Having a clear “Placement of Dogs” policy ensures that the welfare of your dogs and puppies is prioritised throughout their lives, whether they are retired from breeding, unsuitable for your breeding program, or unsold puppies.
A well-defined policy demonstrates your commitment to responsible breeding, ethical rehoming practices, and compliance with welfare standards.
This policy outlines your approach to retiring breeding dogs, addressing behavioral challenges, and finding suitable homes for dogs and puppies that cannot remain in your care.
It also highlights the importance of spaying/neutering, health checks, and ensuring that all new owners are fully informed and prepared.
Guidance
When drafting your placement of dogs policy, consider the following situations and how you would responsibly manage them:
Retirement of Breeding Dogs
Clearly outline the process for retiring breeding dogs:
- Dogs should be spayed or neutered after their final litter.
- Efforts must be made to rehome the dog responsibly, ensuring they are placed in a suitable, loving home.
- Include a timeline for when this process will begin and steps such as health checks and providing documentation to the new owner.
Rehoming Dogs for Other Reasons
If a dog is being rehomed due to behavioral issues or unsuitability for the breeding program:
- Detail your process for assessing and addressing the behavior before rehoming.
- Explain how you will ensure the new home is suitable for the dog’s needs (e.g., no other dogs in the household if there are compatibility issues).
- Specify how you will support the new owner with information, such as providing a full health and behavioral record for the dog.
Finding Homes for Unsold Puppies
If puppies remain unsold and you are not prepared to house them as pets:
- Describe your approach to rehoming puppies, including timelines and processes to find responsible owners.
- Consider whether spaying or neutering unsold puppies is appropriate to prevent irresponsible breeding.
- Ensure all necessary health checks, vaccinations, and documentation are completed before rehoming.
If Rehoming Efforts Are Unsuccessful
If all efforts to rehome a dog, puppy, or puppies are unsuccessful:
- State what alternative actions you would take, such as housing the animal yourself, working with rescue organisations, or seeking professional advice.
- Emphasise that euthanasia should only be considered as a last resort, in consultation with a veterinarian, and only if it is in the best interest of the animal’s welfare.
Considerations for Your Policy
When drafting your policy, address the following questions:
Retiring Breeding Dogs
- What steps will you take to ensure the dog is spayed/neutered?
- How will you evaluate potential homes to ensure they are suitable?
Will you provide health and behavioral records to the new owner?
Rehoming Dogs Due to Behavioral or Compatibility Issues
- How will you address behavioral challenges before deciding to rehome?
- What steps will you take to find a new owner who can meet the dog’s needs?
- Will you involve professionals, such as animal behaviorists, in the process?
Rehoming Unsold Puppies
- What is your timeline for rehoming puppies that remain unsold?
- How will you ensure they are spayed/neutered and have all necessary health checks?
- How will you vet potential new owners to ensure they are responsible and suitable?
Unsuccessful Rehoming Efforts
- What is your contingency plan if you cannot find a suitable home for the dog or puppies?
- Will you seek assistance from rescue organizations or charities?
- What measures will you take to ensure the animal’s welfare is prioritised at all times?
A strong placement of dogs policy demonstrates your commitment to responsible breeding and animal welfare. By addressing key considerations for retiring, rehoming, and managing dogs and puppies, you ensure that every animal under your care has a plan for a safe and secure future. Regularly review and update this policy to align with best practices and the welfare needs of your animals.