How to Rehome a Dog Responsibly in Nairobi

People rehome dogs for many reasons: relocation, a new baby, a change in work, a landlord, allergies, or a dog whose needs have outgrown the household. Choosing to rehome is not a failure. Doing it carelessly can be. Here is how to give your dog the best chance of a good new life.

First: is rehoming the only option?

Many dogs are given up because of behaviour that can be improved: jumping on visitors, pulling, escaping the compound, barking, chewing or fear. If that is your reason, talk to a trainer before deciding. A few sessions of behavioural training or obedience training sometimes change everything.

Get your dog ready

• Vet check. Make sure vaccinations (including rabies), deworming and tick control are up to date. Gather the vaccination card and any medical records.
• Spay or neuter if your vet recommends it. It reduces the risk of unplanned litters in the new home.
• Write a profile. Age, breed or type, sex, size, diet, routine, health issues, and how the dog behaves with children, visitors, cats, other dogs and when left alone.
• Be honest. If your dog has bitten, guards food, climbs walls or chases cats, say so. Hidden problems are the main reason rehomed dogs are returned or end up in worse situations.

Choose the home carefully

Avoid giving your dog away to the first person who replies to a post, and be cautious about anonymous classified adverts. Ask questions:

• Have they owned dogs before? What happened to them?
• Is the compound fully fenced, with a secure gate?
• Who will care for the dog day to day? Will it live with the family or be kept chained or alone?
• Can they afford food, vaccinations, tick control and vet care?
• Do they have children, other dogs or cats?

If possible, visit the new home or ask for photos and a video call. A responsible adopter will not mind questions.

Red flags

• They want the dog “for guarding” but have never handled a large dog
• They plan to keep the dog permanently chained
• They want an unspayed female “for breeding”
• They are not interested in the dog’s history or health
• They pressure you to hand over the dog immediately

The handover

• Arrange a meeting first, ideally on neutral ground and then at the new home.
• Send the dog with its usual food (enough for a gradual switch over a week), bed or blanket, lead, collar, any medication and the vaccination card.
• Share the routine: feeding times, walks, commands the dog knows.

Helping a rehomed dog settle

If you are the new owner:

• Go slowly. Give the dog a quiet space and a predictable routine. Many dogs take days or weeks to relax, and months to feel fully at home.
• Secure the compound. Newly rehomed dogs often try to go back to their old home. Check fences and gates and keep the dog on a lead outside.
• Limit visitors in the first days.
• Introduce other pets gradually, under control.
• Start training gently. Simple commands and rewards build trust.

How G.A.P can help

Our dog rehoming service assesses the dog, matches it with a suitable home and follows up after the handover. If you are adopting, we can help the new dog settle with training support. Send us a WhatsApp message to talk it through.

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This guide is general information from G.A.P on Everything Dogs, not veterinary advice. If your dog is unwell, injured or has eaten something toxic, contact a vet straight away.