PetRehomer Stories
We believe that adopting a pet through the PetRehomer service is a great way to support people and pets. But don't just take our word for it.
Take a look at some of stories showcasing how our service has brought people and pets together!
August 2024
Take a look at some of stories showcasing how our service has brought people and pets together!
August 2024
PetRehomer, animal re-homing charity (petrehomer.org), has helped to find new homes for almost a thousand pets since its launch.
Since registered charity PetRehomer opened its virtual doors to dogs, cats and pet rabbits who desperately need a new home in which to place their paws, the demand for their service has been relentless. This is not an animal rescue centre, nor a foster service. It’s a digital platform supported by a team of animal-loving volunteers who specialise in showcasing deserving pets so that potential adopters can find them. The ultimate aim is to eliminate irresponsible re-homing practices whilst helping to end pet homelessness.
This nationwide re-homing service was launched by Surrey-based founder, Colleen Long, who became increasingly dismayed by the growing number of unregulated pet-posts she noticed on various digital platforms. “It is inevitable that people sometimes seek alternative arrangements for their pets, but I find it unacceptable to give or sell pets to homes that might not be suitable”, explained Colleen. “At PetRehomer, we are non-judgemental. We appreciate that, sometimes, re-homing a pet is the best thing for all concerned. But to pass animals into the hands of people that might not be suitable is unforgiveable. My charity provides a safe alternative and there should now be no excuse for these irresponsible and unkind practices to continue”.
PetRehomer, (part of www.charitybuddy.org), reviews any animal requiring a new home before accepting it onto the platform. Dogs with a bite history and banned breeds, for example, are not accepted. Anyone viewing the pet online is able to apply to adopt, but each one is carefully vetted to ensure they are suitable. Details are passed to the current owner, who is able to select the home they feel is the most suitable for their pet. A home check is then undertaken and if this passes the stringent requirements, a potential adopter is allowed to meet the pet. If all goes well, they can proceed with the adoption. “No animal should be subjected to a minefield of unregulated exchanges”, declared Colleen.
Unique re-homing service
This new model of re-homing is thought to be the only one of its kind and it is proving to be not only popular, but successful. Almost a thousand dogs, cats and rabbits have found their new homes through PetRehomer since it opened. The new service saves animals from needing to enter the care of rescue centres, many of which are completely full.
The majority of people looking to re-home their pets cite ‘a change of circumstances’ as the main reason, together with the cost-of-living crisis. Some pets need to be re-homed due to landlord permissions; illness; allergies; or death of their owners. A small fee is paid by the adopter to PetRehomer and this is put towards running costs of the digital platform and contributions to a neutering fund which can be used to help those most in need.
The founder of PetRehomer (part of CharityBuddy) is Colleen Long: 07771694168 Email: [email protected] The PetRehomer website can be viewed at: www.petrehomer.org
The registered office of PetRehomer is: Maple Farm , Rosemary Lane , Alfold, Surrey GU6 8EZ
Story 1) A cat called Pudding (pictured with Peter Ellis)
Charismatic Peter Ellis, now aged 62, was once a nurse, then a manager within the NHS and he later managed cancer services at Barts and London hospitals. In 1999 he became Chief Executive of Richard House Children’s Hospice in East London, a job that he loved immensely. It was where he met the man who subsequently became his husband, Duncan. Peter took early retirement in 2017, with the joyous intention of renovating his historic home in Norfolk, and enjoying quality time with Duncan. Sadly, Peter suffered a haemorrhagic stroke whilst gardening in 2018, aged just 58. “The stroke bleed was as big as a fist and I nearly died several times”, explained Peter. The stroke left him severely disabled. He spent six months in hospital and developed epilepsy as a result of the condition. Peter has since experienced several falls and broken bones including his hip, pelvis and shoulder. He spends a lot of time in a wheelchair and has lost the use of his left arm and hand.
This would be enough to break most people, but Peter is determined to recover his independence and mobility as much as possible. He is passionate about his physiotherapy and is gradually becoming stronger. Realising that he is not the only person to suffer in this way, he has set up a stroke support group in Diss, South Norfolk, and has documented his journey on a blog: https://mystrokejourney.health.blog/
To aid both mental and physical healing, cat-lovers Peter and Duncan decided they needed a feline in their lives! The couple found PetRehomer online and explained their story to helpful volunteers who run the service. Normally it is up to potential adopters to see which animals are available and then apply to be considered. However, a beady-eyed member of PetRehomer, Pauric, spotted the perfect match almost immediately! Pudding is a beautiful three-year-old Ragdoll cat. This breed was developed in the 1960s and these cats are known for being particularly docile, with an affectionate nature.
Within just one week, Pudding was happily purring in her new home, which is proving to be a perfect match! Her original owner had sadly developed cancer and she was determined to find her precious pet the right home. She read Peter’s story and knew this was the place.
Peter is delighted. “She is absolutely perfect – very friendly, warm and a great companion. I have to say that PetRehomer has been amazing”.
Story 2) A dog named Oreo (pictured with Ann Gibbs)
Ann Gibbs, from Shirley, near Croydon is 81 years young. She sadly lost her dear husband last year and badly needed a friend. She loves dogs and searched rescue centres to find something suitable – not too big or boisterous, gentle in nature and a lover of cuddles. Many rescue centres don’t accept adopters who are over the age of 80, and Ann couldn’t find what she knew she needed.
Ann’s tech-savvy grandsons found the PetRehomer website online. They soon saw pictures of little Oreo, a black Shihpoo, with a white chin and flash on his chest. Being a cross between a Shih Tzu and Poodle, Oreo combines personality traits of both breeds: friendly, adaptable, affectionate and small. At less than two years old, this sweet little companion had already experienced two homes, through no fault of his own. The previous owners realised their busy household comprising eight people and one other dog, was too much for Oreo and he was overwhelmed, growing increasingly fearful of loud noises and chaos.
He moved in with Ann a few weeks’ ago and her quiet home is proving to be a perfect kennel for Oreo! “He settled in really quickly, although he was quite verbal and scared initially”, explained Ann. “He loves my large garden, enjoys our walks together and gets on famously with my daughter’s dog. I can honestly say he fulfils absolutely everything on my wish list”.
Story 3): A cat called Marley (one photo of contented Marley)
A wonderful 80-year-old lady called Ann Travers from Leicestershire has always enjoyed having cats and dogs as part of the household, but her very elderly cat died recently, leaving Ann and her husband feeling bereft. She discovered the PetRehomer website and wistfully viewed dozens of potential felines, until her eyes alighted on Marley. This stunning tiger-like tabby needed to be rehomed urgently due to a domestic abuse situation. A friend of the owner agreed to give him refuge, but he was now being terrorised by three other cats in his new abode. Poor Marley was terrified and confused.
Ann knew that her home would be perfect for Marley and she also knew that this little kitty would help to heal the huge void left by her dear departed pet. She immediately applied to adopt him, via the website. Unusually, because of the urgency of the case, PetRehomer swung into action at top speed. Not only was the home check carried out the same day, and found to be ideal, but the team rallied around to coordinate the speedy arrival of Marley. “It all happened so quickly”, declared Ann, delightedly. “Marley spent the first two days behind the sofa, but he gradually ventured out and now seems so contented. I thought he might be scared of men because of his past, but he’s perfect. We are so pleased”.
Story 4) A cat called Dio (pictured with Cecily and carer Agnes)
Ruth Funnell knew that her 92-year-old mother, Cecily, who still lives in her own home, would find the company of a friendly feline very comforting. Cecily has care in her home 24 hours per day, so she would have plenty of help when it was needed and provision would be made for the cat’s long-term future. Having already adopted cats in the past from rescue centres including Cats Protection, this was the first port of call for Ruth. After lengthy interviews with both Ruth and carer, Agnes, and a request to bring her mother along for a personal meeting, the family were turned down. One of the reasons, apart from Cecily’s age, was the comment that a cat would be scared of a wheelchair.
Fortunately, Ruth found PetRehomer online and realised that there was another way. “It’s so helpful to have found an online facility. I felt angry and patronised, but also upset to learn that age and disability would be held against someone who wanted to give a cat a lovely home. This is so prejudiced - It’s important to allow elderly people to have animals”, she stressed.
Ruth found a handsome Scottish Fold cat named Dio on the PetRehomer website. These cats are said to be able to trace their roots back to a cat named Susie who lived in a Scottish barn in the early 1970s. She just happened to have the characteristic folded down ears, making her look rather like an owl. When she had kittens, they too had the genetic mutation and developed folded ears. The breed became particularly popular after singer-songwriter Taylor Swift posted photos of her own Scottish fold cats on social media.
Dio lived in London and Ruth believes he might have been used for breeding purposes. He was living in cramped conditions and Ruth knew immediately that she needed to give him a better life. “He’s got funny little bent-down ears and turned-out feet like Charlie Chaplin. His past is a bit of a mystery but he is a real character – very vocal, but so affectionate and gentle. I knew he needed a garden – and now he has one!”.
Dio is loved by everyone, including Cecily and her team of carers. His favourite place is in or on the bed with Cecily. He’s made friends with the cat next door and everybody is besotted with him. Carer Agnes will have him when the time comes in the future, but in fact several of Cecily’s carers want him! “I have to say that Jenni from PetRehomer was just so lovely. This charity really is filling a gap in the rehoming market. I truly felt that the priorities of the other rescue facility were wrong – it should be all about the pets and the people”, Ruth concluded.
Story 5) A dog named Parker (pictured with his new bff)
Cathy McCarthy had been thinking about adding a young dog to her busy family for some time, but didn’t want to take on a small puppy, having had only a little experience of dogs in the past. She kept her eye on the PetRehomer website until she saw fox red Labrador, Parker. This older pup was nine months old and had lived with children in his previous home. Sadly, his owners realised their jobs didn’t allow enough time for Parker as they worked long hours. The cost of doggy day care was too high, and Parker wasn’t getting what he needed. They were keen for him to be adopted by someone willing to give him long walks in the woods, games in the garden and further training to exercise his mind as well as his body.
Having applied via the PetRehomer website, Cathy was able to speak to Parker’s original owners and they concluded that hers was exactly the right home. “We had a five hour round trip to collect him, and my two boys were very excited”, explained Cathy. “Parker took a while to settle in, and PetRehomer was able to put us in touch with a behaviourist so that we could learn how to help him. This is a dog with boundless energy and enthusiasm, which is what we wanted in our busy family, but we had less experience of how to create calm”.
Parker has been with Cathy, her partner and two boys: Reuben (aged 11) and Soren (aged 8) for six months now and things are going so well. “He’s a quick learner but is very patient with the children. I’ve learnt that fox red labs are always lively, and we’re happy with that, but he’s definitely a lot calmer than his nine-month-old self! We have all adjusted to the chaos and companionship our new family member has brought, everyone comments on what a lovely dog he is and we do feel lucky to have been able to give him a new home”.
