How to Save a Dog Whose Owner Is Relocating
To save a dog whose owner is relocating, arrange to foster the dog through a shelter or rescue group until it finds a permanent home. On the weekends, try and bring the dog to local adoption events to introduce it to potential owners and increase the chance that it'll get adopted. While you're looking after the dog, set up sleeping and play spaces for it in your house so it has a temporary home. If you can no longer foster the dog, get in touch with a no-kill dog shelter or rescue group and see if they can take it in.
Arrange to foster the dog through a shelter or rescue group. If you decide to foster the dog, where you care for it temporarily until a permanent home is found, you should still register the dog with a shelter or rescue group. You will need to provide basic information about the dog, such as its breed, its age, its gender, and its name. You may also need to get the dog's owner's approval to foster the dog until a home is found for it. The shelter or agency may also require you to fill out an application for fostering so they can ensure you are a good foster candidate. You will need to note that you have a permanent place of residence where the dog can stay as well as the time and energy to care for the dog. Determine how long you will care for the dog. A big element of fostering is dog is that you are only meant to have the dog in your care for a set amount of time. Most fostering agencies ask you to agree to at least two weeks of care for the dog. You may opt to foster the dog for a longer period of time, especially if you start to bond with the dog and there is no available permanent home for it yet. You should find out exactly how long the rescue group or shelter needs you to foster the dog. Then, you can decide on your own if you want to extend this time so you are caring for the dog for longer than the agreed upon time. Figure out what type of the care the dog needs. You should also determine what you will need to provide for the dog as its temporary caretaker. Find out if the dog is house trained or if you will need to teach it this skill. Determine if the dog has any medical issues that need to be addressed by speaking to the dog's current owner or by bringing the dog to the vet. If you foster the dog by going through a shelter or rescue group, they may offer to cover any medical care the dog needs so it stays healthy enough to be adopted later. Talk to them about this option. Create a temporary home for the dog. As the temporary caretaker for the dog, you should set up a sleeping space and a play space for the dog in your home. You should also create a walking schedule for the dog so it gets enough exercise every day. You may take any toys the current owner has and bring them into your home for the dog to play with. You should also ensure the dog gets along with any pets you may already have in your home, such as other dogs, cats, or birds. You may need to keep the dog in a separate area or room so your other pets can get used to it over time. Bring the dog to adoption events. As a foster parent, you will need to be willing to set aside some time on the weekends to bring the dog to adoption events. These events will help introduce the dog to potential owners and increase its chances of getting adopted. Many adoption events are held on the weekends at local pet stores or pet friendly venues. The shelter or rescue group should provide you with information about these events. Be prepared to give up the dog if a permanent home is found. Though you may enjoy fostering the dog, you should be prepared to give the dog to a permanent owner if one is found. You should prepare yourself emotionally for this moment, as you will be required to do it as a foster parent to the dog. If you bond with the dog, you may decide to adopt the dog yourself. You may also consider adoption if it has been months and the dog still has not been placed in a forever home. Contact a dog shelter or a rescue group. If you are not able to give the dog a home but you do not want the dog to end up homeless, you can contact your local dog shelter or rescue group. Call them directly and ask them if they would take in the dog and register the dog for adoption. You can find dog shelters and rescue groups in your area by searching online or by calling your local Humane Society. Look for dog shelters that have a no-kill policy, as this will ensure the shelter will not put the dog down if a home cannot be found within a certain time limit. Be aware that surrendering the dog to a pound means the dog's chances of finding a new home are very limited. Most pounds are only legally required to hold a pet for 72 hours and then the pet may be put down. Provide information about the dog to the shelter. You will need to provide basic information about the dog to the shelter, such as the dog's breed, age, gender, and given name. You may also need to tell the shelter about the dog's training and any behavioral problems it may have. Speak to the dog's current owner to get this information. Keep in mind the shelter may ask you to keep the dog with you for a few days while they try to find a placement for it. Many shelters have a waitlist for rehoming dogs so you may need to wait a few days for a response. Monitor the dog’s progress through the agency. Once the dog is accepted at the shelter, they may be kept there until they are rehomed. You may call the shelter or rescue group and ask about the dog to determine if it is healthy and well cared for. This may also be a good way to keep tabs on where the dog is at in terms of being up for adoption or being fostered by a temporary owner. You may also help the shelter with rehoming the dog by advertising the dog on social media and online. You may also consider fostering the dog until a permanent home can be found for the pet. Discuss adoption with the dog’s current owner. If you are able to adopt the dog, you should arrange the adoption with the dog's current owner. This will make the adoption process much easier, as you will have the blessing of the dog's current owner. If the dog's owner is not available, you may be able to go forward with adopting the dog without the previous owner's consent. You may then decide to register the dog in your name. The previous owner may need to authorize you as the new owner for you to do this. You will need complete a registration form and pay licensing fee to have the dog registered as your property. Bring the dog to the vet. Once you have the dog in your care, you should take the dog to the vet for a full check up. Have the vet do a physical exam on the dog as well as blood tests. Make sure the dog has a clean bill of health. Try to go to the same vet for all of the dog's medical needs, as they will get to know the dog and be aware of the dog's medical history. If the dog has any medical issues, you should discuss them with the vet and get the necessary treatment. Integrate the dog into your household. A big part of adopting a dog is integrating the pup successfully into your household. If you have other pets, consider how you are going to help the dog get along with their new house mates. If you have other people in your household, introduce the dog to them and help them get along. You should also create a walking schedule for the dog so it gets enough exercise. Socializing the dog by bringing it around other pets and people will be good for its development. You should spend quality time with the dog and play with it often. This will allow you to bond with the dog and get the dog to see you as its new owner. 
Arrange to foster the dog through a shelter or rescue group. Determine how long you will care for the dog. Figure out what type of the care the dog needs. Create a temporary home for the dog. Bring the dog to adoption events. Be prepared to give up the dog if a permanent home is found. Contact a dog shelter or a rescue group. Provide information about the dog to the shelter. Monitor the dog’s progress through the agency. Discuss adoption with the dog’s current owner. Bring the dog to the vet. Integrate the dog into your household. 