When rehoming is the right choice
Life changes in ways we can't always plan for. Emigration, a new baby, illness, a relationship breakdown, a landlord who won't allow pets, or simply realising you can no longer give an animal the time it deserves. Choosing to rehome a pet responsibly, rather than abandoning it or handing it to the first stranger who replies to a "free to good home" advert, is a caring and responsible act.
This guide walks you through how to rehome a dog, cat or other pet safely in South Africa, and how PetGuru helps you find the right family.
Before you list your pet
- Speak to your vet first. Make sure vaccinations, sterilisation, deworming and microchip details are up to date, and that the chip is registered. A healthy, sterilised pet is far easier to rehome and far less likely to be exploited.
- Be honest about behaviour. Note any medical conditions, anxieties, or issues with children or other animals. Hiding problems only leads to a failed placement and a pet that gets passed around.
- Gather records. Vaccination card, sterilisation certificate, microchip number and any vet history. The new owner will need these.
- Take good photos. Clear, natural-light photos of your pet's face and full body attract serious, caring homes far more than a single blurry picture.
Why a rehoming fee matters
"Free to good home" is the single most abused phrase in animal welfare. Free pets attract flippers who resell them, collectors who supply them for the wrong reasons, and people who simply don't value what costs them nothing. A modest rehoming fee, even R150 to R500, is the simplest and most effective filter against this. It does not deter a genuine family who is ready to spend thousands on food and vet care over a pet's lifetime.
On PetGuru you set your own fee, or list for free if you choose. We encourage a small fee, and we never take a cut of it. The fee is arranged directly between you and the new owner.
Screening a new home
The most important part of rehoming is making sure your pet goes somewhere it will thrive. When someone enquires through PetGuru they answer a structured set of questions about their home, household, other pets, work schedule and care plan, and they agree to return the pet to you if things don't work out. Use those answers, and don't be afraid to ask more:
- Have they owned this kind of pet before? What happened to previous pets?
- Who is at home during the day, and how long would the pet be alone?
- Do they own or rent? If renting, does the lease allow pets?
- Is the garden secure? Where will the pet sleep?
- Are they prepared for the lifetime cost of food, vaccinations and vet care?
- Can you do a home visit, or a video call to see the space?
Trust your instincts. If something feels off, you are never obliged to hand your pet over.
Meeting and handover
- Meet in person first. Ideally let the new family meet the pet more than once before committing, and introduce any resident pets on neutral ground.
- Do a home check. A quick visit (or video walkthrough) confirms the home is what was described and the space is safe.
- Put it in writing. A simple rehoming agreement covering the fee, the return clause, and confirmation that vaccination and microchip records were handed over protects both sides. Update the microchip registration to the new owner.
- Stay reachable. Offer to answer questions in the first few weeks. A smooth transition is better for the pet and reassures the new family.
How PetGuru keeps rehoming safe
- Identity-verified owners. Everyone rehoming a pet verifies their South African ID before a listing goes live, so there is a real, accountable person behind every pet.
- Screened applicants. Every enquiry includes home, household and care questions plus a return agreement, so you choose from informed, committed people.
- AI moderation. Listings are automatically checked to keep the platform free of scams and misuse.
- You stay in control. You decide who your pet goes to, when, and on what terms.
If you can't find a home
If rehoming privately isn't working, reach out to a registered rescue or shelter. Many will help with rehoming or take an animal in. Browse our shelter directory or read the emergency fostering page. Please never abandon a pet. It is illegal under the Animals Protection Act and almost always fatal for the animal.
