Rehoming Q& A

​

Why are some Dela Doodles available for rehoming?

Life happens. While every family adopts with the intention of keeping their dog forever, circumstances such as health changes, military moves, financial hardship, divorce, allergies, changes in work schedules, or other unexpected life events can make rehoming the best decision for both the family and the dog.

Our goal is never to judge. Our goal is to help.

​

Why do I have to go through Dela Doodles?

Every Dela Doodle puppy goes home with a contract stating that they may not be surrendered to a shelter, rescue, or rehomed without our knowledge and approval.

​

We know our puppies, we know their temperaments, and we have a trusted network of families actively looking to adopt an older Dela Doodle. By working together, we can ensure each dog is placed in a safe, loving, and carefully vetted home.

 

Are these dogs "problem dogs?"

Sometimes, but most of the time, no.

​

The majority of our rehomes happen because life changes—not because there's anything "wrong" with the dog. Military relocations, financial hardship, health issues, family changes, and other unexpected circumstances are the most common reasons families reach out to us.

​

That said, rehomed dogs are individuals, just like people. Some may have quirks, fears, separation anxiety, resource guarding, leash reactivity, or other behaviors that require understanding and continued training. On rare occasions, a dog may have more significant behavioral concerns.

​

I believe complete transparency is the only way to create successful matches. Before any Dela Doodle is listed for adoption, I ask the current family detailed questions about their dog's temperament, medical history, daily routine, training, and any behavioral concerns. If a dog has a history of aggression or other significant behavioral challenges, that will always be disclosed before placement.

​

My goal is never to "sell" a dog. My goal is to find the right home for that individual dog. Sometimes that means saying, "This isn't the right fit," and that's okay. I'd rather make the right match than rush the process.

Every Dela Doodle deserves a family that understands them, and every family deserves to know exactly what they're committing to.

 

How do you choose the new family?

Every potential adopter goes through our application and screening process.

We consider:

• Lifestyle and activity level

• Previous dog experience

• Home environment

• Other pets

• Children in the home

• The individual needs and personality of each dog

Our goal isn't simply to find the first family interested. It's to find the right family.

 

Do rehomed dogs come with a health history?

Yes. Whenever possible, we provide veterinary records, vaccination history, spay/neuter status, medications, training information, and anything else the current family shares with us.

Transparency is extremely important to us. If we know it, you'll know it.

 

Can I meet the dog first?

In almost all cases, no.

We understand this may not be the ideal situation, and we know it can feel like a leap of faith. However, after more than 10 years of placing rehomed Dela Doodles, we've found that the most successful transitions happen when families make a wholehearted commitment from the very beginning.

​

A rehomed dog is experiencing one of the biggest changes of their life. They're leaving the only home they've known and learning an entirely new routine, family, environment, and sometimes new canine companions. During an initial meeting, many dogs are understandably anxious, confused, or overwhelmed. Likewise, a dog meeting your family or resident pets for the first time in an unfamiliar setting is not an accurate reflection of how they will behave once they've had weeks to decompress and settle into their new home.

Because of this, we do not offer meet-and-greets, trial periods, or "test runs."  We have found these experiences often create uncertainty for both the dog and the family rather than setting everyone up for long-term success.

​

Instead, we spend a great deal of time getting to know every dog in our program, including their temperament, personality, quirks, history, and needs. We also carefully vet each adopting family so we can make the best possible match.

​

One thing we've consistently noticed is that the families who have the greatest success are the ones who are fully committed from day one not families with one foot in and one foot out. Many of our rehoming families have shared that while they were initially nervous about not meeting their dog first, they ultimately appreciated entering the relationship with the mindset of, "This is our dog, and we're going to help them succeed NO MATTER WHAT."

​

If you're looking for a dog with very specific traits or you'd like the opportunity to shape your dog's experiences from the very beginning, we encourage you to consider one of our puppies instead. Rehomed dogs are wonderful, but they come with a past, an established personality, and an adjustment period that requires patience, grace, and commitment.

 

Is there a rehoming fee?

It depends.

Every rehoming situation is unique, so fees are discussed individually rather than listed publicly.

No Dela Doodle is rehomed completely free of charge. Even if the rehoming fee is modest, it's important to remember that doodles are still a significant long-term commitment. Routine grooming every 6–8 weeks, veterinary care, quality nutrition, training, and everyday expenses all continue long after adoption.

In some situations, a reduced rehoming fee may be offered if the adopter agrees to complete the dog's spay or neuter, when appropriate.

Our priority has never been collecting a fee. Our priority is finding a stable, loving, lifelong home where each dog can thrive.

 

What if I'm interested in adopting?

Simply complete our Rehoming Application.

If we believe you're a great match for one of our available dogs, we'll contact you to discuss the next steps. Because every dog is different, our goal is always to find the best fit for both the family and the dog—not simply process applications in the order they're received. Please leave detailed information on your rehoming application. 

 

How long does the rehoming process take?

Every situation is different. Some dogs are matched with their new family within a few days, while others may take several weeks or longer. Communication during the screening process is crucial. 

We never rush the process. Our priority is finding the right home, not simply the next available home. We appreciate your patience as we work to make the best lifelong match for every Dela Doodle.

 

What if I own a Dela Doodle and need to rehome them?

First, thank you for reaching out to us.

We understand that life can take unexpected turns, and asking for help is one of the most responsible things you can do.

Per your Dela Doodle contract, no Dela Doodle may be surrendered to a shelter, rescue, or rehomed without our approval. Please contact us before making any other arrangements. We'll gather updated information about your dog, answer any questions you have, and begin searching for the right family through our trusted network of approved applicants. If someone you personally know is interested in adopting your dog, we're happy to help vet them as well.

Our commitment to our puppies doesn't end when they leave our home. We believe responsible breeding is a lifelong responsibility.

Once a Dela Doodle, always a Dela Doodle. ❤️