dog for the rehoming process — whether your pet goes to a family member, rescue group, vetted strangers, or a local shelter — there are preparations you can make to give your dog better odds of finding placement and giving them the best advantage in their new environment.
First, make sure your pet is up-to-date on all their vaccines. For dogs, this will include their rabies vaccine and a combination distemper, parvo and hepatitis shot (DAPP/DHPP) at minimum. For dogs that will be socializing or entering a kennel environment, include a Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccine.
Leptospirosis is another highly contagious virus on the rise, and we highly recommend vaccinating your dog against it.
A spay or neuter certificate will be necessary for rescues and shelters, and having these procedures done in advance increases their chance of placement.
A basic vet exam and behavioral assessment will help new families understand your dog’s temperament and needs, reducing the chance of return.
6. Preparing Your Dog for a New Home
In addition to vaccines and vet care, grooming, training refreshers, and behavior notes help your pet succeed.
- Grooming: A bath and nail trim can help your dog look adoptable and feel better.
- Training Refreshers: Brush up on “sit,” “stay,” leash manners, and crate training.
- Behavioral Notes: Be transparent about any sensitivities — fireworks, cats, children, etc. This honesty prevents mismatches and ensures a smoother transition.
7. Giving Up a Dog: How to Create an Effective Pet Profile
The best photos of your dog for rehoming will include your dog in your home. Try to take photos of your pets at their most relaxed and happy.
Write a personalized bio in first person — “Hi, I’m Luna!” — highlighting personality, favorite activities, and quirks. Mention any special needs or medical conditions clearly. Photos and bios showing love and care build trust and help your pet stand out to adopters.
8. Where to List or Register Your Dog for Rehoming
Share your pet’s profile through VIDA, LA Animal Services, and Los Angeles County Animal Care resources. VIDA’s team will help amplify your post and match it with vetted rescue partners and foster networks.
9. Safety Tips for Meeting Potential Adopters
If you choose to rehome your dog yourself, always meet in secure, public spaces.
Ask potential adopters about their pet history, living situation, and care plan.
Put your agreement in writing, including who will assume legal responsibility. Never hand over your pet without proper vetting.
10. Legal Considerations When Rehoming a Dog
Have a written adoption or surrender agreement clarifying ownership transfer.
If the placement is permanent, update your dog’s microchip contact information and ensure the new family is legally recognized as the owner.
11. Alternatives to Permanent Dog Rehoming
Consider temporary foster care through VIDA’s network, short-term placements, or dogretention programs that support owners through crisis while keeping pets at home.
13. Community Resources and Partner Shelters
City of Los Angeles — www.laanimalservices.com (888) 452-7381
Los Angeles County — animalcare.lacounty.gov
South County: (562) 940-6898
North County: (661) 940-4191
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14. FAQs About Dog Rehoming in Los Angeles
Q: How long will it take to rehome my dog
A:There’s no single answer. Immediate placements often require surrender to shelters, while rescues or foster placements can take days to months. Never abandon a pet — it’s illegal and inhumane.
In LA County and across SoCal, rehoming your dog or rehoming your pet can move faster by using foster-based rescue, home to home platforms, and local animal resources. Submit an application on adopt-a-pet.com or adopt-a-pet to find a new home, re-home responsibly, and find your dog a pet to find match, including in Hollywood and Glendale, when you need to find options or time to find the right fit. VIDA works with one of our animal care partners to guide owner surrenders through a humane and supportive process.
Q: Are there fees involved to adopt?
Shelters may charge a small fee, while rescues may ask for a donation to cover care costs.
If housing is the reason you plan to surrender your animal, remember companies often have blanket policies; try contacting landlords of smaller properties directly to keep your pet and keep your dog so families can keep their pets whenever possible. For owner surrenders, small donations help cover medical needs and care for one of our animal partners assisting in the rehoming process.
Q: Will my pet experience distress?
Rehoming is emotional for everyone, including your dog. Following the above steps helps your animal transition smoothly into a new forever home. VIDA’s goal is always the most loving placement possible.
Some pets feel anxiety at first, but a well-behaved new adopter and a foster-based rescue can provide someone to take care of your pet and match your pet to one supportive home, helping ensure a kinder transition.
15. Contact VIDA for Immediate Rehoming Assistance
For urgent rehoming help, contact VIDA Animal Alliance.
📧 Email: info@vidaallianceinitiative.org
Download our rehoming checklist and submit your rehome request form to begin the process.