Rehome My Yorkie in South Africa
Life changes. Your Yorkie still deserves safety, love and the right home. SA Yorkie Rescue (SAYR) helps owners across South Africa plan safe, suitable next steps for their Yorkshire Terriers — private, respectful and completely judgement-free. You are not the first person to face this, and you are doing the right thing by seeking help.
Complete the official form with your Yorkie's details, location, deadline and circumstances. The team reviews urgency and available options case by case; a response time, foster option or placement cannot be guaranteed.
You are not alone
Every month, responsible Yorkie owners across South Africa face the same difficult decision. Moving to a no-pets complex, emigrating, caring for an elderly parent, struggling financially, dealing with divorce or family changes — these are real, common reasons for rehoming. They are not failures. They are life happening, and reaching out for structured help is the most responsible thing you can do.
The people who contact SAYR are usually heartbroken, embarrassed, overwhelmed, or afraid of being judged. You will not find judgement here. What you will find is practical, honest guidance and a welfare-first process that puts your Yorkie's safety first.
What a safe rehoming process should include
Tell the rescue about your Yorkie — age, health, behaviour, why you need help, and how urgent the situation is. The more detail you share, the better the team can plan.
The team reviews your case based on welfare need, urgency, location, and available foster capacity. Senior dogs, bonded pairs, and medical needs are assessed carefully.
A foster option may sometimes be considered when genuinely needed and when a suitable foster home is available. The surrender family can share the dog's personality, habits and needs; any foster option depends on genuine need and availability.
If a suitable placement is identified, the Yorkie may be matched to a screened adopter based on suitability. Approval and placement are not guaranteed.
What NOT to do: the risks of private rehoming
When you are under pressure, it is tempting to post on Facebook, ask a WhatsApp group, or list your Yorkie on a classifieds site. Please think carefully before doing this. Small breeds like Yorkies are specifically targeted by:
- Scammers who pose as loving homes but resell or exploit the dog
- Backyard breeders looking for free or cheap breeding dogs
- Impulse adopters who take the dog without understanding the commitment
- Dog-fighting rings that use small dogs as bait (this is rare but real in South Africa)
Even well-meaning private adopters often lack screening. The dog may be rehomed again within weeks or months when the new owner realises the commitment. A rescue-led process protects against all of this.
How SAYR helps
Common reasons owners rehome
These are the situations SAYR hears about most often. Click through for specific guidance on each one:
Frequently asked questions
How do I start the rehoming process?
Complete the official SAYR surrender form on yorkierescue.co.za. Include your Yorkie's age, health, behaviour, location, and why you need help. The more detail you provide, the faster the team can respond.
Will I be judged for rehoming my dog?
No. SAYR exists specifically because life circumstances change. The team understands that rehoming is often the most responsible decision — far better than keeping a dog in an unsuitable situation or giving them away unsafely.
Can I choose the new owner myself?
The rescue team manages final matching based on welfare and suitability. You can share what kind of home you hope for, but the matching process prioritises the dog's long-term safety and fit.
What if my Yorkie has behaviour problems?
Be honest about behaviour concerns in the intake form. Biting, separation anxiety, not coping with other dogs — these are common and the team needs to know about them to review available options. Hiding problems leads to failed placements.
What happens after I submit the form?
The team reviews the circumstances, urgency, location and available options. If next steps are available, someone may contact you; a response time, foster option or placement cannot be guaranteed. Read the full surrender process.
Ready to rehome your Yorkie safely?
Complete the official surrender form now. It is private and respectful. The team reviews the circumstances and available options case by case; a response time, foster option or placement cannot be guaranteed.
Is your Yorkie rehoming situation urgent?
Complete the official surrender form so the team has the dog's health, behaviour, location and deadline. If you also need to alert the team quickly, use the official WhatsApp or phone line below. A message or call does not replace the form and cannot guarantee immediate placement.
How SAYR manages rehoming
SA Yorkie Rescue primarily coordinates carefully managed home-to-home rehoming. Where safe and practical, a Yorkie remains with the surrender family while SAYR manages applications, screening, matching and the handover. A foster option may sometimes be considered when genuinely needed and when a suitable foster home is available.
The public process
Surrender → Application → Case Review → Matching → Approval → Handover
Applications and enquiries do not guarantee approval or placement. Matching is not first-come-first-served. Available options depend on the individual case and current capacity.