Completing a Step by Step rehoming form is essential because it increases the likelihood that your pet will find a safe, suitable new home. This form collects important details that help match your pet with the right adopter and guide the rehoming process effectively. The form clarifies your pet's personality, health, and needs, which can expedite placement and increase the likelihood of a successful long-term match.
Why it Matters
A well-completed rehoming form organises the information that adopters and rehoming teams need, such as temperament, care requirements, and any special considerations. The form’s clarity helps you present your pet honestly and attracts people genuinely prepared to provide a suitable home.
To Do List before Rehoming a Pet
- Obtain or find the Desexing and Vaccination Certificates, the Blue Book, or documents. You can ask your Vet for copies via Email.
- Document the parasite brand and frequency of treatment for Flea/tick/worms, e.g. NexGuard Spectra (inc. tapeworm & heartworm) for Large Dogs, 1st of every month.
- Document when you started giving Heartworm Preventative, brand, tablet or injection, and note if your pet has EVER had a break from treatment and the duration, e.g. stopped in 2025, not restarted, current age #. A veterinarian may recommend a heartworm test.
- What is your pet's breed, age, species, and gender?
- What is your pet's Microchip/BIN or RON? In NSW, you must advertise and sell any puppy born on or after 1 December 2025 with its microchip number and the breeder's valid BIN or RON.
- Documents describing your pet's medical history and the medications you are currently using.
Lastly, but it's very important to take some good Head Shots and Body Shots of your pet, and a short video to show off their training and/or their personality.
Check your account on the NSW Pet Registry or similar in other states
From a Step by Step rehoming perspective, you transfer your pet to a new owner once they give you the email they used to open their account.
- Open an account or check your details
- Does the microchip number link your pet to your account?
- Please check the Desexing Status and Registration. The applicant has paid the registration.
- Add a photo of your pet.
- Please check the details of your pet: species, age, desexing status, breed, restrictions, and registration fees paid/unpaid.
Contact your Vet if the desexing status is NO and you've had your pet desexed. Remind your Vet to update the status.
Contact the Registration if the registration is unpaid. There is a late penalty to consider. For example, this applies if you did not desex your dog before six months or your cat before four months.
https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/pets/nsw-pet-registry/owners/get-started-nsw-pet-registry
Now you are ready to complete a Pet Profile [link]
Tips for Rehoming
- Does the ID address used by the potential new owner match the Adoption Application and the Change of Ownership form?
- Do not meet in a park, etc., unless you are with someone and feel safe.
- Ask their previous Vet to verify if they had an account.
- Ask them to bring their dogs and meet on neutral ground.
- Ask to meet the entire family that will be living with your pet.
- Ask for references.
- If there is anything of concern within the Adoption Application, ask more questions for clarification.
- Ask if you'll be able to receive updates about your pet, and that may be yearly after the first year.
- Does your pet match what the New Owner can offer? Vet care, training, good quality food, regular walks, play time, and lovely adventures. e.g. you want your dog to be able to sleep inside at night.
Let us help you rehome safely.
Adoption Application
Standardised questions about pet ownership and lifestyle help you to match your pet with a new owner and their family.
There are questions about energy level, pet size, outdoor shelter, Vet and food options, family size, noise levels, whether there are any children, secure fencing, and how long the pet will be alone.
Get started → adoption form
Change of Ownership
A manual document can be signed by both parties and lodged with your Local Council in person, by post or via Email.
OR you can transfer the Ownership online at the NSW Pet Registry by sending an Invitation to transfer to the new owner. You will need their email address linked to their account.
Get started → C3A & NSW Pet Registry
Bill of Sale
Agree on the adoption conditions beforehand, e.g., Return Policy, Refund Policy, whether the pet must be desexed or can be desexed within X weeks, what happens if the pet becomes sick within the first 72 hours, etc.
Safeguard your pet and yourself by having both parties sign a Bill of Sale and discuss the conditions beforehand.
Get started → Bill of Sale