We've separated these top Rehome FAQ into sections to make it easier for you to find what you need!
- General Information
- Profile Management
- Shelter Information
- Adoption Fees, Species, Data
1. General Information
What is Rehome?
Rehome is an online platform designed to help pet owners find new homes for their pets. Our goal is to empower pet owners to manage the rehoming process themselves, reducing the need for direct shelter interactions and freeing up valuable shelter resources for pets needing immediate help.
How does Rehome differ from other rehoming platforms?
Rehome was built to optimize the use of technology to streamline the rehoming process. We have dedicated staff and advanced systems to review profiles, deter scammers, and provide support. Our platform aims to provide pet owners with the tools and guidance to manage much of the rehoming process independently. Other platforms may have different operational models.
How do most users find Rehome?
Most Rehome users discover our platform through simple online searches, such as "I need to give up my pet." Our objective is to serve pet owners who are looking for a reliable and efficient way to rehome their pets, while allowing shelters to focus on those with more complex needs.
2. Profile Management
How does Rehome ensure the legitimacy of postings?
We have technology built in to review photos and verify profiles for legitimacy. A recent addition to this technology is the implementation of a listing fee for pet owners. While this fee is almost completely waived for shelter referrals, requiring a credit card at the time of profile creation is the easiest way for us to deter scammers and breeders.
How are photo and profile verifications handled?
Our technology automatically reviews photos and profiles to ensure legitimacy and prevent fraudulent or spam accounts. This helps maintain the integrity of our listings.
Can shelters edit Rehome pet profiles?
Not directly. But while pet owners primarily manage their own pet profiles, Adopt a Pet staff can review and make necessary changes at the request of the pet owner or referring shelter. We also provide tips during profile creation and through follow-up emails to help pet owners create compelling profiles, including advice on getting great photos and writing a stellar pet story.
What kind of information is automatically removed from profiles?
Our technology automatically replaces sensitive personal information, such as phone numbers and addresses, with "x's" within the profiles to ensure safety and privacy.
Does Rehome review all postings?
While we initially reviewed every profile, with hundreds of thousands of profiles added in just a few years, we have identified criteria that indicate when a profile needs additional screening. We have dedicated staff members who review these profiles, approving, monitoring, or blocking them as necessary. We also have technology to prevent blocked users from listing pets on our platform in the future.
3. Shelter Information
Does Rehome consider individual shelter policies for referred pets?
When a pet is referred to Rehome by a shelter, they are not directly associated with that shelter (other than behind the scenes). Therefore, we do not take individual shelter policies into consideration. However, we do adhere to nationwide and standard policies regarding issues like bite history, aggression, pregnant pets, and unweaned pets.
Can Rehome provide referred owners' contact information to shelters?
Yes, upon request we can provide shelters with a CSV file of contact information of pet owners that used a shelter's unique referral link to list their pet. If a shelter is providing case management, we also recommend they collect the contact information before or at the time of providing the referral link to list their pet on Rehome.
How does Rehome communicate with pet owners?
Instead of shelter staff interacting directly with pet owners, our staff handles communication through emails, a chatbot with generative AI, and a robust online help center. This allows us to provide efficient and consistent support.
How are inactive listings handled?
We automatically remove profiles of pets that have no activity from their owners after a period of time. The profile becomes inactive, and we notify the pet owner, providing instructions on how to reactivate the existing profile if it is still needed. We also remove any listings requested by a shelter, like for pets that have been surrendered to their shelter.
4. Adoption Fees, Species, Data
Does Rehome prohibit adoption fees?
No. We found that prohibiting adoption fees can lead some pet owners to explore alternative platforms where they might not receive adequate support, or to list without a fee and then charge one once an applicant reaches out. Many owners who charge an adoption fee aim to recover some initial acquisition costs. Over 50% of pets listed through Rehome do not have an adoption fee. We have other systems in place to prevent profiteering.
Does Rehome support all legal pet species?
Currently, our platform is optimized for cats and dogs due to the significant volume of users searching for these species. While we recognize the need for supporting other species, building out the additional functionality for different breeds, colors, spay/neuter requirements, vaccination requirements, etc., would be a substantial undertaking in terms of resources. We receive requests for other species regularly, but with less than 0.04% of searches on our platform being for non-dog/cat species, we are currently unable to drive sufficient interest in those pets.
Is data transparent on Rehome?
Yes, we provide all relevant data directly to the pet owner in their dashboard and to the referring shelter through a data portal. This includes information on how much interest their pet is receiving.