Be Warned. This is what can happen to your pet if you fail to do a homecheck!

This is D, She was saved in the UK after being used as a bait dog.....FREE TO A GOOD HOME can mean pain and death for your pet at the hands of dog fighters....DON'T advertise them for free or even sell them on sites like Gumtree....if you need to 'get rid' of your pet for any reason read the advice below.

Every year, many animals are sold or simply given away to strangers on internet sites or in local newspapers, with their owners believing, naively, that they have gone to a good home.

As the photograph above clearly shows, this is often not the case.

First of all, ask people you know, family and friends, if they can offer your pet a home.

Contact rescue centres (check online or in yellow pages for details). They may not have space, but will be happy to offer advice and can put your pet on their books. They may even be able to put you in touch with someone looking for a dog such as yours (you must however do a homecheck, they will advise you on this.) A rescue centre can also offer advice on behavioural problems or refer you to a behaviourist.

Put ads in vets surgeries (you should put a date on this) People who exploit or abuse animals rarely visit vets. You need to neuter or spay your pet first as this will deter puppy farmers/backyard breeders, who would use your pet as a puppy machine, where it would be kept in a cage possibly for the rest of its life. You must do a homecheck.

The final option, if at all possible is to consider keeping your pet and trying to work through any problems. Sometimes, with a little knowledge, seemingly insurmountable problems can be easily sorted. For example an allergy in the family can be addressed by simply moving the animal outside. This is because it is the hairs on the soft furnishings in the home that can trigger the problem. Providing your pet has adequate space and shelter, and is walked daily, this is a good option. Barking and digging, usually caused by boredom, can be dealt with effectively by making sure your dog gets lots of exercise and by providing toys, such as a kong from your local pet store, which can be filled with food and will keep your pet occupied for hours.

Quite often simply neutering/spaying your pet will address many other issues.

Whatever your decision, be aware of the dangers. Rehome only as a last resort. You owe it to your pet to rehome responsibility.

HOMECHECKS

Take your pet along to the potential new home.

Ideally the new owner should be willing to have the dog in the home.

There should be a garden, securely enclosed, so the dog cannot get out into traffic.

There should be a suitable kennel for times when the dog wants/needs to be outside.

You need to be satisfied that the dog will be walked daily and by which member of the family.

It is very important that you have a good feeling about the family. Do not leave the dog there if you have any doubts.

If you do. Simply say that you have other people to see, and you may be in touch.

If you do find the right home, you should advise the new owners that the dog must be kept on the lead for the first few weeks when out for a walk, as it may try to find its way home. You should keep in touch with them and be allowed to contact them for the first few weeks to ensure that all is well.

Then you will know you have done your very best for your pet.

Good luck.