Rehoming a Pet

Get in touch and we may be able to provide assistance with:

• Food and supplies for your pet through our Pet Pantry.
• Low-cost vaccinations and microchips at one of our monthly vaccine clinics.
• Grants to help pay for emergency veterinary care for your pet (eligibility requirements).
• Low-cost spay and neuter vouchers.
• Grooming assistance

• Facing eviction or need rental assistance? Contact ALIVE! at AEPP3@alive-inc.org or 703-837-9300. Español disponible.You may still have time to work something out before rehoming your pet. In Virginia, landlords must provide written notice of eviction and give you 21 days to rectify the situation and 30 days before they can physically remove you from the property. You have rights as a tenant and can reach out to local housing resources, including legal assistance and access to counselors who can help with landlord issues they can physically remove you from the property.
• City of Alexandria residents can contact the Office of Housing for more information on Housing Crisis Services and Eviction Prevention.
• We may be able to provide assistance through our emergency boarding Crisis Care Program.

• We can help with low-cost vaccinations and spay and neuter surgeries. Learn more about our low and no-cost clinics here. Find out more about our spay and neuter vouchers here.
• If your pet needs emergency veterinary care, you may be eligible for a small grant to help with the cost (for city residents with an income of less than 50k). Please contact us at community@AlexandriaAnimals.org or 703.746.4774 for more information.

• Here is a helpful resource on renting with pets.
• Consider asking your landlord if they are open to making an exception.
• Under the Fair Housing Act, if you have a disability-related need, you have the right to ask your landlord or property manager for a reasonable accommodation for an emotional support animal. You will need to talk with your medical provider to ask if they are able to provide an ESA prescription letter (be wary of websites promising to certify your pet as an ESA). Click here for more information.

• Reach out at behavior@alexandriaanimals.org or 703-746-5654. We can see if we can talk you through and provide advice on how to manage problem behaviors.
  
• Learn more about our Alexandria Animal Academy for low-cost behavior and training for dogs (scholarships available).
• Get a free week of training through the GoodPup app and 10% off future training.
• You can also check out lots of great free and low-cost resources on behavior and training here.

• There are lots of things you can do to help your pet adjust to a new baby!
  • Find a guide for preparing a dog for the arrival of a new baby here.
  • Find a guide for preparing a cat for the arrival of a new baby here.
• Family Paws also runs a Dog and Baby Support hotline at 1-877-247-3407.

Many people have to work long hours and feel they don’t have enough time to spend with their pet. Sometimes doing more in the time you do have to spend with your pet and leaving them with some things to keep them busy while you are gone is enough to make a difference. Often pets are better off in the homes where they are loved. Some things to think about:

• Hire Help: Can you get someone to drop in for your pet and give them a potty break in the middle of your work day? This could be a paid for service, but it could also be a neighbor, family member, or friend.
• Exercise, Play, Sniffing: Dogs who have had a good amount of exercise, playtime, and sniffing generally do better when left alone. Can you make a little more time before your work day to tire your dog out? Even 5-10 minutes of playing tug, chasing a flirt pole, or letting your dog have a good sniff on their walk can make a big difference. For very social dogs, you might see if you can find a playmate in your neighborhood, even once a week. For cats, even two sessions of 5 minutes playing with an interactive wand toy can make a big difference.
• Keeping Your Pet Busy: Dogs and cats who have plenty of mental stimulation are much less likely to get bored when left alone. (These activities can also be done when you are with your pet too). Consider leaving your dog with a stuffed kong or other toy that they have to work at to get their food or treats. You can even feed all their meals from puzzle toys. Even a rolled up towel can be a great food or treat puzzle. There are lots of simple DIY things you can do to give your dog some time to use their brain. For cats, making some changes to their environment so they have more places to climb, perch, and play gives them much more to do. Cats (and dogs) even enjoy watching a little TV with birds or other critters. Just google “videos for cats” or “dog TV” and there are lots of free online videos. Below some resources to get you started, but if you’re struggling with ideas, feel free to reach out.
  
  • DIY Enrichment for Dogs
  • More Canine Enrichment
  • Feline Enrichment

• Reach out to one of the following organizations who may be able to help find a foster for your pet while you are deployed:
  • PACT for Animals
  • Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet
  • Dogs on Deployment