Companion Animal Rehoming Success Factors

Rehoming success — whether a companion animal stays in its new home long-term — depends on matching, preparation, and support. Understanding success factors improves outcomes for animals and adopters.

Key Facts

Return rates to rescue organisations are estimated at 10-30% within the first year
Mismatch between adopter expectations and animal needs is the most common return reason
Pre-adoption counselling significantly reduces return rates
Post-adoption support in the first weeks reduces the likelihood of return
Breed-specific rescue organisations have lower return rates due to better matching

Welfare Considerations

Every return of a rehomed animal to a rescue organisation represents a welfare harm — the animal experiences loss of a new home and return to the stress of shelter environment, and may develop behaviour problems from repeated disruption. The welfare investment in successful rehoming includes both careful matching (ensuring adopter lifestyle, experience, and expectations align with the specific animals needs) and post-adoption support during the adjustment period when most returns occur. Rescue organisations that invest in these processes achieve lower return rates and better welfare outcomes for the animals they place.

What You Can Do

Be completely honest with rescue organisations about your lifestyle and experience level
Accept the rescue organisation's matching judgement even if it means waiting for the right animal
Engage with post-adoption support offered by your rescue organisation
Report difficulties early rather than struggling alone and potentially returning the animal
Support rescue organisations that invest in pre-adoption counselling and post-adoption support