Rehoming my beloved boy. Only 11 months. How?

[TetleysSurpassesYorkshireTea]

We got our gorgeous Maltese pup in April when he was 10 weeks ol

Contact your local dog shelter/vet/animal rescue to ask for advice on rehoming.

Why are you rehoming?

Contact the breeder first
Then try

maltese breed rescue

Oops....sneezed and pressed enter! [Grin].

He is adorable, healthy and a bundle of joy. Sadly, due to my daughter having being diagnosed with ASD and being sensitive to noise/licks, coupled with a relationship breakdown and my own health issues, we are going to have to rehome him.

We have asked the vets if anyone there can rehomr but no joy. I would hate to give him to a shelter.

How do I go about finding a new home for my lovely boy? Any advice would be welcome.

He is the most gorgeous Maltese. KC registered. Please help because I just want to do the right thing for him.

Any decent breeder will have got you to sign a contract to say he's returned to them in the event that you're unable to keep him at any stage. They should be your first port of call.

We are looking into a rescue dog and would happily keep in touch but i imagine best to go through a rescue centre as they will assess dog’s temperament and suitability with children etc first, often with a foster family

Breeder and then breed rescue if no joy

The breeder didn't sign a contract. We got all the KC documents but no contract. I don't even have their details anymore as they moved out of area.

Breeder first,m then rescue centre - much safer than privately rehoming in- you would have no guarantees and no control of him being sold on, whereas a a rescue centre will do home checks and rescue back up for life.

Are you in the UK? If you give me an idea of area I can suggest a few foster based rescues.

Echo breeder & then breed specific rescue. Please don't try & do it privately alone

I can understand why you're against the shelter, though they could also help put you in touch with local charities that might be able to foster him and help search for a new home.

There are charities that specialise by breed. Whatever you do please do not go down the Gumtree/pets4homes route.

@Buildingquote ......we chose our breed as we have an 8 year old and wanted pedigree to be as sure as we could be re temperament suitability for children. To be honest, our dog is bombproof. He comes with me on the school run and gets fussed over by dozens of small hands every day. His response is to lick them and roll over for tummy tickles.

He has the best temperament of any dog I have ever known. He loves everyone and even wants to play with the local cats.

That's why this is breaking my heart. I didnt know I could love an animal as much as this.

It looks as if breed rescue would be the way forwards then.

Good point re people trying to sell him on. I don't want money for him, just the forever home he should have had with us.

I shall certainly contact breed rescue. We are in West Yorkshire for the PP who asked.

Rescue is definitely the way to go if the breeder isn't contactable. A reputable rescue will ensure he's responsibly rehomed and provide back up and support afterwards as well.

Thank you everyone. I have emailed the breed rescue lady. I really appreciate the advice.

Good luck OP. I am so sad for you but try not to worry. Breed rescue is definitely the way to go and they will find him a lovely home.

Good luck with the breed rescue. It really is the best route as you don’t have a contract. I’m so sorry you’re having to rehome.

YY to breed rescue.

If they can't help for any reason, my pick of the national rehoming charities would be Dogs Trust. Regardless of which route you do take, I'm sure he will be snapped up as it sounds like you have done a good job of rearing him through his puppyhood.

try silverfox dog rescue, they are nationwide and specialise in foster based resceu for small breeds.

Thank you so very much everyone. I really do appreciate all the help and advice. It is utterly breaking my heart to lose him, but I have to put his needs and my daughter's needs first.

Some shelters use foster carers - could you put him up for rehoming with a shelter that does this, but keep him with you until a suitable new home is found so he doesn’t have to go into kennels?

We could absolutely keep him until he is found a new home. I cannot bear for him to be in a cage, wondering where we are. He is so happy to see us when we have been out for even 5 mins. He needs his humans.

Oh bless. Good luck. If you’re not well can anyone else walk him for now/give you a break?
Good on you for putting him first. (Even though you must be heartbroken.)

Oh you poor thing, I'm so sorry this has happened. Really hope the breed rescue can help and you find someone to love him like you do.

Yes, we have found other people to help us with him, and STBXH will always walk him for me after work if I need him to.

Thanks Wolfie. I am heartbroken, but he and DD come first.