You Don’t Want Your Dog Anymore. What Do You Do?

This article was originally published in 2012 and is regularly updated. It was last reviewed for accuracy and updated November 2025

You’ve just brought home a new puppy, but after a few chewed remotes and sleepless nights, you might be wondering if you made a mistake. Before deciding you don’t want your dog anymore, take a moment to understand what’s really happening. Maybe your pet isn’t a good match for your lifestyle or schedule, like Mike, a Boxer mix whose family had to return him after long workdays left him bored and destructive. Bringing a new puppy home can be overwhelming, but if keeping your dog truly isn’t possible, there are still responsible options and resources to help rehome them safely.

Some dog behavior issues can be improved with training classes, even if your dog is older. You might also consider spaying or neutering or enrolling your dog in a daycare center that offers structured, all-day activities.

Other challenges, like someone in your home being allergic to the pet, can be harder to manage. In some cases, a pet may need to be rehomed due to domestic violence.

Whatever the reason for not keeping your dog, review the suggestions below before making a final decision.

6 Options When You Don’t Want Your Dog Anymore

First, get prepared. Set aside any paperwork from your purchase or adoption, then make a list of traits that will help shelters or potential adopters understand your dog. Include important behavior notes such as: Does your dog go crazy when they see a cat?

• Do they panic during storms or loud noises? Read our guide on calming a dog during thunderstorms
• Have they ever bitten anyone?
• Are they food aggressive or protective of their bowl?
• Do they have any medical issues or medications?
• When were they last vaccinated?

Bathe and groom your dog so they look their best. The more information and preparation you provide, the easier it will be for shelter or rescue staff to evaluate your dog and place them on the adoption list quickly.

Now let's discuss 6 possible options when you don't want your dog anymore:

1. Family or Friends

Start by checking whether someone you already know can give your dog a safe and stable home. Sharing your pet with people who already understand your situation can make the transition much smoother.

• Ask family members or trusted friends if they are open to adopting your dog.
• Post clear photos and a detailed description of your dog on social media.
• Highlight personality traits, habits, routines, and any quirks that make your dog unique.
• Be upfront about medical needs or behavior issues so adopters know what to expect.
• The Best Friends Animal Society rehoming guide

Do not limit yourself to only close contacts. Ask friends, co-workers, and relatives to share your post so the information reaches as many people as possible. Word of mouth can quickly reach someone who is actively looking for a new pet.

2. Rescues

If your dog is a recognizable or purebred type, a breed specific rescue may be one of the fastest ways to find them a new home. These groups often work closely with shelters and can take in dogs that need more specialized care.

• Breed rescues often partner with shelters to free up space and help dogs who may be harder to place, as explained in the Petfinder guide to breed rescues
• They frequently take older dogs or those with medical or behavioral needs.
• The AKC Rescue Network lists rescues by breed, making it easier to find a match.
• If no group is available in your state, contact a nearby one. Many rescues can coordinate safe pet transport, as seen in our article on how transport programs work

Going directly to a breed rescue may help your dog find a permanent home more quickly, and these groups are often better equipped to understand the specific needs of the breed.

3. Animal Sanctuaries

Some communities have animal sanctuaries that provide long term care or adoption support for pets who need more time, space, or specialized attention. Start by searching your city or state plus the term animal sanctuary to see what is available.

• Animal sanctuaries may take in dogs with medical or behavioral challenges. Learn more about what sanctuaries are from this overview of animal sanctuaries.
• Some sanctuaries offer adoption services, while others allow animals to live on the property permanently.
• Always contact the organization first to confirm they are legitimate and that they accept dogs.
• One example is Our Companions Animal Sanctuary, which provides long term care for dogs and cats with special needs and helps them work toward eventual adoptive homes.

If you find a reputable sanctuary in your area, this option can give your dog a safe environment with the time and support they need.

For example, Our Companions, an animal sanctuary situated on 47 acres of rural land in Manchester, Connecticut, says it takes in "dogs and cats with medical and/or behavioral challenges."

4. Animal Shelters

Bringing your dog to a local animal shelter is a common option, and a good shelter will not judge you for needing help. Staff can often guide you through next steps and explain what to expect.

• A responsible shelter understands that rehoming is sometimes necessary. Learn more from our article on returning a pet to a shelter.
• If the shelter is full, they may refer you to animal control or another facility.
• Ask whether the shelter is a no kill organization, and remember that no kill shelters select which dogs they can accept. Our guide to how no kill shelters work explains why some dogs may not qualify.
• Dogs with anxiety or confinement issues may struggle in a shelter setting, so consider this carefully.
• Some shelters offer additional support such as spay and neuter clinics, training classes, or bulletin boards for owner rehoming.

If you think your dog will not handle confinement well or you want more control over where they end up, you may want to consider another option before turning to a shelter.

5. Military

Active duty service members often receive new orders and cannot bring their dog because of housing rules, breed restrictions, or deployment requirements. If you are facing this situation, there are programs designed to help.

• Dogs on Deployment is a nonprofit that matches military families with volunteer boarders who can care for pets during deployments or temporary assignments. Learn more in our guide to Dogs on Deployment.
• The program helps keep pets out of shelters by giving them safe, temporary homes until their families return.
• It can be a good option if you want to keep your dog but will be away for an extended period.

These resources make it possible for many service members to reunite with their pets once they are back home.

6. Animal Control

Municipal animal control facilities, often called the pound, are government operated and usually accept any dog brought to them. However, they have limited space, and some unadopted animals may be euthanized, so this option should be considered only after exploring others.

• Many animal control facilities must manage overcrowding, which can lead to euthanasia. Our article explains why some shelters have to euthanize pets.
• If a no kill shelter is full, they may direct you to animal control as the only available intake option.
• Animal control can become the last resort when you have exhausted all safe rehoming paths.

If you choose this route, be sure you have sincerely tried every other alternative to keep your dog safe.

2 Very Bad Options When You Don’t Want Your Dog Anymore

1. Dumping Your Dog

Abandoning a dog is extremely dangerous and is never an acceptable solution. Leaving them on a road, empty lot, or rural area exposes them to serious and often fatal risks. They could be attacked by another animal.

• They could be hit by a car while trying to find safety.
• They could contract or spread disease.
• If they are not neutered, they may contribute to pet overpopulation.
• As reported by an animal control official in Georgia in our coverage of why dumping animals is illegal and cruel, abandoned pets often suffer and may die before anyone finds them.

Never assume someone will pick up your dog or give them proper care. Many abandoned dogs remain in the same place waiting for their owner, or they try to run back home and get injured along the way.

2. "Free to a Good Home" Listing

Offering your dog for free in newspapers or online listings may seem kind, but it can put your pet at serious risk. You cannot verify who will respond, and harmful individuals often target free animals.

• Some people pose as friendly adopters but may be animal abusers or connected to animal testing operations.
• Bully breeds are sometimes targeted by dogfighting rings. Learn more in our coverage of the Vicktory Dogs
• Smaller dogs can be sought out as bait animals for training fighting dogs. The ASPCA’s dogfighting overview explains how these operations work.
• Free listings make it easy for dangerous individuals to take animals with no accountability.

Because of these risks, it is much safer to rehome your dog through trusted contacts, reputable rescues, or verified adoption channels.

As Allison Gray says in her article "Why 'Free to a Good Home' Ads Must Die":

"We’d all like to assume that we’re great judges of character and can see a monster coming a mile away. But some monsters aren’t that terrifying on the outside. And some are masters of deception."

Instead of "free," consider charging a small rehoming fee if you list your dog online. The right family won't mind paying this fee.

In this emotional video, Lex explains why she's rehoming her dog and shares what she has learned through her experience so far:

Final Thoughts

If you have decided you do not want your dog anymore, it is important to approach the situation responsibly and give your pet the best chance at a safe new home.

• Review every safe rehoming option before making a final decision.
• Take your time and be honest about your dog’s needs and behaviors.
• Follow the Best Friends guidance to be creative, positive, and persistent during the rehoming process.
• Remember that finding the right home can take effort, but good homes do exist.

You cared enough to bring your dog into your life, so take the extra step to make sure their next home is safe, stable, and loving.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)