And what ethical rehoming actually needs instead
Rehoming a dog is one of the hardest decisions someone can make.
Yet for thousands of people every month, the only visible option is a Facebook group.
At first glance, these groups look like community support. In reality, they are often overwhelmed, chaotic, and emotionally unsafe â not just for dogs, but for the humans involved too.
And thatâs not because people donât care.
Itâs because the system is broken.
The problem isnât Facebook â itâs overload
Facebook rehoming groups were never designed to handle the volume, urgency, or complexity of dog rehoming.
Good people post in distress.
Adopters message dozens of times with no response.
Moderators burn out.
Dogs fall through the cracks.
Thereâs no structure, no vetting, no safeguarding, and no accountability. Everything relies on speed and visibility â the opposite of what animal welfare needs.
Why good people are judged instead of supported
Many people rehoming a dog already feel ashamed.
Theyâre navigating changes in housing, health, family breakdown, domestic abuse, or financial pressure.
Instead of support, theyâre often met with:
- Public judgment
- Demands for explanations
- Pressure to give the dog away quickly
This creates rushed decisions â and rushed decisions put dogs at risk.
Ethical rehoming isnât abandonment
Rehoming done ethically is an act of responsibility.
It means:
- Taking time to find the right match
- Being honest about the dogâs needs
- Protecting both the dog and the adopter
- Accepting that âany homeâ is not good enough
But none of that is supported in a Facebook comment thread.
What ethical rehoming actually needs
For rehoming to work safely, there needs to be:
- Clear expectations
- Vetting on both sides
- Private, respectful communication
- Safeguards against selling, scams, and pressure
- A process that prioritises welfare over speed
This is not something social media platforms were built to provide.
Why HomeWagger exists
HomeWagger was created because too many dogs â and too many good people â are being failed by systems that were never designed for rehoming.
HomeWagger is:
- Not a marketplace
- Not about speed
- Not about judgment
Itâs a structured, ethical rehoming platform designed to:
- Support people who are doing their best
- Help adopters show theyâre responsible and ready
- Reduce pressure on shelters by improving matches
- Put welfare first, always
A better way forward
Facebook groups will always exist. And they help in moments of crisis.
But dogs deserve more than a comment section.
And people deserve support, not shame.
Ethical rehoming isnât about finding any home.
Itâs about finding the right one.
If you believe rehoming should be done with care, transparency, and dignity, youâre already part of the solution.