Thinking About Giving Up Your Pet? Read This First...

When Keeping Your Pet Feels Uncertain, You're Not Alone

No one brings a pet home expecting to re-home or surrender them later. Yet for many pet owners, unexpected life changes or events can make caring for a pet feel overwhelming or unmanageable — even when the love is still there.

The human–animal bond matters, and when that bond is broken, it can have lasting emotional effects on both the pet and the people who care about them. Protecting that bond whenever possible is not only about the pet — it's about the well-being of the entire household. Decisions that are made too quickly can lead to years of regret.

Housing changes, landlord restrictions, financial stress, too many pets, lack of time, hectic schedules, health issues, or personal challenges are the most common reasons pets are relinquished. These situations are painful, confusing, and often filled with guilt and frustration — especially when it feels like there are no good options.

In many cases, however, there may be alternatives that can help keep pets in their homes. In situations like these, the earlier the pet owner(s) look for help, the more likely there is a positive outcome. In seeking help early, the pet owner(s) can find reassurance and support, making the situation much less stressful.

If you are facing the possibility of re-homing or surrendering your pet, you are not alone. There are people, resources, and organizations dedicated to helping pet owners navigate difficult situations with compassion and understanding.

This page exists to help you pause, breathe, and explore options — without judgment.


Our Approach: Slow the Shelter Flow

At It's DogGone Awesome, our work is guided by a simple philosophy:
Slow the Shelter Flow.

This means focusing on education, preparation, and early support to reduce the number of pets entering shelters due to preventable circumstances.

By helping pet owners understand common challenges — and the options available to them — we aim to:

  • Reduce unnecessary pet surrenders
  • Support families during difficult life transitions
  • Help pets remain safely and responsibly in their homes whenever possible

Education is not about blame. It's about giving people the information and support they need before a situation becomes a crisis.


👉 FIND SUPPORT BY SITUATION

What Are You Facing Right Now?

Choose the situation that best reflects what you and your pet are experiencing. Each option will take you to a page with guidance, reassurance, and possible next steps.


pawprintPet Support for Financial Hardship

When the cost of pet care feels unmanageable

pawprintPet Support When Time or Energy Is Limited

When work, health, or care-giving reduces your capacity

Pawprnt Pet Support During Family or Household Conflict

When not everyone agrees about the pet

pawprint Pet Support for Behavior Concerns

When behavior feels confusing or overwhelming

pawprint Pet Support During Major Life Changes

Moving, illness, relationship changes, or emergencies


A Compassionate Reminder

Needing help does not mean you've failed your pet. Many responsible pet owners face situations they never expected. Asking questions, seeking guidance, and exploring options are acts of care — not abandonment.

Some challenges can be resolved with support. Others require difficult decisions. This space exists to help you think clearly and compassionately about what comes next.

Resources and guidance shared here are informational and may vary by location. If your pet's health or safety is at immediate risk, please contact a qualified professional or local organization.

You may find useful information at the Homeward Pet Adoption Center: https://www.homewardpet.org/services/pet-retention-resources/


Support, Education, and What's Coming Next

We are currently developing a series of educational guides designed to help pet owners navigate real-life challenges such as housing changes, financial stress, time constraints, behavior concerns, and major transitions.

These guides are being created in response to what pet owners actually experience — not idealized scenarios — and are intended to provide practical, compassionate guidance focused on keeping pets and people together whenever possible.

As these resources are completed, they will be made available here.


Stay Connected

If you'd like to be notified when new educational resources become available, you're welcome to join our email list. We share updates thoughtfully and only when they're relevant.

You can also use this page to explore trusted organizations and assistance options that may be able to help right now.

👉 You don't have to have all the answers today.


Pet Support is part of It's DogGone Awesome's commitment to Slow the Shelter Flow — helping pets and people stay together through education, compassion, and realistic support.