Our Pets Are Our Families

Facing the decision to rehome your pet is difficult, and life can be full of situations beyond our control. Since we can’t say yes to every animal needing rehoming, our goal is to provide resources that will assist families with the tools they need to decide what is best for their family, while keeping animals out of the shelter.

Before You Rehome: There’s a Resource for That!

There are many common challenges that leave pet owners feeling like they’re flying without a net. The good news? You’re not alone. Nashville Humane (and others) have resources available to help keep your furry family members out of the shelters and in their loving home with you!

The most common reason people surrender their animals is due to moving to a place where they can’t take their pets. Many people consider surrendering because they are unsure how to go about finding pet-friendly housing, how to travel with their pets or how to help them adjust to a new home. Check out Petfinder, a pet-friendly housing guide, and pet-friendly rentals to get started! If you are looking for a breed-inclusive rental database, visit My Pitbull is Family to search for rentals in the area you are moving to.

Having a new baby is a big, life-changing event for everyone in the household, including your pet! That said, there are millions of families every day who are learning to integrate a new baby into their current family unit. For great tips on successfully integrating your baby into a home with your pet, click here!

One of the most common reasons people want to rehome an animal is if their pet is displaying undesirable behavior. Many unwanted animal behaviors can be corrected, enabling pets to successfully remain in the family. We owe it to them to exhaust all the options. Before attempting to surrender your animal, consider other options or training solutions; Nashville Humane has options and resources available as well. Check out our Pet Support page for more information.

Are you in the military? Going on deployment? Check out PACT for Animals or Dogs on Deployment. These non-profit organizations help active military and reservists who may have pet challenges find an online network of services, including fosters and volunteers who board pets during service commitments.

Decided that Rehoming is Best? We’re here to help!

Nashville Humane is a managed admissions shelter that focuses efforts on taking in animals who are already living in the system, such as a dog in an overcrowded county shelter at risk for euthanasia.

For this reason, we emphasize and advocate self-supported rehoming as this allows the least stressful transition possible for the pet involved – often in contrast to the shelter environment, which commonly amplifies anxiety, aggression, and/or illness. This also allows the pet’s advocate – you, the person who knows them best – to provide the most accurate and detailed information possible to prospective adopters, lending to greater matches often found more swiftly than rescue or shelter placement can be provided. For shelters, when owners utilize self-supported rehoming, precious kennel space is made available for animals most at risk. Self-supported rehoming saves lives!

Looking to rehome your adult dog or cat? Click here!

Looking to rehome your puppy or kitten? Click here!

Have a stray, found, or abandoned animal? Click here!

For further assistance, please visit our Pawsitive Impact Program page.

Abandonment is now illegal in Tennessee, but it still happens. As of July 1, 2025, abandoning an animal is a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense, and a felony if it happens again. We know that life can be hard, and sometimes people feel like they have no other option. We also recognize that the need in our communities is often greater than what shelters like ours can provide. But even then, abandoning an animal is never the answer. Abandoning a pet puts them and the community in immediate danger, spreads disease, and makes it harder for shelters to give them the care they need. If you need assistance with an animal in your care, please call us at 615-352-1010 or fill out the request form to get in contact with a staff member.