rehome
ree-HOHM
/ˌriːˈhoʊm/
To find a new, permanent home for a pet whose previous owner can no longer keep it.
Emphasizes the transition from an old living situation directly or via shelter to a new loving home.
The story behind the word. A straightforward modern compound joining 're-' (again) with 'home', created to describe humane efforts to transfer pet ownership directly without abandonment.
Word relationships
- relocate: 'Relocate' is a neutral term for moving something to a new physical location.
Commonly confused with
- abandon: 'Rehome' is a responsible action seeking proper care, unlike 'abandon' which leaves the animal stranded.
Word family
- rehoming (noun): The act or process of finding a new home for an animal.
Collocations
- rehome a dog
- successfully rehome
- rehome a pet
Example sentences
- "When her elderly owner moved into nursing care, the agency worked quickly to rehome the senior cat with a quiet family." Adoption agency newsletter
Memory hook
RE + HOME = Giving a HOME once again. Find a new home.
When not to use
Do not use when referring to wild animals being released into nature.
Fun facts
- Direct owner-to-owner rehoming reduces stress on animals by skipping the loud shelter environment entirely.
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