RAL Courtesy Listing Guide
Thank you for using Home To Home to help your pet find their next chapter. Richmond Animal League (RAL) is proud to partner with Home To Home to offer courtesy listings for pet guardians who want to rehome their animals directly—without bringing them to a shelter. This guide is here to help you use the platform correctly and give your pet the best chance of success.
First Things First: Choose the Right Type of Post
When you click “Post a Pet” on Home To Home, you’ll be asked whether your pet is available for Adoption or Foster. It’s important to choose the correct option:
Select Adoption if you're looking to rehome your pet permanently.
Select Foster if you're only looking for temporary care and plan to bring your pet back into your home.
We’ve seen several cases where people selected “Foster” but described a permanent rehoming situation. This can cause confusion for potential adopters and slow the process. Take a moment to ensure you're using the right listing type before submitting.
Communication Is Critical
All communication between you and interested parties happens through Home To Home. You will not be contacted directly by RAL.
To give your pet the best chance of finding a new home:
Check your email regularly. You’ll receive a message when someone contacts you through the site. Make sure these emails are not going to your Spam or Trash folders.
Log in to your Home To Home account often to view and respond to messages.
Reply promptly. Delays can discourage potential adopters or fosters.
🔔 Important: If we notice that you're not responding to inquiries, we may remove your listing. A successful placement depends on your responsiveness and engagement.
Pending? Please Respond!
Sometimes, a listing will be marked pending while we gather more information before approving it. If your listing is pending:
Please check Home To Home for a message from us.
Respond as soon as you can so we can move your listing forward.
If we don’t hear back, your post may not go live.
Tips for a Strong, Successful Listing
Be honest. Share the good, the quirky, and anything a new home needs to know.
Upload clear photos. Natural lighting and shots that show your pet’s personality go a long way.
Tell their story. Describe your pet’s personality, habits, likes and dislikes, and what kind of home would be a good fit.
Be responsive. Treat messages from potential adopters or fosters like time-sensitive opportunities.
Visit ral.org/rehome for more tips
We're Here to Help
Thank you for doing your part to help your pet transition safely. Courtesy listings are a powerful tool, but they only work when everyone is active and engaged.
If you have questions, are unsure which type of post to choose, or need help editing or removing your listing, please reach out to us at rehome@ral.org.
