Home2Home Frequently Asked Questions

It’s our hope that Home2Home will provide an alternative to surrendering and be a game-changing option for councils, shelters and rescue groups who can replicate this model or adopt parts to fit their structures. Below, you’ll find answers to the most frequently asked questions about how Home2Home works. If you have a question or would like to discuss how to set up an assisted rehoming program through PetRescue, contact us here.

 

By the time people inquire with Home2Home for scenarios such as behaviour issues, how often do you find people are willing to continue to work with their pets and are able to redirect them to support and referral?

We’ve found that dog owners are more likely to be willing to work with their pets than cat owners. Overall, about 17% of pet owners who enquire about Home2Home for scenarios such as behavioural issues are willing to work with their pets and are able to be redirected to support and referral services. However, this number can vary depending on the type of pet and the nature of the issue. 

 

Are there any circumstances in which you offer education or assistance to prevent surrender for those owners who may be in a position to keep the animal?

Absolutely, keeping pets and people together is the ultimate outcome. 

Over the span of just one year (from July 1st to June 30th 2023), Home2Home helped 105 pets stay together with their families.

Home2Home provides education and assistance based on each unique situation and can include things like referring pet owners to qualified professionals in their area, like trainers, vets or behaviour specialists. 

The Home2Home team is able to share resources on anything from teaching manners around the house, how to increase a dog's self-control, listening skills and mental stimulation, canine enrichment, desensitisation, resource guarding and anxiety to leash manners, tips for puppies, cat litterbox issues and helping pet owners understand how to fulfil their pet's needs.

Lenny is an example of a pet who ended up staying together with his amazing family due to our support and assistance.

We provide practical and emotional support for human issues too, like relocating interstate and not having the financial capacity to transport pets.

Sam reached out to Home2Home, believing that rehoming his beloved pets was the only option. Home2Home presented an alternative option and provided guidance, resources and support to keep them together. Read Sam’s story here.

 

Who provides your behaviour advice and support?

Dr Diana Rayment

 

Is Home2Home service available Australia-wide?

Home2Home is currently operating with managed intake so that we can provide the best care to people and pets. The program is currently open to all pets Australia-wide. 

 

Is Home2Home available for pets other than cats and dogs? How do the team providing the 1:1 support handle advice/support for those animals?

Yes, Home2Home is available for pets other than cats and dogs, depending on the state regulations. All pets and owners receive equal support in their rehoming journey. We’ve helped dogs, cats, guinea pigs, birds, rabbits and horses find new homes.

 

Do you think the stigma of giving up a pet still needs to be removed?

Yes, there are many reasons why someone might need to rehome their pet. We have experienced that owners often come to us with a sense of guilt and embarrassment. But by providing a compassionate approach, we can not only reduce the stress on pets but also provide pet owners with the time and support they need during a difficult time. 

Home2Home is a safe and supportive environment for pet owners looking to rehome their pets, safely and without judgement. 

“Home2Home gave me the support and reassurance I needed to feel comfortable in sharing my dog’s post on social media, which led to her successful adoption 30 minutes away. I found the best family, companion dog and home I could have asked for. If I had known what it would feel like to stand in my beloved dog’s new garden, chatting with her new family while my kids played with the dogs, I would never have hesitated.” ~ Anna

“Home2Home gave my cat a second chance at a wonderful life with a loving owner when I was no longer able to care for her. I now receive regular updates and photos from her new owner, which would not have happened if she had been adopted from a shelter. Rehoming my cat was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made, and I was feeling very guilty that due to ill health, I had to do so. From the first email, I knew that I had found the perfect program to help me find my cat a new home. Vicki was so understanding, and there wasn't a hint of judgement, which meant that I felt comfortable with the process.” ~ Maria.

 

How is confidentiality protected between ‘homes’?

The pet owner is able to choose the level of confidentially that is comfortable for them. One of the benefits of using the program is that a pet owner can talk with potential adopters directly. At an owner's request, we can redact the information required.

 

Where does the legal liability fall in the case where the animal is involved in an incident in the new home, e.g. bite to a child or attack on another animal?

The formal adoption contract we use specifies that the transfer of ownership is direct from the original owner and the adopter. Home2Home facilitates the adoption process but is never the legal owner of the pet. We recognise that assisted rehoming is not suitable for every pet, and prevention plays a part in our approach, including behavioural assessments, requiring in-person assessments where needed, referring to more specialist services where appropriate, education and post-adoption support.

 

Do the pets get seen by a vet prior to adoption? 

Are these animals required to be desexed, vaccinated and microchipped?

All pets need to be desexed, vaccinated and microchipped, and proof of paperwork is required to enter the program. We recommend the adopter do a wellness check within the 14-day cooling-off period.

 

Do you ever find issues about the pets are not disclosed?

Do you find some pets are distributed that are not desexed or have health issues such as dental or heartworm? 

Would a rescue group not be preferable to address these issues and create a better outcome?

An important part of the program is keeping the capacity available for pets who genuinely need rescuing. We have also found that pet owners genuinely care about transparency and are great partners in achieving great adoption outcomes. 

 

Has there ever been any situations that involve ownership disputes?

No, there has never been an ownership dispute. We require the owners name to be included on the vet paperwork, including microchipping, before being accepted into the program.

 

Does the original owner ever request the rehomed pet back if their situation changes and they can now care for the pet?

We understand how emotional rehoming a pet is, and we are there to support owners, including post-adoption. We have not experienced a pet owner requesting their pet back. 

 

How are animals assessed for behavioural or health issues prior to being promoted for rehoming, or is it based on an honour system with what the existing owner is willing to disclose?

We require vaccination, desexing and microchip certificates. We have a questionnaire, and dogs have an initial phone call. We have experienced that owners are just as transparent as we are. Home2Home has built-in checks and balances to ensure we have an accurate picture of health and behaviour. But also, there is an element that requires owners to be honest about this, and in our experience, this is proven to be true.

 

Does your service assist with microchip owner detail updates? Also, updating council registrations when relocated locally?

Home2Home facilitates the adoption process but is never the legal owner of the pet. We give the owner the required information to complete the transfer.

 

What happens if the adoption doesn’t work out and the previous owner can not take the animal back?

Either the original owner takes them back, and we support them to find another home, and we have safety net rescue organisations in place where possible.

"We have been the safety net provider, and only a few times have we ever had to take the cat into care." Samantha McKernan - Maneki Neko Cat Rescue

 

How does this differ from people giving away pets via a community poster, word of mouth or social media? 

One of our initial goals was to provide a safer rehoming pathway than advertising on social media.

 

What is the cost to someone wanting to use this service?

The Home2Home program fee is optional. We believe in reducing barriers to support services like Home2Home. The priority of Home2Home is to create positive outcomes for both pets and the people who love them.

For pet owners that wish to contribute, we operate a ‘pay-what-you-can’ system enabling owners to choose any amount that they are happy to or able to pay. Pet owners can continue through the program and will be provided support to suit their individual needs whether they choose to pay the program fee or not. 

 

What is the average time for a cat/dog to be adopted through Home2Home?

In September 2023, the median adoption time for cats stood at 26.2 days, while for dogs, it was 24.4 days. This information corresponds with the data collected from July 1st to June 30th 2023, revealing that the median adoption time for cats was 26.14 days, and for dogs, it was 26.13 days.
 

On average, how long does the process take from consultation to adoption?

The beauty of the program is that the owner is in the driver's seat, and it can be a self-paced program. The time from consultation to adoption varies and can be as little as a few days, depending on the owner's capacity. We give the owner a recommended time from of a minimum of four weeks once listed.

 

Are Home2Home pets profiles displayed on the same pages as other rescue pets who are with rehoming agencies?

Yes. All pets listed for adoption on PetRescue are treated equally on the PetRescue website, whether they are listed via a PetRescue member organisation or Home2Home.

If a pet is already listed with a member organisation, we do not list them via Home2Home. 

 

Love the program and, in particular, the role this plays in preventing burden on rescue and shelters etc. What is needed to scale it up?

Just like many rescues, we’d love to continue to work on improving our resources, partnering with other organisations aiming for the same goal, utilising technology to increase our capacity and spreading the word about the benefits of assisted rehoming.

There are definitely challenges in scaling this up because of the one-on-one support offered - the human, consultation and compassion part can't be replaced by software and technology, but we're working on streamlining and partnering aspects where we can while holding onto the essence of the program not losing the human touch.

 

Are there plans to increase the capacity of the program?

Absolutely, there are plans in motion to expand the program's capacity. Our development team is working hard on a big project behind the scenes to streamline the processes. If resources allow, we aim to expand the program’s capacity in the future.