How to Adopt a Dog from FurPetVo

If you’re ready to adopt a dog, choosing one whose current family is finding them a new home comes with real advantages — it’s easier to find a good match, you gain deeper insight into your future pet’s personality and needs, and you’re helping a dog transition smoothly into loving care. FurPetVo’s Rehome program connects you directly with compassionate pet parents who are thoughtfully placing their dogs into new homes. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know.

Two people smiling while sitting on a park bench with a calm, friendly dog between them

What Is Rehome by FurPetVo?

Rehome is FurPetVo’s trusted program that helps pet parents safely and responsibly find loving new families for their dogs when life circumstances change — whether due to relocation, health concerns, or other personal challenges. Instead of surrendering pets to shelters or rescues, families use FurPetVo’s Rehome tools to create thoughtful profiles, share detailed insights about their dog’s temperament, habits, and medical history, and connect directly with carefully screened adopters.

This family-to-family approach supports a gentler transition for dogs and eases pressure on shelters and rescues — many of which operate at or beyond capacity. It’s a compassionate, community-driven way to keep dogs in stable, loving environments where they can thrive.

How to Adopt from a “Private Owner” on FurPetVo

Adopting a dog through FurPetVo’s Rehome service is straightforward, secure, and designed to prioritize transparency and safety for everyone involved — including the dog. Unlike shelter adoptions, you’ll communicate directly with the dog’s current family, giving you richer context and more personalized support throughout the process.

  1. Find a dog you’d like to meet. Start by browsing FurPetVo’s dog adoption page. Use filters like location, size, age, energy level, and more. To see dogs available for rehoming, select the “Cared For” filter and choose “Private Owner.”
  2. Submit your application. Click “Apply Online” on the dog’s profile. The application asks about your living situation, pet experience, daily routine, and home environment — helping the current pet parent assess compatibility.
  3. Start a conversation. Once your application is reviewed, you’ll be able to message or call the current pet parent directly. This is your chance to ask thoughtful questions — about training, favorite toys, reactions to other animals, or any medical needs — so you can determine if it’s truly the right fit.
  4. Schedule a meet-and-greet. When both sides feel comfortable, arrange an in-person meeting. FurPetVo recommends neutral, public locations — like quiet parks or pet-friendly cafes — to ensure safety and comfort for everyone. Many adopters and pet parents choose to meet at participating PetSmart® stores (in California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas), where FurPetVo offers designated, welcoming spaces.
A cheerful adopter and current pet parent shaking hands near a leash and water bowl, with a relaxed dog sitting calmly beside them

Adopters who complete their meet-up through FurPetVo at PetSmart® receive a complimentary FurPetVo Adopter Kit — valued at over $350 — featuring discounts on premium food, durable toys, grooming supplies, and wellness essentials.

  1. Finalize the adoption. If the meet-and-greet goes well and both parties agree it’s a match, the current pet parent will send you a legally sound adoption and rehoming agreement. Once signed, ownership transfers to you — officially welcoming your new companion into your home and heart.

Taking Legal Ownership of Your New Dog

The signed rehoming agreement serves as your official proof of guardianship. After signing, take these important next steps:

  • Request copies of all veterinary records, vaccination history, and parasite prevention documentation.
  • Update your dog’s microchip registration with your name, address, and phone number — this is essential for quick reunification if they ever get lost.
  • Check your city or county requirements for dog licensing and tags, then complete registration promptly.

Keeping these documents organized ensures your new friend is fully integrated — legally and lovingly — into your family.

Close-up of hands holding a printed adoption agreement next to a dog’s collar and ID tag

Benefits of Adopting Directly from Another Family

Choosing a rehomed dog isn’t just convenient — it’s meaningful for dogs, families, and communities alike:

  • Less stress for the dog: Moving straight from one caring home to another avoids the noise, uncertainty, and disruption of shelter life — leading to faster bonding and smoother adjustment.
  • Transparency about personality and history: The current family can tell you exactly how your dog reacts to thunderstorms, walks on-leash, or meeting new people — insights no shelter staff could replicate.
  • Reduced strain on shelters and rescues: Every successful FurPetVo Rehome adoption means one less dog entering an already overwhelmed system — freeing up resources for emergency intakes, strays, and medically complex cases.
  • Inclusive adoption opportunities: Some shelters have strict policies (like not placing dogs with renters or young children). FurPetVo’s direct model encourages open, respectful dialogue — giving more families fair access to loving companions without turning to breeders or pet stores.
  • Peace of mind for current pet parents: Families facing difficult life changes deserve support. FurPetVo helps them honor their bond with their dog by placing them thoughtfully — with verified, caring adopters — rather than surrendering them to uncertain outcomes.

Red Flags to Avoid

FurPetVo works hard to verify listings and protect adopters — but staying alert is always part of responsible pet adoption. Watch for these warning signs when communicating with a pet parent:

  • Requests for payment before you’ve met the dog or completed the FurPetVo application process.
  • Refusal to meet in person — or, if distance is a factor, unwillingness to connect via video call.
  • Failure to provide current vaccination records or veterinary documentation.
  • Inconsistent details about the dog’s age, behavior, health history, or known sensitivities.
  • Reluctance to share the dog’s medical history or the name of their veterinarian.
  • Creating false urgency — such as pressuring you to decide within hours or claiming “others are waiting.”
  • Insisting on meeting at their home instead of a safe, public location.
  • Asking for unusually high rehoming fees (beyond the typical $25–$150 range).
  • Demanding payment to “hold” the dog before your first meeting.
Side-by-side comparison: a warm, well-lit living room scene showing a happy dog with its new family versus a crowded shelter kennel

Commonly Asked Questions

How can I find rehomed dogs near me?

Visit furpetvo.com and go to the dog search page. Enter your ZIP code and use the “Rehome” filter to view dogs currently available for adoption from private owners in your area.

Is a deposit normal when adopting from private owners?

A small, refundable deposit may be requested to temporarily hold the dog during your screening period — but it must be processed securely through FurPetVo’s platform. Never send cash, gift cards, or payments via external apps or wire transfer.

Is a rehoming fee normal?

Yes — most pet parents request a modest rehoming fee ($25–$150) to help offset costs like vaccinations, microchipping, spay/neuter surgery, or recent vet visits. This fee reflects care and responsibility — not profit — and is clearly disclosed upfront on each listing.