Handing your pet to AWL for rehoming

We know that sometimes life doesn’t go to plan and that can mean struggling to cope with a pet.

At AWL, we want to work with you to keep your pet at home if at all possible.

Please note: we are currently at capacity and closed for cat and kitten intake.

Look at all the other options first

Handing over your pet to AWL should be a last resort once you’ve exhausted all other options.

Health issue?

If it’s a health issue, talk to your vet first of all.

Many Vet clinics will be happy to talk to you about any problems you may be having. Find a vet

Difficult behaviour?

If you would like to rehome your pet due to behavioural issues, please contact us on 8348 1300. Our experienced team can provide you with advice on how to best to train your pets to ensure everyone is happy at home!

Rental problems?

Rent With Pets is a website with tips and advice for landlords and tenants, helping them work together so that more animals can live in responsible, loving rental homes. Visit Rent with Pets website

Struggling to afford it?

Have you thought about any other areas of your life that you can reduce expenses? We know it is often not easy getting by especially when you have many mouths to feed, both human and animal! But sometimes it is in other areas that we can make adjustments that might mean being able to continue to care for your pet.

Difficulties at home?

If it's a good idea to remove your pet from the home for a while, talk to Safe Pets Safe Families

Are you moving interstate or overseas?

Have you spoken to any animal transport companies to see if they can assist? Contact Dogtainers they may surprise you with how simple it could be.

Signing over your pet for rehoming

If you decide that the only option is to sign over your pet to AWL, we’ll do everything we can to find the best possible home for them. Currently, we estimate there is a waiting period of at least 4-6 weeks before we can begin the process.

Please be completely open and honest about your situation – the more we know, the easier it is for us to understand the best way to proceed. Please remember that we are not here to judge or criticise you, we are here to help you and your pet.

No matter your circumstances, we will listen without judgement, and do what we can to make things as simple as possible.

At AWL, we will always do our best to rehome an animal in need. However, for the wellbeing of your pet we may need to make difficult decisions. It is important that you fully understand our policies about reclaim of ownership or your pet being put to sleep.

Ownership

It’s important to understand that once you legally sign over your pet to AWL, you relinquish all rights of ownership to them.

We can only accept a pet if it’s microchipped in the name of the person bringing the pet in, and their microchip registration will now be transferred to AWL.

It isn't possible to visit your pet once you’ve signed them over to AWL. It would be very distressing for the pet because they would think you were coming to collect them. And of course, this would be very upsetting for you. For the same reason, we don't give you updates on your pet once it's owned by AWL.

As a rule, we don't allow you to reclaim your pet once they’ve been brought into us for rehoming, unless we agree that it’s in the pet’s best interests. That’s why it’s vital that you carefully think your decision through before making an appointment

Putting your pet to sleep

We deal with a wide range of animals arriving here and as a result, we regularly receive dogs and cats with serious medical conditions or behavioural problems. This means our dedicated team treats each animal on a case-by-case basis and does everything we possibly can to give them the best chance of a happy future.

Our expert team will take the time to assess each pet to understand their individual needs, motivations and behaviours towards other animals and people, they will also identify any areas where undesirable behaviours can be resolved with time, training and care.

We will never put an animal to sleep unless they are found to have untreatable medical problems, or to have behavioural issues so severe that we believe we will be unable to safely rehome them.

We are unable to euthanise an animal that is not in our care. Please speak to your vet if this is a service you require. You can view a list of vets in your area here.

Rehoming

After a thorough assessment process and any required medical treatment, if the pet is suitable for rehoming we will put them up for adoption.

This can take a matter of days but for others it may be many months. There is no time limit on how long we care for an animal.

At AWL, we’ll do everything we can to rehome physically and psychologically healthy animals.

It takes time to consider each case and situation individually. Please make an appointment to ensure we can spend time with you and your pet. Call us on 8348 1300.

At times we may not be able to take your pet straight away, but we will always discuss your options and do what we can to support you with your decision.

Fee

The handover fee is $60 per cat or litter of kittens and $80 per dog or puppy and this will need to be paid on arrival.