Home To Home Direct Adoption

What is it?

The Home To Home program is a unique, direct-to-adopter tool for pet owners that need to rehome an animal. In just a few simple steps, pets can find a loving new home without ever entering a shelter. It’s free to use for both pet owners and adopters, and it gives animals needing a new home the best of both worlds: their current owner can find the best fit, and their adopter can learn all about their personality and preferences firsthand. It’s a win-win for pets!

Home To Home was created by the Panhandle Animal Shelter in an effort to reduce the number of animals being relinquished to their shelter. They’ve shared this program with other shelters that want to do the same. Homeward Pet Adoption Center has joined this national program, now being utilized by shelters and rescues all over the United States.

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The benefits!

Less stress for the pet! Because these pets move directly to their new home, they never have to enter the shelter. Regardless of the facility or quality of care, a shelter is a strange and unfamiliar place for any pet.
More space in the shelter! This allows us to use our limited shelter space and resources to take in animals that have no other options. We may be able to rescue more animals at risk of abuse or neglect, and pull animals from other shelters to avoid overcrowding and euthanasia.
Adopters get more information! Owners are able to tell adopters all about their pet’s personality and preferences first hand. Adopters get to see the pet’s behavior in a more natural environment.
We can help other animals! Although our shelter only houses cats and dogs, any species (as long as they are legal to own in Washington State) can be rehomed through Home To Home.

How much does it cost?

Home To Home is free to use for both owners and adopters, and no money should ever exchange hands. If you are offered money or asked to pay fees for any adoption or related activity, please contact us immediately. All rehoming submissions are reviewed by our shelter staff before being posted on the Home To Home site. This prevents any misuse of the program by anyone that may be breeding pets for profit.

How can I adopt a pet through Home To Home?

Through the Home To Home program, prospective adopters will contact the current pet owner directly to learn more about a pet they may be interested in. Because these pets are not in our shelter, they are not evaluated by our staff. We have no additional information about them, and we are unable to make any guarantees about their health, behavior, or temperament. Any agreement of adoption will be made solely between the owner and adopter. Compassion for both the animals and people in our community is one of the core values of Homeward Pet—we ask that you show respect and empathy when communicating with anyone using the Home To Home program.

If you are interested in adopting a pet through Home To Home, please visit homewardpet.home-home.org. There, you’ll be able to view all of the pets currently available for adoption in their current homes, and connect directly with their owners.

If you need some tips on what to consider and discuss with a pet owner, you’ll find some sample questions to start your conversation on the Home To Home national website.

How can I rehome my pet through Home To Home?

Rehoming your pet is a difficult decision and we understand you may find yourself in a situation where you feel that you have no other options. Before making that decision, please review our Pet Retention Resources for assistance with many of the challenges that cause pets to be rehomed or surrendered. Whether you’re experiencing financial challenges, moving or housing issues, allergies, house soiling, behavioral issues, or one of many other challenges, we may be able to help you find a solution that allows you to keep your pet.

If you do need to rehome your pet through the Home To Home program, please visit homewardpet.home-home.org to get started.

Once your Home To Home profile is submitted, it will be reviewed by a member of our staff before posting on the Home To Home site. Below, you’ll also find some tools to help you navigate this process, and increase the likelihood of finding the right adopter for your pet.

Tips & Tools

Writing your pet's adoption profile

Your pet’s profile will be the first introduction to a potential adopter. Because they aren’t able to interact with them in person, you’ll need to find other ways to make a connection. Write about your pet’s personality – what do they love to do? What can an adopter look forward to doing with them? What are some of their cute quirks or unique attributes? You won’t be able to cover every aspect of your pet’s personality and needs in a quick introduction, but this is the time to grab the attention of an adopter that may be interested in your pet. You’ll want adopters to be aware of any special needs they might have (like medications, a special diet, or any behavioral or training needs), and when an interested adopter contacts you about your pet you’ll have the opportunity to discuss these needs in more detail.

For more tips on writing your pets adoption profile, check out the Home To Home national website.

Getting a good photo of your pet

Your pet’s photo is the first thing people will see, and a good photo can be crucial to successfully finding an adopter. It may take some extra time, but be sure to get an eye-catching photo of your pet that will draw attention and get people to click on their profile. Take a photo in natural lighting to avoid the red-eye reflection that may result from your camera flash. Get down on your pet’s level to try and get eye contact with the camera. Pick a background that isn’t too distracting. And try to make it fun with treats or toys as a reward—people will be able to tell if your pet looks happy, and they may be more inclined to click on a happy dog or cat.

For more ideas, see this short video of ten tips to take better pet photographs.

Marketing your pet's profile

Some pets in the Home To Home program may be advertised on our Facebook page or other social media platforms to help expose them to more potential adopters. Those potential adopters will still contact the pet owner directly to learn more about the pet.

To reach a wider audience of prospective adopters, you may also consider utilizing other reputable pet rehoming websites in addition to Home To Home, such as rehome.adoptapet.com.

Your personal network is another great opportunity to find a loving home for your pet. Share with friends and family - you may be surprised that you already know someone looking for a new pet! Your network can also help by sharing with their friends and family as well. You may also be able to promote your pet through people you know at work, school, or other social circles. Get the word out there!

Finding the right match

You know your pet’s needs better than anyone else, and by choosing the Home To Home program you’ve shown that you are very invested in their well-being. You can ask a potential adopter as many questions as you feel necessary to determine if your pet is a good fit for their home. Take some time to consider what your pet loves and needs most.

If you’re not sure what to discuss with a potential adopter, you’ll find some sample questions to start the conversation on the Home To Home national website.

Be prepared to answer questions from a potential adopter too—they will likely want to know as much as possible about your pet’s history—where you got them, how long you’ve had them, all about their personality, and about any medical and behavioral needs they have.

Meeting in person

Always exercise caution and use common sense when meeting up with a person you don’t know. Bring a friend with you, and meet in a public place that feels safe to you—like a public park, or even outside of a police station.

Check out this list of Safe Trade Stations.

Creating an adoption agreement

Homeward Pet does not take ownership of any pets rehomed through the Home To Home program. All adoption agreements are made solely between the owner and adopter. We recommend that pet owners create an adoption agreement that covers basic information including the name and description of the pet, the names of both the owner and adopter, the agreement to transfer ownership, and what agreement is in place if the adopter is unable to keep the pet in the future. If there is an expectation or agreement that the adopter will remain in contact and provide updates on the pet, make sure that is detailed. Don’t forget to make a plan to transfer all previous veterinary records. Additionally, if the pet has a microchip, the agreement should also include the microchip number and company, as well as an agreement to contact the company to transfer the record of ownership. Both the owner and adopter should keep a copy of this agreement.

You can download a sample adoption agreement from the Home To Home national website.

If you’re not sure which brand/company your pet is microchipped with, you can use the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup to find out where your pets chip is registered. If you are unsure of your pet’s microchip number, your veterinarian should be able to scan your pet and provide you with this number.